Testosterone boosters are a popular supplement, but they can come with some serious health risks. While some over-the-counter testosterone boosters may be safe when used sparingly, they can't permanently increase or maintain testosterone levels. All forms of over-the-counter testosterone boosters offer their own unique health risks, such as liver damage, kidney failure, and an increased risk of heart attack and prostate cancer. To ensure an optimal outcome without serious side effects, further research is needed to confirm the present findings and determine if the effects observed in this case report would be statistically significant in larger samples. Testosterone replacement therapy is administered by a doctor and is used to treat low testosterone levels in men and postmenopausal symptoms in women.
Transdermal testosterone includes medicinal patches (Androderm) and gels (AndroGel) that people apply directly to the skin. Testosterone is an androgen hormone that promotes the development of characteristics that people often associate with masculinity, such as facial hair, deep voice and muscle growth. Low testosterone levels, or hypogonadism, can occur because of an underlying medical condition, when taking certain medications, or because of injuries to the testicles. Healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating highly nutritious foods, can help raise the body's testosterone levels to a normal range. The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that men should reevaluate their symptoms within a year and, if they don't improve, stop using testosterone. Even testosterone stimulants that are obtained from reliable sources and used as directed have been found to pose serious health risks.
Testosterone stimulants can also permanently lower sperm counts, leading to significant infertility problems. There are countless safe ways to increase testosterone naturally without having to resort to over-the-counter testosterone boosters. For example, many stimulators contain ingredients such as valerian root that indirectly increase testosterone by helping you sleep better at night.
