What Are Testosterone Therapy Side Effects? | Northwest Arkansas Providers

There are numerous cases of people receiving substandard care in the form of the amount of testosterone prescribed and the frequency of their dosage—resulting in negative side effects. Worse yet, there are instances where less experienced providers offer alternative care treatments that simply aren’t right for a patient—sometimes even dangerous.

That doesn’t mean all low testosterone treatment options are all bad, however. Topical testosterone treatments, be it cream or pellet implants, can be helpful to men suffering from Low-T. For some patients, it simply fits their lifestyle better.

However, these alternative TRT treatments can cause testosterone therapy side effects that are easier to identify and resolve with regular, clinical testosterone treatment. These include:

1. Skin problems

The most common side effects of testosterone creams and implants are skin reactions. Though both can cause skin issues, topical creams can react at the application site. 

Symptoms can include:

• Acne
• Burning
• Blistering
• Dry Skin
• Itching
• Soreness
• Redness

Make sure you always apply the medication on clean, unbroken skin. Follow the application directions on the package carefully and report any skin reactions to your doctor.

2. Urinary changes

Topical testosterone can also affect your urinary tract. Some men need to urinate more than usual, including during the night. You may feel an urgent need to urinate, even when your bladder isn’t full. Other symptoms include trouble urinating and blood in the urine.

3. Breast tissue changes

It’s rare, but topical testosterone may cause gynecomastia and result in unwanted changes to the breast tissue. This is because your body changes amounts of excess testosterone into estrogen, which can result in your body forming more breast tissue. 

Changes can include:

• Tenderness
• Soreness
• Pain
• Swelling

4. Emotional effects

Most men tolerate testosterone treatment quite well, but a small number develop emotional side effects from hormonal changes. 

These can include:

• Rapid mood swings
• Exaggerated emotional responses
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Depression

Although emotional side effects are rare, any mental health issue can be serious if not treated. Be sure to discuss any symptoms with your provider.

5. Sexual dysfunction

Testosterone plays a big role in a man’s sex drive. But in rare cases, topical testosterone can negatively affect sexuality. 

It may cause problems such as:

• Decrease in sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Erections that happen too often and last too long

6. Transfer through touch

Perhaps most concerning, exposure to topical testosterone can cause side effects in women and children through contact with it on their skin or clothing.

To prevent this from becoming an issue, don’t allow skin-to-skin contact of the treated area with other people. Also, don’t allow others to touch any bedding and clothing that may have absorbed testosterone from your skin. Keep the treated area covered or wash it well before letting others touch you.

It’s worth mentioning that some of these side effects are possible when receiving our testosterone injections in Rogers, but there is also an important difference. 

When you receive carefully mapped and monitored testosterone treatment with The Edge, we can make adjustments the minute any issues arise. You are never alone in your care, and it’s never up to you to juggle providing treatment, monitoring results, and watching out for side effects. We’re with you every step of the way.

Prevent Testosterone Therapy Side Effects with The Edge

Our mission at The Edge at Pinnacle Point is to help men across Northwest Arkansas and beyond improve their overall health and wellness. Every guy has unique needs, and that’s why we take an individualized approach with each of our treatments. We take every one of your needs, goals, and challenges into consideration in order to find the right plan for you. 

Schedule an in-person or a virtual consultation today and get back to feeling like your old self again. Check out our special events for deals on your initial lab work and more!

For those looking for care beyond low testosterone treatment, The Edge also offers other services and supplements designed to help you feel or look like your old self.