Synthetic Testosterone: A Solution or a Health Hazard?
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Not long ago, doctors around the world easily prescribed testosterone ampoules to male patients. Now, this drug is under strict control. Doctors can no longer prescribe testosterone pills with a wave of their hand.
Contents of the article:
Taking synthetic hormones is not a panacea
Why? For a long time, everyone believed that this hormone was a fountain of youth and a restorer of sexual desire and vitality. However, the International Association for Health and Wellness has serious concerns about its effects on the body. Here”s why:
- For many men, hormones simply don”t help. They don”t solve problems with erections, general weakness, or obesity.
- The number of men taking synthetic testosterone has quadrupled since 2000, exceeding 2 million. However, studies show that this drug is prescribed by doctors without proper testing.
- Confirmed testosterone deficiency is rare in men under 65. Meanwhile, the main users of its synthetic analogues are men aged 45 to 64. They account for 60% of all men taking artificial testosterone.
- The debate over testosterone use is eerily similar to the debate over hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women. While HRT was once thought to be a panacea for all women”s problems, doctors are now concerned that the consequences of long-term hormone use are already visible. After all, taking synthetic hormones increases the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Doctors are concerned that artificial testosterone may have less serious consequences in the long term.
Unaccounted factors
Read also: Why do women need testosterone and what level is considered normal?
Tell us about sex hormones. You probably know that female hormones are estrogenic and male hormones are androgenic. But did you know that..?
Testosterone is produced in the testicles. Scientists have always known that low levels cause fatigue, depression, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, and muscle loss. All these problems have been addressed with hormone supplementation.
However, it was not taken into account that artificial testosterone causes blood clots. And this is one of the main risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. This hormone may also increase the risk of prostate cancer. These malignant tumors are as common in men as breast cancer is in women.
Currently, endocrinologists recommend additional use of testosterone only for men with truly low levels of this hormone in the blood. Several tests are required to reliably determine testosterone levels. In fact, testosterone levels can fluctuate greatly throughout the day.
Synthetic testosterone
According to a recent report from researchers at the University of Texas, 25% of men taking testosterone were tested only once before using the drug. If this is the situation in the US, what about the situation here?
In addition, endocrinologists do not recommend overprescribing testosterone, even if a blood test shows testosterone deficiency. This can only be done if the patient reports an obvious problem, such as a sharp decrease in libido.
What to do?
In the absence of direct instructions, hormones should not be used. Instead, make an effort to increase the natural testosterone produced by the body. Doctors believe that this is facilitated by losing excess weight and short periods of intense training. Muscles must be loaded regularly — at short intervals, but several times a day.
At the same time, do not forget about a good warm-up. This approach helps increase testosterone production. This is not observed during long-term training, but at lower intensity.
