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Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer Fact Sheet NCI

Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age

There are limited data in men on active surveillance who are candidates for testosterone therapy. There has been a concern that testosterone therapy might cause progression of previously existing, but undiagnosed, prostate cancer or that testosterone and cardiovascular disease (https://www.ragusaninelmondo.it/) might cause high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PIN) to progress into frank carcinoma. There are a variety of lifestyle treatments involving exercise, diet, and sleep that have been shown to increase testosterone levels. If you don’t have hypogonadism, but you’re interested in feeling more energetic and youthful. The following alternative methods may help increase your testosterone level without the use of hormone therapy. Doctors can determine if you have male hypogonadism through physical exams and blood tests.

Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. All men lose testosterone as they age, but not all need testosterone therapy. To discover if TRT can address your symptoms, it’s best to work with professionals who specialize in hormones, such as the team at The Endocrine Center in Houston, Texas.

The pellets dissolve slowly and can deliver TRT for 3–6 months. The dosage varies between individuals and a person should discuss this with their doctor prior to the first implantation. Topical gel dosage is usually between 40–100 mg per day but this will vary between products. A person should start at the lowest recommended dose and increase gradually, if necessary. Injectable testosterone is an inexpensive and common form of TRT. A person can receive short-acting treatment, which involves a shot every 1 or 2 weeks, or long-acting treatment, in which the second shot is 4 weeks after the first, and all others are 10 weeks apart.

If you do not meet regular donor criteria or your physician requires that you be drawn more often than 8 weeks, the Prescription/Enrollment Form will need to be completed and signed by your physician. This form is valid for one year from the date the physician signs the form. If your physician requires you to be drawn at an interval of eight weeks or longer and you meet donor criteria, you do not need to enroll in this program. You may donate at any neighborhood Carter BloodCare Donor Center or Mobile Drive. Like any other blood donor, you can walk in or schedule your own donations online.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient. Always look at your testosterone enanthate (Xyosted) solution before you inject it. It should be clear to light yellow in color and free of visible particles. Do not use it if it is cloudy, contains visible particles, or if the expiration date on the package has passed. Find explanations for the meaning behind the doctor-speak you hear when trying to research reproductive medicine topics. ASRM has defined the most popular terms in easy to understand language.

Doctors define a normal blood level of testosterone as 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) and higher. According to the American College of Physicians, a man’s testosterone level declines about 1.6% per year beginning in his mid-30s. About 20% of men ages 60 and older have low testosterone levels; that proportion rises to 30% for men in their 70s, and 50% for men in their 80s. You may have seen advertisements and various celebrity endorsements touting the wonders of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). They claim that raising testosterone levels makes men feel younger and stronger, and boosts their sex life. You may start to notice an enhanced sex drive as well as improvements in your mood and quality of life.

Testosterone replacement therapy can be very effective at reducing these risks and improving symptoms. However, testosterone therapy is not without side effects, and therefore, you should be carefully screened by a doctor first to determine if you are candidates for therapy. In some cases, a drop in testosterone may be related to cancer, brain-related diseases, diabetes, obesity and other hormonal abnormalities. “There’s no signal that testosterone therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer,” says Anawalt. Scientists continue to explore whether TRT may stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. And some research has suggested it may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart disease.

For people with low testosterone using TRT, studies show slight increased risk of certain heart, lung and kidney conditions. But there aren’t controlled studies for those using it with normal testosterone levels. Before testosterone therapy is recommended, a doctor may test levels multiple times to determine the best treatment option. The abundance of testosterone therapy options enables patients to select a product that best aligns with their preferences. Topical products are easy to apply and dose-adjust, but they carry a risk of transference to women and children. Although the transdermal patch is easy to apply, it can cause skin irritation at the application site.

Some research has brought up serious risks with the therapy, particularly when taken long term. In 2025, clinics like AlphaMan, a men’s health center specializing in hormone optimization, are rethinking how testosterone therapy fits into modern masculinity. Because when it comes to low testosterone, the stakes extend far beyond the gym. Even high-performing men balancing careers, families, and fitness can find themselves battling unexplained fatigue, diminished focus, low libido, and persistent sluggishness despite adequate rest. These guidelines are provided only as assistance for physicians making clinical decisions regarding the care of their patients.