Testosterone injections are a treatment for sexual dysfunction in males and for low testosterone in either males or females. They can also be part of gender affirming care.
Although testosterone injections can be beneficial in certain situations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions against using testosterone products for the natural decline in testosterone that males experience with age. It is currently unclear if doing this is beneficial. plant hormone powder
Keep reading for more information on testosterone injections, including their uses, safety, and potential side effects.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Testosterone injections are a type of hormone therapy. They provide a dose of testosterone, which is one of the sex hormones, to the bloodstream.
Testosterone is present in both males and females, but the levels are higher in males. In all people, it performs many important functions, influencing sexual development, libido, mood, and more.
A 2019 review notes that testosterone therapy has become increasingly popular in the United States. Prescriptions of testosterone for males over 60 years of age quadrupled from 2001 to 2011.
However, a significant number of these patients did not have low enough testosterone levels to receive a diagnosis of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is when the testes are not producing enough testosterone or sperm.
This suggests doctors are prescribing testosterone to people who may not need it or do not have low enough testosterone to indicate a medical condition. The authors of the review emphasize that it is still unclear if doing this is beneficial or safe.
The following sections look at the uses of testosterone injections.
Doctors may recommend testosterone injections to treat adult males with low testosterone levels, or hypogonadism.
Low testosterone may lead to symptoms such as:
Testosterone therapy may relieve these symptoms, resulting in:
However, it is important to note that this therapy does not treat the underlying cause of the low testosterone. It is also not necessary or safe in all cases.
Evidence suggests that many people taking testosterone for hypogonadism have never had their testosterone levels checked or, if they have had their levels checked, do not meet the threshold for low testosterone.
The FDA has only approved testosterone for hypogonadism in cases where it is the result of an underlying medical condition rather than aging.
Testosterone therapy is one of the main treatments for male children who experience delayed puberty.
Usually, puberty in males begins between the ages of 9 and 14 years and starts with the enlargement of the testes. Sometimes, though, it does not begin on its own. This can happen for a variety of reasons.
To accelerate development, doctors may consider a short-term treatment with low dose testosterone, particularly if the child is experiencing distress or bullying.
Testosterone therapy is a newer option for reducing the symptoms of menopause in females. Doctors may consider it if:
A 2019 review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that testosterone therapy improved sexual desire, pleasure, and satisfaction in comparison with a placebo or other forms of hormone therapy.
While testosterone does have an association with masculinizing effects, such as hair growth and acne, nobody reported this in the 36 trials the researchers examined, which included over 8,000 participants in total.
However, testosterone did have associations with weight gain. It is also unclear what effect testosterone may have on other aspects of menopause, and the right dosage is also a subject of research.
A 2022 article notes that it is more difficult for females to access testosterone therapy than it is for males. The FDA has approved more than 30 testosterone medications for males but none for females.
Learn more about low testosterone in females.
Testosterone therapy can lead to the development of male sex characteristics while reducing female characteristics. Because of this, it is often part of gender affirming care for transgender men and some nonbinary people.
Testosterone therapy can result in:
A 2023 clinical trial found that, in comparison to no treatment, access to testosterone therapy in adults decreased:
Learn more about T therapy in gender affirming care.
There are several types of testosterone injection, including:
There are two ways of receiving testosterone therapy. People can visit a doctor who will administer the injections into the buttocks, or they can self-administer the injection at home by inserting a needle into the thigh.
A doctor will provide instructions on how to self-administer, if that is what a person chooses to do. During the therapy, people will usually visit their doctor every few months for monitoring.
Treatments could last for a lifetime or be short term, depending on the individual’s circumstances.
Testosterone injections may be safe for some people, when they use it according to a doctor’s instructions.
However, research links testosterone therapy with several complications, such as:
Some types of testosterone therapy can also raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Testosterone is not suitable or safe for people with:
Some potential side effects of testosterone include:
If testosterone levels get too high, a person may have more serious symptoms, such as signs of liver toxicity.
People who are interested in testosterone injections should speak with a knowledgeable doctor. They can advise on whether this is likely to help a person with potentially low testosterone or refer someone to a gender care specialist.
Doctors also play an important role in monitoring the safety of hormone therapies and any side effects that develop. It is advisable that people with any severe side effects contact their doctor as soon as they can.
If someone experiences any of the following symptoms, it is best to seek emergency medical attention:
Doctors may prescribe testosterone injections to treat low testosterone due to certain medical conditions in males. These injections do not cure the underlying condition, but they may help alleviate some of the symptoms.
People can also use testosterone injections to treat delayed puberty or certain signs of menopause. Testosterone therapy is also part of gender affirming care.
It is best to be aware of the possible complications of testosterone injections. Doctors should do a thorough evaluation and, if testosterone replacement therapy is an option, discuss the benefits and risks with the person before prescribing it.
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