Testosterone is a sex hormone that is primarily found in men but is also present in small amounts in women. Androgen, or the male sex hormone, is another name for testosterone.
The hormone testosterone is a steroid, meaning it is composed of lipids and has a four-carbon ring structure.
Testosterone may affect muscle development, mood, fat storage, facial hair, sex drive, bone strength, and other factors, testosterone also affects reproductive health.
In particular for men, testosterone is a crucial hormone that, when out of balance, may have a significant impact on daily life.
In addition to these side effects, too much testosterone could worsen sleep apnea and worsen aggressive behavior, body and pubic hair growth, and acne.
What Is Testosterone Injection?
One of the most popular and widely used methods of testosterone administration is injection.
The three testosterones available for injection are testosterone propionate, testosterone cypionate, and testosterone enanthate.
Each form has advantages and disadvantages, including[1] whether it releases into the body slowly or quickly.
The injections are advantageous because they are affordable and quickly distributed throughout the entire body.
The drawbacks of injections include the need for frequent, potentially uncomfortable injections as well as the fact that your testosterone levels start to drop as you approach the next injection.
Hormonal imbalances may be effectively treated with testosterone injections, which also raise testosterone levels and enhance sex desire[2], brain function[3], and general health.
As men get older and their bodies are unable to produce enough testosterone to maintain a healthy balance of hormones, they must start getting testosterone injections.
Testosterone’s Role In Your Body
Males’ primary[4] reproductive hormone, testosterone, is responsible for a variety of vital functions, including,
- The growth of the testicles and penis
- The deepening of a voice during adolescence
- Beginning in puberty, pubic and facial hair begins to appear; later in life, they may contribute to balding.
- Strength and size of the muscles
- Power and bone development
- Sexual drive (libido)
- Production of sperm
Boys in their adolescence who have insufficient testosterone may not go through the typical masculinization process.
For instance, the genitalia might not enlarge, there might not be much body or facial hair, and the voice might not deepen normally.
Additionally, testosterone might support the maintenance[5] of a regular mood. This hormone may perform other crucial tasks that we’ve yet to learn about.
The pituitary gland[6], located at the base of the brain, receives signals from the brain that regulate testosterone production in males.
The testes are guided by the pituitary gland to produce testosterone. Hormone levels in the blood are tightly controlled by a “feedback loop.”
The pituitary gland receives signals from the brain to reduce the production of testosterone when levels get too high.
Benefits Of Testosterone Injection
There are numerous[7] other advantages of testosterone injections that merit discussion. In the body’s ability to properly metabolize food, the hormone testosterone is important.
A decline could affect insulin and glucose levels in addition to the conversion of food into fat rather than the fuel.
These are just a few of the many advantages of testosterone injections for men:
- Enhancing metabolic activity[8] to promote fat burning and weight loss
- Better physical definition through an increase in lean muscle mass and strength
- Boosting bone density and lowering the likelihood of osteoporosis
- Enhancing memory, concentration, and mental processes
- Enhancing erectile function, orgasm, sexual arousal, and desire
- Possibility of hair growth
- Reducing blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
- Sleep improvement[9]
- To overcome depressive symptoms and improve outlook and disposition generally
Forms Of Testosterone Injection
There are various types of testosterone injections. These consist of:
- Testosterone Cypionate (Depo-Testosterone)
- Testosterone Enanthate (Xyosted and also available in its generic form)
- Testosterone Undecanoate (Aveed, which is a long-acting formulation)
How Is Testosterone Administered Via Injection?
Usually administered every 2 to 4 weeks, when considered. Testosterone is injected into a muscle or under the skin.
A healthcare professional should be the only one to administer testosterone injections. The condition that needs to be treated will determine how long the testosterone injections will last.
Your risk of dying, having a heart attack, or having a stroke could all increase as a result of testosterone use.
It will be necessary to frequently[10] check your blood pressure. It might be necessary for you to stop using testosterone or to start taking blood pressure medication.
Blood tests will be required regularly. Boys receiving therapy for delayed puberty may experience changes in their bone growth.
Throughout treatment, X-rays may be required to monitor bone development every six months.
The misuse of testosterone may result in harmful or irreversible effects, including enlarged breasts, small testicles, infertility, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, liver disease, problems with bone growth, addiction, and mental effects like aggression and violence.
This medication is prohibited from being stolen, sold, or given away.
Dangers Of Excessive Testosterone
It is not considered a problem for men when they have too much naturally occurring testosterone.
That might come as a surprise to you given what some might view as plain-to-see examples of testosterone excess, such as aggressive driving, father-on-father fighting at Little League games, and sexual promiscuity.
This might be in part because[11] it’s challenging to distinguish between “normal” behavior and “normal” testosterone levels.
