Positive and negative effects of testosterone therapy

Is testosterone therapy a good idea?

Why Testosterone Levels Drop

Testosterone is present in all bodies regardless of sex assigned at birth.

The hormone is only socially associated with masculinity and virility.

Man giving himself testosterone injection

Tom Merton / Getty Images

This decline is slow and steady, unlike the suddenness of menopause that people assigned female at birth experience.

Although testosterone declines with age, advancing age is not the only reason for levels to drop.

In addition, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may exacerbate this.

Further, there are questions about the association between testosterone therapy and cardiovascular events like heart attack.

A Natural Approach May Be Best

The evidence supports keepingtestosterone levelswithin the moderate range.

Although extremely low testosterone can be problematic, restoring youthful levels is risky.

Current research suggests that those assigned male at birth can increase testosterone hormone naturally.

All are safe, natural ways to maintain vitality, health, and strength as you age.

Jeng HA.Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and male reproductive health.Front Public Health.

2013;2(6):e000272.

doi:10.1161/jaha.113.000272

Gagliano-juca T, Basaria S.Testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular risk.Nat Rev Cardiol.

2014;99(1):E9-18.

doi:10.1210/jc.2013-3272

The Cleveland Clinic.Low Testosterone (Male Hypogonadism).