What You Should Know About Testosterone Therapy and Prostate Cancer

If you’ve ever considered testosterone therapy, you’ve probably been warned about the risk of prostate cancer. For over thirty years, doctors have assumed that hormone therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer, although new research has shed light on the issue. It turns out that men who get testosterone replacement for low T may not really be at a higher risk of cancer.

One recent study published in 2014 analyzed more than 1,400 men who received testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), following them for up to two decades. Researchers found that 14 of the men eventually developed prostate cancer.

That means there was a single prostate cancer diagnosis per year for every 212 men receiving testosterone replacement. Among the general population of men between the ages of 65 and 69, doctors expect a single diagnosis per year for every 200 men. This important study showed that TRT is not only safe but important for prostate health!

Another study published that year found that testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism (in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone and/or sperm) does not cause a higher risk for prostate cancer. In this study, the amount of men on testosterone therapy that had prostate cancer on biopsy was not significantly different from men who didn’t receive hormone therapy. The study also found that hypogonadism itself didn’t protect men from prostate cancer.

Interestingly, new research does find that there is a risk to TRT that most men may not have considered: it can affect fertility. A recent study found that a small number of men who get treatment for infertility can harm their chances of having children if they take testosterone supplements through gels, shots, oral doses, or pellets. This is why it’s important to have your hormone levels monitored if you do get testosterone therapy because levels that get too high can affect sperm production.

Low Testosterone

Testosterone levels vary a great deal by man and even fluctuate a great deal from day to day. Still, testosterone usually declines gradually with age. At some point, many men experience andropause, or male menopause. This does not happen to all men but the symptoms are usually overlooked because it happens gradually and it may be mistaken for natural aging.

Low testosterone can lead to very serious symptoms that affect overall health and mental well-being. If your testosterone levels decline too much, you may experience chronic fatigue, low libido, reduced muscle mass, stubborn weight gain, gynecomastia, and bone loss.

Thanks to new research showing that the fears over testosterone therapy are unfounded, healthcare professionals now recommend testosterone replacement for low T as long as you have your hormone levels monitored. Keep in mind that hormone therapy may not be safe if you have already had prostate cancer, as this hasn’t been studied well yet.

If you suspect you have low testosterone, it’s a good idea to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor. There’s a very good chance that testosterone injections can restore your well-being and help you feel more like yourself without risking your health. HealthGains has locations throughout the United States. If you’re interested, click here and learn more.