Are testosterone supplements safe for men?

Why do men need testosterone?

Testosterone has a bad-boy reputation as the aggressive male hormone. This is only a very small part of the picture and doesn't apply to most men. What's more, this perception significantly underplays the role of this hormone in our health.

In men, testosterone is the primary sex hormone, produced in the testicles (largely under the control of hormones produced in the brain). You've probably heard that it's essential for the development of male characteristics as well as the sexual drive (libido) and function.

What you may not know is that testosterone helps the regulation of healthy bone mass, muscle mass, fat distribution, and the production of red blood cells. Its role in these functions means testosterone has an important part to play in both the mental and the physical health of transgender and cisgender men.

Female-to-male testosterone supplements

Testosterone supplementation for transgender (trans) men, known as testosterone hormone therapy (THT), is a gender-affirming treatment. The hormone induces physical male characteristics and suppresses female ones.

As a result, female-to-male (FTM) testosterone supplements help many trans men to feel more at home in their bodies. FTM testosterone helps to align their physical features with their internal sense of gender identity, helping to alleviate gender dysphoria.

This can result in a significant improvement in quality of life. It can also play an important part in mental health, for many helping to relieve related depression and anxiety problems.

"However, not everyone's periods will stop on THT," he adds. "Some people also need to take oestrogen blockers.

"It's also important to understand that changes occur at different rates for everybody, which can in part be due to genetic disposition."

Testosterone deficiency

Testosterone supplements can also be taken when the body is unable to produce enough testosterone - a condition known as testosterone deficiency (or hypogonadism). Low testosterone levels can have a significant impact on a man's health and quality of life.

Often, this condition develops in older men as part of the ageing process. Research also suggests that older men living with obesity and long-term diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure are at an even greater risk.

It can occur at any age as a result of conditions affecting the testicles (sometimes called primary testosterone deficiency) or the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain (secondary testosterone deficiency).

Testosterone deficiency has been linked to several serious conditions, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (like stroke, heart disease, and heart failure).

The condition may lead to a wide range of symptoms, ranging from physical changes such as decreased body growth and muscle mass to mental changes like fatigue and concentration difficulties. It can also lead to erectile dysfunction or even infertility.

If there is an underlying cause for the testosterone deficiency, THT alone is not enough and the condition will also need treating. It's important to note that the underlying cause will also affect the outlook.

Testosterone side effects and safety

There are many significant possible benefits of THT for health and your quality of life. However, as with all medications, there are certain risks and safety parameters to consider with testosterone therapy. As such, it will only be prescribed by healthcare professionals to those who have a medical need - namely for FTM gender affirmation and for those with testosterone deficiency.

Generally speaking, research finds serious adverse effects to be rare when prescribed appropriately. This said, it's important for men to be aware of the possible risks so that they can make an informed decision about testosterone therapy.

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Meeting the requirements

As some adverse health effects are increased with certain risk factors, your doctor will assess you for pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and whether you’re already at high risk for blood clots.

Your age can also increase your risk of developing serious health problems like cardiovascular disease. IMAP advises that pregnant trans men should not take testosterone supplements.

Safe dosage

"Some people don't realise that it's not a case of the higher dosage, the better," advises Brown. "At a certain point, testosterone turns into oestrogen in the body. It's important to know that there are dosage limits in place not to limit effectivity, but for your safety."

The dosage of the testosterone you're taking should be the amount that gives you the optimum benefits with the least amount of relative risk. For both cis and trans men, testosterone supplements can be taken as tablets, injections, skin gels, or patches you apply to your skin.

The dosage that is safe for you to take will depend on a range of factors determined by your doctor. These factors include which supplement form you take (as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and whether you are having THT for testosterone deficiency or as masculinisation therapy.

Monitoring

Brown also points out the importance of regular health monitoring while on testosterone supplements.

Pre-treatment screenings for risks, dosage size, and monitoring are measures put in place to look after your safety and ensure you have a beneficial experience on testosterone.

Unfortunately, in the UK a number of people source testosterone supplementation from places other than their doctor. It's important to understand that medication from unauthorised providers can carry serious health risks.