Acne, ankle swelling, and breast tenderness are common side effects of testosterone. Learn how long the side effects of testosterone last and how. Hypogonadism hinders the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone because of a problem in the testicles or in the pituitary gland that controls the testicles.
Testosterone replacement
therapy, in the form of injections, pills, patches, or gels, can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels in these men.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenues support our nonprofit mission. Testosterone injections increase your testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that is primarily produced by the sexual organs. Usually, a healthcare provider will give you this injection in a hospital or clinic.
A relatively small number of men experience the immediate side effects of testosterone supplementation, such as acne, breathing disorders while sleeping (worsening of sleep apnea), breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles. Doctors also monitor high red blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of blood clots. Your doctor should always prescribe another hormone treatment when you start taking a luteinizing hormone blocker. This other hormone therapy helps prevent an exacerbation of the tumor from causing bone pain.
If the pain continues, the doctor may prescribe medications called bisphosphonates to treat it. You should be able to control it with diet and exercise. However, it's often difficult to maintain a low weight when you're undergoing hormone treatment. Ask a dietitian for advice on how to control your weight. Some of the effects of hormone therapy are reversible if you stop taking them.
The degree to which they can be reversed depends on how long you've been taking testosterone. Clitoral growth, facial hair growth, voice changes, and male pattern baldness they are not reversible. And finally, remember that all the changes associated with puberty that you are about to experience may take years to develop. Starting hormone therapy at age 40, 50, or older may cause less drastic changes than those seen at the beginning of the transition at a younger age, due to accumulated exposure to estrogen over a lifetime and a decrease in the ability to respond to hormonal effects as the age of menopause approaches.
Once you've reached adequate testosterone levels for men, taking higher doses won't cause faster or more dramatic changes; however, they can cause more side effects or complications. Persistent overdoses over time can cause serious side effects, but there isn't much information about a single overdose Time. These hormones can cause mood changes, swelling, and other side effects, so it's recommended that you discuss these medications further with your provider if they are going to be used. The side effects of testosterone depend on the form in which it is taken, but the most common side effects are acne, ankle swelling, breathing disorders when sleeping, and breast tenderness or swelling.
In addition, your healthcare professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Side effects, such as reactions to administration, headaches, and nausea, may improve as the body becomes used to the medication. Now that you've learned about the effects of masculinizing hormone therapy, as well as the risks and specific medication options, the next step will be to talk to your provider about what approach is best for you. When starting testosterone therapy, it's important to watch for side effects or symptoms of serious side effects. The most common serious side effect is an increase in red blood cells called polycythemia or erythrocytosis.
Testosterone therapy has some side effects that are due to long-term use, such as breast development (gynecomastia), weight gain and an enlarged prostate. Thinking about your goals will help you communicate more effectively with your medical provider as you work together to plan your care plan. It's important to remember that you probably won't suffer from all of the side effects on the list, as everyone is different. Older men should also be careful when considering testosterone therapy and talking to their healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Some of these signs and symptoms may be due to other factors, such as medication side effects, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, diabetes, and depression. Talk to your health care team if you think memory problems are having a significant effect on your life. In addition, the FDA has warned against using testosterone in older men to treat age-related decline in testosterone due to the risk of serious side effects. Testosterone side effects are common, and some people are at risk of serious side effects.
