Testosterone Booster Side Effects: Facts & Myths

The number of men who rely on testosterone boosters has risen sharply over the past decade with the industry sales of synthetic testosterone topping $2.2 billion in 2013. This indicates a 300% increase in the number of men who struggle with low testosterone levels since 2001. In the past, this was considered an old man’s problem as it mostly affected men between 40 and 60 years.

 Unfortunately, the script is changing fast as a study published in 2017 indicated a fourfold increase in the rate of testosterone intake among men between the age of 18 and 45. This alarming decrease of testosterone among the young generation is credited to the unhealthy modern-day lifestyle that a majority of them lead.

However, the good news is that testosterone supplements have been proven effective by most studies and experiments. Get the facts regarding testosterone booster side effects and what you should expect from using them.

What Is Testosterone?

Before we get to the side effects of testosterone booster pills, it is vital that you first understand what testosterone is, and some of the signs that indicate its deficiency.

Simply put, testosterone is the male sex hormone. It is a type of androgen responsible for the growth and development of male sexual characteristics. Besides the obvious such as sperm production, this hormone is also responsible for the regulation of;

• A man’s sex drive
• Muscle size and strength
• Bone mass
• Red blood cells and fat distribution

Signs of Low Testosterone

Just like any other body chemical, any slight imbalance in its normal levels tends to affect the parts of the body it regulates negatively.

For instance, when it’s lower than it should be it lowers a man’s sex drive, causes erectile dysfunction, mood swings, and low sperm count.

These are some of the early signs. If not addressed, low testosterone also tends to cause loss of muscle mass, strength, body hair, and an increase in body fat.

What Are Testosterone Boosters?

These are supplements containing ingredients, which as the name suggests purported to boost levels of testosterone. A good example is testosterone cypionate.

About Testosterone Cypionate

As noted above, Testosterone cypionate is among the most widely used testosterone supplements for men. It’s a government controlled substance which means the authorities regulate its distribution and availability in the market. Therefore, one must have a prescription to purchase it over the counter.

It usually comes as an injectable solution which the user injects into the muscle. In the past, cypionate was only prescribed to men who couldn’t produce enough of this hormone, a condition known as hypogonadism. However, Off late, testosterone cypionate has become quite popular among bodybuilders as it aids in muscle building. 

How Exactly Does It Work?

Testosterone cypionate is listed among a class of drugs known as androgens. In clinical pharmacology, androgens are responsible for the growth and development of male-focused traits such as muscle mass and a deep voice among many others. Now testosterone cypionate is a type of androgen formulated to treat hypogonadism by topping up on the testosterone that the body is unable to produce.

In other words, cypionate is a synthetic derivative of natural testosterone. It was first developed in 1979 and normally goes under the brand-name depo-testosterone. It’s also available under other generic brands in the market, but they are not as effective as the latter.

Cypionate stands out from most testosterone boosters in the market in that its slow release rate after injection makes it more effective. It also has a longer half-life in comparison to others in the market. 

Dosage

The standard dosage for beginners is usually between 400mg to 500mg for a three months cycle. One is expected to inject it in the specified muscle only three times a week. For those who are already regular users, the standard dose can be increased to a maximum of 700mg which again is for a three-month cycle.

Cypionate is a safe testosterone booster but should only be used when recommended by the doctor. This means that you shouldn’t offer your prescription to someone else, even if you share similar symptoms.

Testosterone Booster Benefits

If used in the right dosage, the booster give the users some benefits. They include; 

Better Muscle Mass

As touched on earlier, the role of testosterone in a man’s body is to trigger the development of male-focused traits. When it’s low in the body, one tends to lose their muscle mass and experience an increase in fats. By boosting testosterone levels, these boosters result in a decrease in fat mass and an increase in muscle size and strength. Nonetheless, this doesn’t happen overnight!

Also, you might note an increase in muscle mass but no changes in strength, which is why you should combine the use of testosterone booster pills with regular exercise.

