Millions of men are on testosterone therapy, and millions more are asking their doctor for a testosterone prescription. Yes, testosterone treatment does help men, especially those who have hypogonadism and those who are showing severe symptoms.
However, this treatment is not for everyone. Before you join the bandwagon, be warned that there’s a long list of side effects associated with testosterone replacement therapy.
Forms of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Aside from testosterone pills, other forms of testosterone therapy are also available. Skin patches and testosterone gels are widely used although some men find them inconvenient because they have to be applied daily.
If you’re using a testosterone gel, you also need to be extra cautious to prevent other people from coming into contact with the spot where you applied the testosterone gel. If they do, testosterone could transfer to them and they may suffer some side effects.
You won’t have to be as cautious when you’re using a testosterone mouth patch but applying the patch every 12 hours can also be inconvenient. Some men prefer testosterone injections and pellets because they’re more long-term.
Testosterone injections may be administered either weekly or every two weeks. For testosterone pellets, a new one will need to be implanted every 3-6 months. Testosterone pills, on the one hand, need to be taken daily.
Common Risks of Testosterone Therapy
For first-timers, testosterone therapy can cause immediate side effects. These include acne breakouts and swelling in the ankles. Your breasts may also feel swollen or tender.
When this particular side effect worsens, it can result in gynecomastia which is characterized by the enlargement of breast tissues in men.
This sleep disorder can cause your testosterone problems to worsen since your body makes testosterone at night while you’re sleeping.
One of the biggest concerns about testosterone therapy that doctors watch out for is polycythemia or increased red blood cell count. Sleep apnea can also contribute to a high red blood cell count.
Symptoms of polycythemia include fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, and bone pain. An elevated red blood cell count can also increase your risks of blood clots.
Testosterone replacement therapy has also been closely tied to testicular shrinkage. Long-term treatment with testosterone causes reduced internal production of the hormone.
Because your testicular cells are no longer performing their function of producing testosterone, they tend to atrophy, thus causing testicular shrinkage.
With regard to increased risks of cardiovascular events and prostate cancer, the evidence is mixed. Doctors and scientists have yet to come to an agreement on whether testosterone therapy really causes the risks of developing prostate cancer or cardiovascular diseases to increase.
In the meantime, doctors remain cautious in prescribing testosterone therapy to men who may be at risk of either prostate cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
Other less prevalent side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include:
- Increased fluid retention
- Increased urination, especially at night
- Painful urination
- Increased aggressive behaviors
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness or nausea
- Skin blemishes
- Skin irritation when testosterone is topically applied
- Indigestion
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the lower back
Are There Alternatives to Testosterone Therapy?
Boosting your testosterone has become easier and more accessible, thanks to natural testosterone boosters. Because they’re typically classified as a supplement, testosterone boosters can be purchased even without a doctor’s prescription. They’re widely available at retail stores, in pharmacies, supermarkets, and even online.
Experts often warn men about the dangers of using natural testosterone boosters. Many testosterone-boosting supplements are made with low-quality ingredients and some even contain prescription medicines that are not supposed to be used in supplements.
Nevertheless, there are natural testosterone boosters that are safe, made with high-quality ingredients, and effective.
When buying a testosterone-boosting supplement, be sure to look for science-backed ingredients like Long Jack and Tribulus terrestris.
Tongkat Ali or Long Jack is highly recommended by scientists as a natural alternative to testosterone pills. In one study, close to 80 men with late-onset hypogonadism were treated with Tongkat Ali.
After only a month of treatment, significant improvements in testosterone levels and Ageing Males’ Symptoms scores were already observed.
The authors reported that prior to treatment, only 36% of the participants had normal testosterone values, but this increased to 91% after a month of taking 200 mg Long Jack extract daily.
Several studies show that when infertile men take Long Jack supplements, it can result in increased sperm count, improved sperm morphology, as well as increased sperm motility.
Long Jack has also been widely studied with regard to its pro-erectile properties. Research indicates that the mechanism of action by which Long Jack improves erectile function is by preventing or delaying penile flaccidity.
In a recently published study, researchers reported that Tribulus terrestris is highly beneficial for elderly men suffering from partial androgen deficiency. Male volunteers who participated in the study took a daily dose of 750mg of Tribulus terrestris for a period of three months.
The researchers noted that treatment with Tribulus terrestris significantly improved not only the total and free testosterone levels of the male volunteers but also their erectile function scores.
Another recent study revealed that Tribulus terrestris can cause great improvements in sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as sperm liquefaction time.
Treatment with Tribulus terrestris also resulted in reduced body fat percentage and increased lean mass.
You can enjoy the combined benefits of Long Jack and Tribulus terrestris when you take UltraCore Power. Not only that, but UltraCore Power also gives you shilajit extract, Ashwagandha, Maca, Panax ginseng, fenugreek, zinc magnesium aspartate, L-arginine, Rhodiola Rosea, and Horny Goat Weed.
With such high-quality science-backed ingredients, UltraCore Power promises to deliver real improvements in your testosterone levels, sexual stamina and performance, and as well as athletic performance.
