Testosterone is a sex hormone that helps develop male characteristics during puberty in boys and has a central role in maintaining healthy sexual function, energy and body composition in adult males. In some men, a deficiency of this hormone causes hypogonadism that can lead to delayed puberty, impotence or other hormonal imbalances. A study published in the "International Journal of Clinical Practice" in 2006, estimated that approximately 13 million men in the U.S. experience testosterone deficiency. However, testosterone supplements such as topical cream preparations can help treat this condition.
Body Composition
Testosterone assists in creating muscle mass and lean tissue in males. In a study published in a 2005 issue of "Reviews in Urology," a team led by Dr. John D. Dean of the Salisbury Clinic in the U.K. tested a topical testosterone medication on men with a deficiency and found a significant increase in body composition after treatment. Bone mineral density improved, and there was an increase in lean body mass as well as a decrease in fat mass.
Hair
There is a direct relationship between testosterone levels and the amount of body hair, which can vary from one person to another. For instance, in some men, testosterone promotes hair growth on the abdomen and back while at the same time leading to less hair on the scalp. Testosterone cream treatments may not cause a huge increase in your beard growth or thickness, but there is usually a noticeable difference in hair growth in other areas, such as the arms, legs, chest, belly and back.
Sexuality
Several randomized, controlled studies showed that a topical testosterone treatment significantly improved sexual motivation, desire, performance and function, even within the first two weeks of treatment, according to a report published in the March 2006 edition of "Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy." A separate study at Egypt's Assiut University Faculty of Medicine found that a topical cream with testosterone and vasoactive agents showed promise as an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction associated with aging. Testosterone cream can also significantly improve low libidos in menopausal women, as research conducted at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick Australia discovered.
Voice
Testosterone makes the vocal cords elongate during puberty, leading to a deeper male voice, something that may be lacking in men with a deficiency of the hormone. Testosterone therapy can lead to a deepening of the voice in both men and women.
Side Effects
The most common side effect associated with testosterone cream is an allergic reaction at the site where the cream was applied. Other common reactions include increased red blood cell count, headache and increased blood pressure. More serious side effects may include swelling of your ankles, feet or body, with or without heart failure, particularly if you already have heart, kidney, or liver disease; enlarged or painful breasts; sleep apnea; blood clots in the legs; and an increased prostate-specific antigen level that may lead to an increase in the risk for prostate cancer. The cream can also be transferred from one person to another, with cases of premature signs of puberty happening in young children who were accidentally exposed to testosterone through contact with men using the cream.
References
- "Reviews in Urology": Long-Term Effects of Testim® 1% Testosterone Gel in Hypogonadal Men
- Testim Testosterone Gel: Proven Solutions
- National Institutes of Health: Testosterone Topical
- "International Journal of Impotence Research": The effect of topically applied vasoactive agents and testosterone versus testosterone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in aged men with low sexual interest.
- Breast Cancer.org: Testosterone Cream for Women?
