Injectable testosterone is a drug indicated for people with male hypogonadism, which is characterized by a disease in which the testes produce testosterone. Although hypogonadism does not cure, symptoms can be alleviated through hormone replacement.
Although this drug is suitable for the treatment of male hypogonadism, it is increasingly bad with abuse of testosterone injections and derivatives, also known as anabolic steroids, such as testosterone propionate enanthate, by very competitive and passionate athletes. To achieve greater muscle performance and improve physical appearance, without having any real benefit or potential side effects.
- Administration of this medicine should be performed by a health care professional and doses should be individually adapted to each person according to hormonal need.
The most common side effects that can occur when using testosterone injections are: pain, swelling and color of the injection site, as well as shortness of breath.
However, people who use these medications indefinitely and frequently may experience more serious adverse events, such as:
In addition, administration of testosterone in adolescents could lead to a premature epiphysical cycle, which involves an interruption of growth.
The likely cause of acne as a side effect is related to increased fat production, due to the action of testosterone in the sebaceous glands. The body parts most affected by the face and spread.
The appearance of stretch marks on arms and legs is associated with rapid muscle growth, induced by steroids.
The misuse and indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids can increase the risk of tendon injury, since the osteoarticular structure cannot track muscle growth, inhibiting collagen synthesis in ligaments and tendons.
When testosterone levels are too high, the body inhibits the production of this hormone; this phenomenon, called negative feedback and negative feedback, is to inhibit the secretion of gonadotropins by over-testosterone. , which stimulate sperm production in the testes, therefore, if testosterone inhibits them, can stimulate sperm production through the testicles, which could cause testicular atrophy and infertility. Learn more about how male hormonal control works
Generally, when you start using anabolic steroids, there is an increase in sexual desire because testosterone levels increase; However, when levels of this hormone reach some concentration in the blood, the body begins to inhibit its production, a phenomenon known for negative feedback. negative feedback, which can also lead to sexual impotence.
The increase in breast size in men, called gynecomastia, occurs because testosterone and excess derivatives are converted into estrogens, which are female hormones responsible for increasing the mammary glands.
In women, the use of anabolic steroids can cause an enlarged clitoris, an increase in facial and body hair and a change in tone of the voice, which are male sex characteristics induced by testosterone.
Anabolic steroids cause a degradation of good cholesterol (HDL) and an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL), blood pressure and left ventricle, which are risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, enlargement of the left heart ventricle is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden changes.
Misuse of testosterone injections, in addition to being toxic to the liver and the substances used are resistant to metabolism, can contribute to increased levels of certain enzymes that are related to liver toxicity, as they can cause damage and cause tumors.
Hormonal hair loss is also known as androgenetic alopecia or baldness, which is caused by the use of dihydrotestosterone, which is derived from testosterone in hair follicles; in people with genetic predisposition, this hormone joins the receptors present in the hair, causing a decrease in thickness and hair loss, so the use of testosterone and its derivatives can aggravate and accelerate this process, increasing the amount of dihydrotestosterone that joins the follicles.
Testosterone injections and derivatives should not be used in people with:
Allergy to the active substance is any component of the drug;
Androgen-dependent carcinoma or suspected prostate carcinoma, as male hormones can increase the growth of prostate carcinoma;
Liver tumor or history of liver tumor, as cases of benign and malignant liver tumors have been observed, following the use of testosterone enanthate;
High blood calcium levels associated with malignancies
In addition, this medicine should not be used in children, women, pregnant women and lactating women.