Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is associated with serious and potentially irreversible health risks, particularly when treatment is unwarranted. These risks include infertility, early heart disease, and blood clots.
Other reported side effects of taking testosterone include gynaecomastia (male breast enlargement), severe atrophy of the testicles, sleep apnoea, acne, prostate issues, and urinary difficulties. Experts note that once testosterone treatment begins, it can be difficult to stop, as it shuts off the body's natural production of the hormone and sperm.
Despite a rise in prescriptions for testosterone in the UK and US, clinically low testosterone, known as male hypogonadism, is uncommon, affecting less than 2% of men. Symptoms often attributed to "low T", such as fatigue and low mood, are more frequently caused by other factors like stress, depression, obesity, or thyroid issues.
Online influencers and wellness companies are reportedly aggressively marketing testosterone tests and therapies, often without presenting evidence to support their claims. Research suggests many of these accounts have financial interests in selling such products.