Testosterone is a sex hormone produced in the male testicles, in small amounts in the female ovaries and in the male and female adrenal systems, according to Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Testosterone benefits the brain, bones, energy level, muscle mass and sex drive. Testosterone injection will increase muscle mass, increase sex drive and improve bone density.
Muscle Mass
Testosterone improves muscle mass as described in a study posted on the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism website entitled, "Effects of Testosterone Replacement on Muscle Mass in Hypogonadal Men" by I. G. Brodsky, et al. The researchers measured the body composition and muscular protein synthesis of five men with low testosterone levels before and six months after starting testosterone replacement therapy. All participants had increased fat-free mass, decreased fat mass and increased muscle mass. It was concluded that testosterone replacement in men with low testosterone levels enhanced skeletal muscle by stimulating the muscle protein synthesis rate.
Sex Drive
Male hypogonadism means the testicles are not producing enough testosterone. In adult males, this condition may cause erectile dysfunction, decrease muscle mass, osteoporosis or mental and emotional changes, according to Mayo Clinic. Testosterone replacement therapy is used to treat hypogonadism when the testicles fail to produce enough testosterone. According to Mayo Clinic, men treated with testosterone replacement therapy tend to have increased sex drive, renewed energy and a feeling of well-being.
Bone Density
Male testosterone levels tend to decrease with age and men with low testosterone levels experience low bone density. In an abstract posted on Pub Med website entitled, "Effects of Testosterone Treatment on Bone Mineral Density in Men Over 65 years of Age." University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers, J. P. Snyder, et al., hypothesized that by increasing the serum testosterone concentrations of men over 65 years to those found in young men, would increase their bone density. One hundred and eight men over 65 years of age were randomly chosen to wear a testosterone patch or a placebo patch for 36 months. The bone density was measured before, during and after the treatment. Ninety-six men completed the entire protocol. The results revealed, that increasing the serum testosterone concentrations of normal men over 65 years of age to the mid-normal range for young men did not increase lumbar spine bone density overall, but there was an increase in those men with low pre-treatment serum testosterone concentrations.
Precautions
Talk with your doctor about any allergies you have, any medications you are taking and your medical history--in particular, any history of liver, kidney or heart disease, cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Testosterone can cause birth defects. It should not be taken during pregnancy.
References
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Testosterone Replacement Therapy
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Testosterone
- Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism: Effects of testosterone replacement on muscle mass in Hypogonadal Men
- Mayo Clinic: Male Hypogonadism
- PubMed: Effects of Testosterone Treatment on Bone Mineral Density in Men Over 65 years of Age
