Fitness The Dangers of Hormone Replacement Therapy Uneeb KhanNovember 22, 202102.1K views Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for men is a treatment used in people who have abnormally low testosterone levels. This type of HRT is more often called testosterone replacement therapy. HRT is generally a drug that contains synthetic hormones that can be taken either orally or transdermally. Testosterone replacement drugs are essentially legally sold anabolic steroids. When we talk about anabolic steroids, we mean those used by athletes to improve strength and muscle mass. They are fundamentally illegal and can cause serious health problems. Today they are sold legally in the form of nutritional supplements and hormone replacements. Dietary supplements can be purchased online for free, while hormone replacement supplements require a doctor’s prescription. Legal or illegal, these dietary supplements and hormone substitutes can cause serious health problems. HRT in men, in particular, can have a number of harmful side effects. Contrary to what is commonly advertised by drug companies, hormone replacement therapy is not safe. From fluid retention to prostate growth, hormone replacement therapy can be considered one of the most harmful treatments legally sold in the market today. Table of Contents Toggle Side effects of testosterone replacement therapySpermatogenesis:Tender breasts or breast enlargement:Liver toxicity:Polycythemia:Prostate Growth: Side effects of testosterone replacement therapy Fluid retention: After just a few months of treatment, many men who have been prescribed hormone replacement therapy complain of fluid retention. Swelling usually occurs in the ankles or legs. This is mostly associated with high blood pressure or heart failure. Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for a period of time while sleeping. Many cases of this condition have been reported in men undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Interestingly, while the public has been warned about this possibility, the drug companies have issued several statements denying this fact. According to their conclusion, the studies conducted on testosterone replacement therapy and sleep apnea are weak and need further investigation. Spermatogenesis: The production of sperm in all men depends on the testosterone production of the testes. When hormone replacement therapy is used in men who are testosterone deficient, the testes begin to make all of the natural testosterone. This condition can be either temporary or permanent. For this reason, most doctors prefer to use this form of treatment on men who already have children iv therapy in Scottsdale az. This risk is not just a possibility, but has been shown to be absolute for anyone receiving this form of medication. Tender breasts or breast enlargement: Men have some testosterone that is converted to estrogen but is usually not enough to cause estrogenic side effects like gynecomastia (breast enlargement). The result is feminized traits in men such as enlarged breasts. Liver toxicity: There have been no reports of liver toxicity from transdermal testosterone replacement. However, those who received oral testosterone substitution have been reported by a significant number of men to develop liver problems. Incidentally, this is also the reason why all manufacturers of hormone replacement drugs now point out the possibility of liver failure when using their products. Polycythemia: One of the main side effects of testosterone replacement therapy is an increase in red blood cells and increased hemoglobin levels (polycythemia). This is especially true for older men, as the increase in blood cell mass can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or peripheral blood clots in the veins iv hydration Scottsdale. Prostate Growth: Hormone replacement therapy in men can lead to prostate growth. Prostate growth can cause problems urinating or, worse, encourage the growth of cancerous prostate cells. It is noteworthy that prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in older men and the second leading cause of cancer death.