|  | Family Health | Mens Health

The Pros & Cons of Testosterone Therapy for Men

Adequate production of testosterone in men helps the body maintain proper muscle mass and strength, bone density, fat distribution, red blood cell levels, sexual function, sperm count and sense of well-being. If you have low levels of testosterone, your doctor can prescribe a testosterone replacement therapy, but the pros and cons of treatment must be considered first.

  1. Testosterone Deficiency

    • Testosterone levels naturally decrease gradually over time, but other conditions can cause a decrease in testosterone levels. According to WebMD, the following can lower testosterone: infection, injury or loss of the testicles, cancer treatments and medications, genetic abnormalities, too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis), pituitary gland dysfunction, inflammatory diseases, chronic illness, chronic kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism and stress. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include sexual dysfunction, decreased sex drive, depression, difficulty concentrating and a decreased sense of well-being. You may experience a decrease in muscle mass, an increase in body fat, cholesterol and lipid level changes, a decrease in hemoglobin, osteoporosis and a decrease in body hair.

    Pros

    • Testosterone replacement therapy combats the symptoms of testosterone deficiency. With testosterone therapy, you can possibly boost your muscle mass, memory and mental focus, libido and energy level, according to the Mayo Clinic. Testosterone therapy can possibly increase bone mineral density, thicken body hair, reduce irritability and depression and improve cognitive function.

    Cons

    • The potential risks may outweigh the benefits, so every factor must be considered. Testosterone therapy may cause skin reactions, acne, baldness, fluid retention, sleep apnea, testicle shrinkage and breast growth, according to the Mayo Clinic. The therapy may stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate, urinary symptoms, growth of already present prostate or breast cancer and excess blood production. Testosterone therapy may limit sperm production, as well. You may experience increased production of red blood cells, increasing your risk of heart disease. Men with prostate or breast cancer should not take testosterone therapy, according to WebMD. Before beginning testosterone therapy, all men should go through thorough prostate cancer screening, with a rectal exam and a PSA test, to avoid some of the possible risks. The benefits and risks of testosterone therapy for men with healthy testosterone levels are still unclear. Men with healthy testosterone levels noticed an increase of muscle mass while on testosterone medications. But they were no stronger than before the treatments.

Mens Health - Related Articles