How to Reduce Testosterone Side Effects in Men
Author: Brian Hildebrandt, Last Updated: Oct 25, 2019
You hear it everywhere in the media. Testosterone side effects ranging from hair loss, impotence, a smaller penis, gynecomastia (breast enlargement), liver cancer, to roid rage.
It’s enough to make you run in horror, or not believe anything. I’m sure you remember being told horror stories of alcohol, marijuana, and masturbation as a teenager.
“You’re going to kill brain cells, go blind, drop out of school, graduate to crack.”
You most likely didn’t believe the lies then… are the side effects of testosterone any differant? You know moderation and abuse are two differant things.
True… there are some testosterone side effects, but you can manage them and reap the benefits with proper care. Most of the media hearsay is either overblown or down right lies!
Potential Testosterone Replacement Therapy Side Effects
- Acne
- Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/BPH)
- Bloating
- Impotence and reduced libido/sex drive
- Gynecomastia/gyno (enlarged breast tissue aka “bitch tits”)
- Hair loss/Baldness
You don’t tend to get the side effects of testosterone from the actual hormone itself. It’s from what the testosterone turns in to; estrogen and DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
If you minimize these conversions, you won’t get the problems. Acne is generally caused by high testosterone and/or high cortisol.
Best Male Acne Treatments Caused by High Testosterone
- Vitamin A (10,000 – 50,000 IU)
- Vitamin B5 (1 to 10 grams)
- Sodium/Magnesium Thiosulfate
- Accutane (Isotretinoin)
The above products main method of action is to dry out your skin from the inside out, at the source. Trying to use topical treatments is a waste of time. If you can stop the oil from forming in the first place, you’re home free.
Controlling Estrogen During Low T Treatment
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), bloating, erectile dysfunction, and gynecomastia are all generally caused by high estrogen.
If you control estrogen, you control the majority of all testosterone’s side effects. The medications Arimidex (Anastrozole) and Aromasin (Exemestane), that may be presribed by your doctor, do a great job of controlling estrogen.
They are from the class of drugs call Aromatase Inhibitors and prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.
High DHT From Too Much Testosterone
The most prominant killer to your hair, is the testosterone metabolite DHT aka dihydrotestosterone.
To prevent hair loss, your best bet is to lower DHT with the popular drug Propecia (Finasteride), that effectly blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. 1mg per day is generally sufficient.
You can also use the topical shampoo Nizoral (Ketoconazole), which blocks the effects of DHT in your scalp, thus preventing hair loss.