Throughout the day and over time, testosterone levels in the blood could change significantly.
Additionally, what might appear to be a sign of too much testosterone may not be connected to this hormone.
Here are a few several side effects that could occur from testosterone injections,
- Discomfort in your shoulder, jaw, etc.
- Breathing issues while asleep
- Sleep apnea[12]
- Frequent penile erections
- Loss of bladder control
- Blood clots including inflammation
- Headache
Alternate To Testosterone Injections
Some people are searching for testosterone injectable alternatives because of some of the adverse effects of these medications and the situations in which they are illegal, particularly if their symptoms are more minor and include fatigue, depression, or a loss in libido.
Modifications to one’s way of life may be sufficient[13] to provide the essential boost for those with lesser symptoms of low testosterone.
Before deciding to use testosterone injections, you might want to attempt the following:
- Exercising frequently, eating a healthy diet, and practicing better sleep hygiene could help to alleviate the signs of exhaustion and reduce sex drive.
- Because sexual performance and drive may be a mind/body issue, getting counseling for sexual issues may be helpful.
- Consider making sure to receive a thorough health examination. More so as you age, medical conditions other than low testosterone may be the root of problems like erectile dysfunction.
Factors While Considering Testosterone Injections
The following factors should also be taken into account for the appropriate administration of testosterone shots, in addition to where to administer the shots:
- Size of the needle in terms of gauge and length
- The quantity of your dose
- Proper Administration
- Massage
Conclusion
If a man has low testosterone as a result of a specific medical condition, a doctor may recommend testosterone injections.
Although it does not treat the underlying condition, it might help with some of the symptoms. These injections could also be used as part of masculinizing hormone therapy or to treat sexual dysfunction brought on by physical changes following menopause.
The potentially serious side effects of testosterone use, both in the short and long term, should be made clear to people.
Before prescribing testosterone replacement therapy, doctors should conduct a thorough evaluation and, if that is an option, talk to the patient about the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment.
To minimize any risks, it’s critical to always consult a medical professional.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Aksam A Yassin and Mohamed Haffejee. Testosterone depot injection in male hypogonadism: a critical appraisal. Clin Interv Aging. 2007 Dec; 2(4): 577–590. Published online 2007 Dec.
- Paul J. Rizk, Taylor P. Kohn, Alexander W. Pastuszak, et. al. Testosterone Therapy Improves Erectile Function and Libido in Hypogonadal Men. Curr Opin Urol. 2017 Nov; 27(6): 511–515. doi: 10.1097/MOU.0000000000000442
- Peter Celec, Daniela Ostatníková, and Július Hodosy. On the effects of testosterone on brain behavioral functions. Front Neurosci. 2015; 9: 12. Published online 2015 Feb 17. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00012
- Understanding How Testosterone Affects Men. Date of Publication: September 23, 2013. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/understanding-how-testosterone-affects-men
- Hyun Jin Jung and Hong Seok Shin. Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Cognitive Performance and Depression in Men with Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome. World J Mens Health. 2016 Dec; 34(3): 194–199. Published online 2017 Jan 23. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.2016.34.3.194
- Megan Crawford and Laurence Kennedy. Testosterone replacement therapy: role of pituitary and thyroid in diagnosis and treatment. Transl Androl Urol. 2016 Dec; 5(6): 850–858. doi: 10.21037/tau.2016.09.01
- Nazem Bassil, Saad Alkaade, and John E Morley. The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009; 5: 427–448. Published online 2009 Jun 22. doi: 10.2147/tcrm.s3025
- Xiang Cai, Ye Tian, Tao Wu, et. al. Metabolic effects of testosterone replacement therapy on hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Asian J Androl. 2014 Jan-Feb; 16(1): 146–152. Published online 2013 Dec 16. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.122346
- Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Thuy-Tien Dam, Katie Stone et. al. The Association of Testosterone Levels with Overall Sleep Quality, Sleep Architecture, and Sleep-Disordered Breathing. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jul; 93(7): 2602–2609. Published online 2008 Apr 15. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-2622.
- Testosterone Injection. Date of Review: March 15, 2019. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a614041.html
- George N. Nassar; Stephen W. Leslie. Physiology, Testosterone. Date of Update: January 4, 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
- Sexual Dysfunction And Hypotestosteronemia In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Date of Publication: January 29, 2009. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00832065
- Andrew McCullough. Alternatives to testosterone replacement: testosterone restoration. Asian J Androl. 2015 Mar-Apr; 17(2): 201–205. Published online 2014 Dec 19. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.143736.
- About the Author
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Michael has been in the male wellness industry for 25+ years. Before joining Working For Health as a full-time male wellness journalist, he contributed to multiple online portals in the male wellness field. Before that, he has been an assistant to several sexologists.