Reality Of Testosterone Abuse

The proper and safe use of testosterone is administered by a doctor to a patient who has presented with the symptoms of male menopause, some of which are erectile dysfunction, low libido, mood swings, depression, loss of hair, and loss of muscle mass. After tests to rule out any other problem, the patient will be started on a course of injections that will be monitored for their effectiveness.

The improper and dangerous use of testosterone is when it is obtained elsewhere and used with no medial supervision at all. The siren song of "sexual staying power and libido enhancement" "natural testosterone enhancement" "emotional benefits of more testosterone" that you might see online is only telling you one side of the story. The promise of taking pills rather than the "humiliation" of going to the doctor's office for a hormone injection and "Testosterone is manhood" are come-ons directed at men's wallets, not at their well-being. The words "manhood" and "humiliation" strike at insecurities and are designed to initiate immediate action, not calm reasoning.

Testosterone is an anabolic steroid. The word anabolic means "pertaining to process of building up, especially in metabolism". The word steroid is defined as "a class of compounds made by the adrenal gland and reproductive organs in the body. Examples: testosterone and estrogen." Many people do not recognize the connection.

It has become common knowledge that some sports stars have taken or are taking some form of anabolic steroid. Less common knowledge is that adults will use it, for example, in the gym for higher performance on the treadmill or weightlifting, the competitive factor being other people in the gym or workout buddies. Some boys, however, have been given testosterone in Little League, for a better performance edge.

The point about what you do in private to your body may be one thing, but what is done to a growing child for such a negligible reason is totally another. Some parents may justify it by saying that baseball is their child's ticket to a better life. The kindest term for those parents may be shortsighted.

Steroids or performance enhancing drugs can be used to increase certain physiologic functions such as muscle strength, endurance, enhanced ability of liver and kidney function, and ability to pump blood. On the down side, they boost mood swings, anger and aggression, make for risky behavior; they can damage the liver and make cancer of the testicles and other organs more likely. Males with high testosterone counts are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs, to smoke, and to engage in unprotected sex, among other things.

A child, whose body is still growing, is making hormones of his own. His brain is still developing and can be seriously damaged by the inclusion of testosterone. He may be taught to throw a wicked curveball, but his bones, tendons, and muscles are still growing. Serious injury and joint malformation are so much more likely. He may be a star on little league, but ruined for professional ball or any life of sports.

A doctor should be the first one consulted about testosterone therapy in male menopause, not websites. There is no "humiliation" in taking good and prudent care of your health.

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