- Possible side effects
- Why do these side effects happen?
- 1. Acne
- 2. Stretch marks
- 3. Changes in the joints
- 4. Atrophy of the testicles and decreased sperm
- 5. Changes in sexual desire and impotence
- 6. Breast enlargement in men
- 7. Masculinization of women
- 8. Risk of cardiovascular disease
- 9. Liver problems
- 10. Hair loss
- Who should not use
- How to use
Testosterone injection is a drug indicated for people with male hypogonadism, which is characterized by a disease in which the testicles produce little or no testosterone. Although male hypogonadism has no cure, symptoms can be mitigated with hormone replacement.
Although this drug is indicated for the treatment of male hypogonadism, abuse of testosterone injections or derivatives, also known as anabolic steroids, has been increasingly frequent, as is the case of testosterone enanthate or testosterone propionate, for example, in high competition athletes and amateurs, who use these remedies to obtain greater muscle performance and better physical appearance, without being aware of its real benefits and potential side effects.
Possible side effects
The most frequent adverse reactions that may occur when using testosterone injections are pain, swelling and itching at the injection site, coughing and shortness of breath.
However, for people who use these drugs improperly and frequently, more serious adverse effects can occur, such as:
| Men | Women | Both sexes |
| Decreased testicle size | Voice change | Increased LDL levels and reduced HDL |
| Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) | Facial Hair | Increased risk of tumors and liver damage |
| Decreased sperm production | Menstrual irregularities | Aggressiveness, hyperactivity and irritability |
| Impotence and infertility | Increased clitoral size | Loss of hair |
| Stretch marks | Decreased breasts | Acne |
| Masculinization | Cardiovascular problems |
In addition, in adolescents, the administration of testosterone can cause premature closure of the epiphyses, leading to growth interruption.
Why do these side effects happen?
1. Acne
The probable cause of acne as an adverse effect is related to the stimulation of the sebaceous glands, by testosterone, to produce more oil. The sites usually affected are the face and the back.
2. Stretch marks
The appearance of stretch marks on the arms and legs is associated with rapid muscle growth, induced by steroids.
3. Changes in the joints
The abusive and indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids can increase the risk of injury to tendons, as the osteoarticular structure cannot keep up with muscle growth, inhibiting the synthesis of collagen in ligaments and tendons.
4. Atrophy of the testicles and decreased sperm
When testosterone levels are too high, the body starts to inhibit the production of this hormone. This phenomenon, called negative feedback or negative feedback , consists of inhibiting the secretion of gonadotropins by testosterone that is in excess. Gonadotropins are hormones secreted in the brain, which stimulate the production of sperm in the testicles. Therefore, if they are inhibited by testosterone, they will stop stimulating the testicles to produce sperm, which can cause testicular atrophy and infertility. Understand, in more detail, how male hormonal control works.
5. Changes in sexual desire and impotence
Generally, when you start using anabolic steroids, there is an increase in sexual desire, because testosterone levels increase. However, when the levels of this hormone reach a certain concentration in the blood, our body starts to inhibit its production, a phenomenon called negative feedback or negative feedback , which can also lead to sexual impotence.
6. Breast enlargement in men
Breast augmentation in men, also known as gynecomastia, occurs because excess testosterone and derivatives are converted into estrogens, which are female hormones responsible for enlarging the mammary glands.
7. Masculinization of women
In women, the use of anabolic steroids can cause hypertrophy of the clitoris, increased facial and body hair and change in the timbre of voice, which are male sexual characteristics, induced by testosterone.
8. Risk of cardiovascular disease
Anabolic steroids lead to a decrease in good cholesterol (HDL) and an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL), blood pressure and left ventricle, which are risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, an increase in the left ventricle of the heart has been associated with ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death.
9. Liver problems
The misuse of testosterone injections, in addition to being toxic to the liver and many of the substances used are resistant to metabolism, also contributes to the increase in the levels of some enzymes that are related to liver toxicity, which can cause damage, or even tumors.
10. Hair loss
Hormonal hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia or baldness, occurs due to the action of dihydrotestosterone, which is a derivative of testosterone, in hair follicles. In people with genetic predisposition, this hormone binds to the receptors present on the scalp, leading to thinning and thinning of the hair. Thus, the use of testosterone and derivatives can aggravate and accelerate this process, by increasing the amount of dihydrotestosterone that binds to the follicles.
Who should not use
Testosterone and derivative injections should not be used in people with:
- Allergy to the active substance or any other component of the drug; Androgen-dependent carcinoma or suspected prostate carcinoma, because male hormones can increase the growth of prostate carcinoma; Liver tumor or history of liver tumor, as cases of benign and malignant liver tumors have been observed after the use of testosterone enanthate; High blood calcium levels associated with malignant tumors.
In addition, this remedy should also not be used on children, women, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
How to use
The administration of this medication must be carried out by a health professional, and the doses must be adapted to each person, according to the individual hormonal need.
