What Are the Risks of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men?
As men age, testosterone levels may decline leading to a host of symptoms such as sexual dysfunction, lack of energy, and depression. Low testosterone levels can even alter overall body composition by contributing to loss of muscle mass and increased weight gain. When testosterone supplements are given to men with documented testosterone deficiency, the effects can be gratifying. There is an immediate improvement in mood and general outlook as well as a substantial boost in energy level. While these positive benefits are certainly desirable, is supplementation really safe? What are the risks of testosterone replacement therapy? Testosterone replacement therapy was once regarded with scrutiny because of the fear that giving testosterone supplements could increase the risk of prostate cancer; but recent studies have shown this fear to be unfounded. Giving testosterone supplements for low testosterone levels doesn’t appear to significantly alter the risk of prostate cancer. In fact, testo