Low testosterone can have some negative repercussions on your health because almost every physical part of your body—including muscle, sex drive, bone strength, heart health, memory, and even penis size—depends on it. Supplements and drugs intended to raise the body’s testosterone levels are known as testosterone boosters. They won’t stop Father Time from happening indefinitely, but they can help keep your vigorousness up. Here is everything you need to know about testosterone boosters and whether they are really effective.
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What is testosterone?
The androgen hormone testosterone encourages the growth of muscles, facial hair, and deep voice—aspects commonly associated with masculinity. Testosterone is the paramount sex hormone in males but is also found in females, albeit in much smaller amounts. Testosterone affects the human body in several ways, such as:
- Bone density
- Muscular mass
- Distribution of hair growth
- Libido
- The growth of the male penis and testicles
- Sex desire
- The health of female reproductive tissue.
People’s typical testosterone levels vary depending on several factors, including age. Less than 300ng/dL is considered low testosterone by the American Urological Association. Hypogonadism, or low testosterone, can result from testicular injury, certain drugs, or underlying medical conditions. High testosterone levels can also occur in people, usually as a result of using anabolic steroids, adrenal gland tumors, or underlying medical conditions.
What causes low testosterone?
Even though testosterone is essential, falling levels aren’t always cause for concern. According to the NHS, men in their thirties should anticipate a one to two percent annual decline in their T-levels; nevertheless, these figures are unlikely to be problematic.
Testosterone level declines frequently have a connection to lifestyle choices or mental health conditions. Consult your doctor about alternative causes, such as stress, sadness, and anxiety, if you’re suffering from low testosterone symptoms like erectile dysfunction or decreased libido.
If your dropping testosterone isn’t due to a change in lifestyle or psychological issues, hypogonadism—a condition in which the testes release little to no hormones—could be the reason. Hypogonadism in men can occur spontaneously or develop as a result of trauma or infection later in life.
Low testosterone levels have the potential to damage your bones and cause osteoporosis if left untreated. Therefore, seek medical attention if you’re having symptoms rather than suffering in silence. This is where testosterone boosters come in.
What are testosterone boosters?
A testosterone booster or supplement is any natural or artificial drug that increases testosterone levels. These could consist of:
- Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT): This is one medical treatment for low testosterone, also known as androgen replacement therapy. It functions by replacing the testosterone that the body isn’t making.
- Oral testosterone supplements: A person’s body can manufacture more testosterone with some supplements.
- Injectable testosterone: These testosterone esters dissolved in oil are the ingredients for body injection.
- Transdermal testosterone: This is a medication applied topically in the form of gels and patches.
How can you tell whether your testosterone is low?
The signs and symptoms of low testosterone might differ, especially with age. Symptoms can include the following:
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Reduced exercise tolerance and strength
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Excessive sweating and night sweats
- Poor concentration or memory
- Needing to shave less often.
The NHS advises that there can be additional reasons for exhibiting any of these symptoms. Testosterone replacement treatment or supplements could not help when that is the case. A blood test can determine whether low testosterone is present if in doubt.
What sexual functions do testosterone boosters serve?
Only if your T-levels are low can testosterone boosters enhance your between-the-sheets action by increasing your sex drive, energy, and ease of erection maintenance. Excessive testosterone stimulation can have unintended (and even dangerous) side effects, such as breast development, sperm count declines, and shrinking testicles, which may result in infertility. It may potentially result in erectile dysfunction.
Do men need to take testosterone?
Using testosterone pills to raise your testosterone levels without first attending to your fundamental health and well-being is like running before you can walk. Put another way, it’s useless and dangerous for your health if you haven’t laid the groundwork.
A poor lifestyle can both cause and simulate low testosterone. Lack of sleep, high levels of stress, excessive or insufficient activity, and excessive or inadequate body fat are the main offenders. The most crucial things to do are to get fit and active, maintain a decent diet, and get adequate sleep.
Even in cases when testosterone levels are low, taking testosterone boosters without attending to these fundamentals is not going to make much of a difference. A person may utilize testosterone supplements for a variety of reasons. Among them are:
- Boosting libido
- Treating primary hypogonadism
- Gaining muscular mass or bodybuilding
- Enhancing sexual arousal
- Boosting youthfulness
- Boosting vitality
- Elevating mood.
If you have hypogonadism because of being overweight, metabolic diseases, or thyroid issues, your doctor may prescribe testosterone boosters in addition to lifestyle modifications. While TRT may be beneficial in reducing hypogonadism symptoms, it might not have the same impact on those whose testosterone levels are naturally dropping.
The adverse reactions of testosterone boosters
It’s important to rule out low testosterone as the primary cause of your symptoms before starting any supplements. So, what is the main risk of raising your T-levels artificially?
Using testosterone boosters can permanently reduce the number of sperm in your body by stopping your natural production. Additionally, they could expose you to undesirable side effects like mood swings, aggression, acne, and male pattern baldness. You should always contact a specialist before purchasing testosterone boosters to offer yourself the best chance of avoiding these adverse effects.
Additionally, since the FDA does not regulate testosterone supplements, there is a great deal of variation in the quality, purity, and dose of these supplements. The following side effects are associated with certain bodybuilding supplements and products sold as testosterone substitutes:
- Acne, hair loss, and mood swings
- Heightened aggression
- Depression symptoms
- Kidney damage
- Elevated risk of cardiovascular disease
- Liver damage.
final Take
Testosterone supplements and boosters can help keep hormone levels optimal even in older adults, particularly when paired with a balanced diet and frequent exercise. However, their efficacy will vary depending on the kind of booster and the individual using them.