Improved Libido

The reason why most men use these boosters in the first place is to enhance their libido and for better erections. The good news is that they are effective because balanced testosterone levels mean better response to sexual arousal and improved performance.

Erectile dysfunction is not always caused by a lack of testosterone because the ability to hold an erection can also be affected by other health conditions and medications. It’s crucial that you first get a prescription before you can start using testosterone supplements for men.

Other Testosterone Booster Benefits include;

• Better mood
• Stronger Bones
• Better heart health
• Improved memory and spatial abilities

Testosterone Booster Side Effects

Just like other drugs, abusing the testosterone booster tablets has dire consequences. Some of these side effects include;

Reliance

While they pack some benefits, regular usage of testosterone products like cypionate causes your body to build a tolerance. This means that you may need to increase the dosage for them to achieve the same effect. Also, the more testosterone tablets you take, the more your body becomes reliant on them, which means that it might stop producing testosterone on its own and rely on the supplements. 

Increases Risk To Heart Problems 

Besides increasing dependability and inhibiting the natural production of testosterone, frequent use of testosterone booster pills also makes one more prone to heart diseases. The results of a recent study show that there was an increase in cardiovascular problems among men over the age of 65 who used testosterone boosting products.

The same study indicates that heart-healthy men below that age, on the other hand, became more prone to cardiovascular problems after using testosterone supplements.

Promotes Prostate Tumor Development

Even though no human experiments have been conducted to prove this yet, an experiment report published on PubMed Central in 2014 shows that testosterone supplements promoted the formation of prostate tumors in rats.

 Other Side Effects

• Acne or oily skin
• Reduced sperm count
• Induced or worsened sleep apnea
• Increased risk of forming blood clots in the legs
• Testicular shrinkage
• Enlarged or painful breasts
• Swollen feet
• Increased aggression and mood swings
• Erections that last longer than normal
• Increased hair growth
• Liver damage and failure
• Extreme paranoia
• Kidney problems

Some of these symptoms may lead to long term complications. If these effects are persistent, you should seek medical help. However, sometimes these effects are often mild and might go away after a few days.

In such a case, you should try and reduce your intake. It is also recommendable to consult your physician for prescriptions to avoid the negative effects.

Natural Alternatives To Testosterone Boosters

You must be wondering if there are any alternatives to boosting your testosterone levels. Yes, the natural way! Check out some of the natural alternatives to boosting testosterone. 

Eat Healthily

As mentioned earlier, while in older men low testosterone is caused by aging, low testosterone among the younger generation is as a result of lifestyle choices. Majority of men in the younger generation prefer fast foods over natural healthy foods. Therefore, one way to get your testosterone up naturally is by eating right.

Proteins such as Eggs, beans, beef, dark leafy greens such as spinach, seafood such as tuna, oysters, and shellfish, and berries such as red grapes and almonds are great examples of foods that will help boost your testosterone levels naturally.

Exercise

Endurance and resistance training exercises have been proven to give a boost to testosterone. This is because first, exercising helps you eliminate excess weight which studies show tends to cause low testosterone. Also, resistance training exercises such as weightlifting tend to increase muscle mass which then triggers the body to produce more testosterone.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep deprivation affects your ability to concentrate, impairs your memory and decision-making abilities, and even your levels of testosterone. According to a particular study, men with obstructive apnea are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction which as you know, is caused by low testosterone. 

Another study shows that testosterone levels increase during sleep and slightly decrease when awake. This means that men who get enough sleep are less likely to suffer from low testosterone. 

Bust the Myths by Learning About Testosterone Booster Side Effects Today

The truth is, testosterone booster side effects are real. However, the majority of these side effects only manifest if you use these supplements too regularly, over a long period.

Therefore, to reap the full benefits of these supplements, limit your intake. This will ensure your body doesn’t build a tolerance.

It is also recommendable to combine supplements with other natural testosterone boosting methods. Browse our page for more facts about testosterone.