TESTOHEAL (TESTOSTERONE)

What does testosterone do?

Testosterone and estrogen are your primary sex hormones. Both men and women produce testosterone, but men make more. Alternately, a woman’s body creates more estrogen than a man’s (7Trusted Source).

Testosterone increases as a boy matures. It’s responsible for the maturity of sex organs, increased body and facial hair, bigger muscles, and deeper voices. It also promotes sperm production.

Testosterone levels vary throughout the day, usually peaking early in the morning. Additionally, levels fluctuate over your lifespan and decline every 10 years, usually 1–2 percent per year after age 30 (8, 9, 10Trusted Source).

This could mean you have less interest in sex later in life and possibly fewer firm erections, as well as softer muscle tone.

Aside from aging, there are several other causes that can result in lowered testosterone. They include:

• injury to the testicles
• pituitary disorders
• cancer treatment
• HIV or AIDS
• inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis
• testicular tumors

Testosterone supplements

Hypogonadism is a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone on its own. Testosterone replacement therapy is usually used to treat hypogonadism. However, it’s unclear whether supplements can help.

The Endocrine Society recommends offering testosterone therapy to people with symptoms of testosterone deficiency. In men over 65, treatment should only be initiated on an individual basis and after consultation with the person regarding risks and benefits. (11).

Furthermore, an analysis of 156 controlled trials between 1950 and 2016 where participants were given supplements didn’t find benefits for sexual, physical, and cognitive function, mood, or cardiovascular health.

But since the study also includes individuals without hypogonadism, the results may offer an unclear picture (12Trusted Source).

Heart and prostate risks

In fact, testosterone supplements might cause more problems than they solve. Studies have suggested a connection between supplements and heart problems. One found that some men over age 65 had increased heart problems when they used testosterone gel (13Trusted Source, 14, 15).

Another study involving a group of men under 65 who had a history of heart problems and a group of heart-healthy older men showed that both groups had a greater risk for heart attacks when taking testosterone supplements (16Trusted Source).

Furthermore, while there are contradictory findings, the use of testosterone replacement therapy may increase your risk for prostate cancer and cardiac issues (17, 18, 19Trusted Source).

Side effects

Like other supplements and medications, testosterone therapy comes with risks and possible side effects. This is particularly true if you try to take it for normal aging rather than to treat a condition.

The effects that these supplements may have on your heart and prostate can lead to some potential issues. Complications include:

• sleep apnea
• acne flares
• enlarged breasts
• testicular shrinkage

Other causes of low sex drive

While low testosterone is a common cause of low sex drive in men, there are various other possible causes.

Psychological causes can contribute to low libido. These include:

• anxiety
• depression
• stress
• issues within a relationship

In addition to low testosterone, various other physical causes can result in a decreased sex drive. Some of these reasons include:

• taking medications such as opiates, beta-blockers, or antidepressants
• being overweight
• having a chronic illness

Your healthcare provider can help you determine what’s causing your low libido. And they may recommend counseling if they believe psychological factors are contributing to it.