Testosterone side effects

The main side effects related to the use of testosterone are :

GynecomastiaIncrease in the percentage of hematocrit in the bloodIncrease in blood pressureChanges in blood lipid levelsAcneHair lossVirilization in womenSuppression of natural testosterone production

It is worth remembering that these side effects are mainly related to use for aesthetic changes, in doses that raise testosterone to levels above natural levels.

Below, we will look at why testosterone can cause each of the adverse effects mentioned.

Gynecomastia

Despite being a male hormone, testosterone can be converted into estrogen which, to put it simply, can stimulate the growth of male breasts.

Basically, if there is an excess of testosterone, there may also be an excess of estrogen, causing the problem in predisposed people.

Increase in the percentage of hematocrit in the blood

Testosterone stimulates the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that orders the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells.

In return, this growth increases the hematocrit, which represents the proportion of red cells in the total blood volume.

When this happens excessively, the blood becomes denser and thicker, making circulation difficult and putting pressure on the heart, which can increase the incidence of cardiovascular problems.

Increase in blood pressure

Using more testosterone than you normally would can alter how your body manages certain important minerals, such as sodium, an element that attracts water and can cause fluid retention.

However, this does not only occur in the body's tissues, but in the blood as well, which can increase blood pressure.Changes in blood lipid levels

Testosterone stimulates the activity of enzymes that modify how fats are processed by the liver, causing significant changes in lipid levels.

In other words, testosterone use can alter cholesterol and triglyceride levels, more specifically worsening the lipid profile as a whole.

Such changes can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in the long term.

Acne

Testosterone, especially DHT, which is obtained through it, can stimulate the skin's sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.

This excess oil can clog pores, encouraging the proliferation of bacteria that can cause acne, especially in people who are predisposed to the problem.

Hair loss

In simple terms, testosterone, when converted to DHT (an even more potent form of the hormone), can accelerate hair loss in genetically predisposed people.

DHT acts on hair follicles, progressively reducing their size and shortening the hair growth cycle.

Over time, these hairs become thinner, shorter, and eventually stop growing.

However, for this to occur, there must be sensitivity to DHT in the follicle region, something that varies from person to person, which explains why not everyone suffers from hair loss when using steroids and others suffer from the effect, without ever having used them.

Virilization in women

Testosterone, when present in excess in the female body, can trigger an adverse effect called virilization, which is characterized by stimulating the emergence of physical characteristics typical of the male sex.

This includes increased facial hair, deepening of the voice, and changes in the skin, such as increased oiliness.

Most virilization effects are usually irreversible for women.

Suppression of natural testosterone production

In simple terms, when there is excess testosterone circulating, the body understands that there is already enough hormone.

In response, the brain reduces or even suspends the production of signals that activate the testicles, responsible for producing natural testosterone.