What is testosterone replacement therapy? Potential risks linked with it

Testosterone replacement therapy, also known as TRT is in vogue lately. The prescriptions for the treatment increased from 7.3 million in 2019 to more than 11 million in 2024. Even younger men are turning to TRT for boosting mood and muscles. Though the FDA has approved it only for certain conditions, it is currently being marketed to improve health, sexual drive, and youthfulness, despite the lack of data on its long-term effects.

What is testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy is the use of anabolic steroids, a synthetic drug, to increase the testosterone level back to normal. TRT can be administered via injection, oral medication, or topically with gels or patches.

Testosterone is naturally produced in the testes (testicles), the sex organs in men, and is responsible for developing or maintaining bone, muscle, and fat, as well as facial and body hair, red blood cells, sex drive, and sperm production. Testosterone is naturally higher in males, but ovaries too produce this hormone.

Signs of low testosterone

• Depression

• Reduced self-confidence

• Difficulty concentrating

• Disturbed sleep

• Declining muscle and bone mass

• Increased body fat

• Fatigue

• Swollen or tender breasts

• Flushing or hot flashes

• Lower sex drive

• Fewer spontaneous erections

• Difficulty sustaining erections

The FDA has only approved the use of testosterone to treat hypogonadism, which is a condition where the testes (also called gonads) don’t produce enough testosterone.

However, currently, it is trending for its advertised claims such as high energy, mental sharpness, and improved sex drive.

It is crucial to know about the potential risks of TRT. Previous observational studies have suggested that long-term testosterone use could increase their risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also linked with the growth of prostate cancer in men. This therapy has also shown a slight increase in the risk of heart, lung, and kidney diseases.


It can worsen sleep apnea, a sleep disorder, in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. TRT can also stimulate too much red blood cell production resulting in blood clot, which could enter your bloodstream and then lungs, resulting in pulmonary embolism. Prior to jumping on the bandwagon, it is advised to consult with your doctor.

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