All articles tagged with #testosterone
A cluster of symptoms known as 'irritable male syndrome' (IMS) is linked to age-related testosterone decline, causing mood swings, fatigue, and cognitive issues. While not a formal clinical diagnosis, experts note these changes often overlap with 'andropause' and can be managed through medical evaluation, lifestyle adjustments, and therapy.
The FDA held a public workshop on September 17, 2026, to evaluate evidence and safety gaps regarding testosterone use in menopausal women. No FDA-approved product exists for women in the U.S., forcing reliance on off-label male formulations and compounded creams. Prescription rates for women have nearly tripled since 2023, yet access is hindered by insurance denials, pharmacy refusals, and dosing challenges. Medical guidelines currently support testosterone only for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, while broader claims for energy or mood lack evidence. Advocates and clinicians are pushing for standardized, female-specific products to resolve these access and safety issues.
Researchers have discovered that a bacterium found in the human urinary tract, Actinobaculum massiliense, can convert the steroid precursor DHEA into testosterone. This finding, published in Nature Communications, reveals a previously unknown microbial route to androgen production. While the study does not prove that this bacterial activity causes prostate cancer or affects disease progression, it suggests that the urinary microbiome may influence the hormonal environment near the prostate. The research utilized computational simulations to explain how specific bacterial enzymes facilitate this chemical transformation.
Post-menopausal women in Wales are increasingly posing as men to purchase testosterone from online pharmacies after facing significant barriers to obtaining prescriptions through the NHS. This workaround arises from inconsistent access across health boards and the lack of a licensed female-specific product in the UK. While some women report improved libido and energy, unmonitored use risks severe, permanent side effects. Experts call for standardized prescribing guidelines and a licensed female product to ensure safe, equitable care.
On the August 29 episode of the 'I Do, Part 2' podcast, 53-year-old actor Brian Austin Green confirmed that his sex drive has decreased with age. He attributed the change to natural testosterone decline, stating, 'I didn't ask for it.' While he acknowledged that supplements can help, he noted that intimacy now focuses more on emotional connection than physical performance. Green, who is engaged to Sharna Burgess, previously admitted his marriage to Megan Fox was driven by physical attraction, but now prioritizes mutual satisfaction and open communication in his current relationship.
A Finnish study of 2,264 adults found higher coffee intake linked to lower total and visceral fat, more skeletal muscle, and healthier metabolic markers, plus sex-hormone patterns (men show higher total testosterone and SHBG but lower free testosterone; women show increased SHBG and lower free androgens). Because the study is observational, it cannot prove causation; further research is needed to determine if coffee causes these changes and which compounds might be responsible.
A 45-year-old man on testosterone for osteoporosis developed paranoia and hearing voices about a year into therapy; stopping testosterone led to rapid resolution of symptoms, and he was later restarted on testosterone with close monitoring. He was found to have Klinefelter syndrome, which may increase psychiatric risk, underscoring the need for baseline mental-health screening and vigilant monitoring when initiating testosterone, especially in vulnerable patients.
A Finnish study of over 2,200 middle‑aged adults found heavy coffee drinkers had less visceral fat and more skeletal muscle, possibly due to caffeine boosting metabolism. In men, coffee was associated with higher bioavailable testosterone and SHBG, but slightly lower free testosterone, while women showed more modest hormone changes. These hormonal shifts may help explain coffee’s link to lower diabetes risk, but the study is observational and cannot prove causation.
A case report describes a 45-year-old man who developed severe psychosis—hallucinations and hearing voices from his body—after a year of injectable testosterone for infertility and osteoporosis. He was later diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome (XXY). Stopping testosterone and treating with antipsychotics led to recovery, and a cautious reintroduction at a lower dose with close monitoring did not prompt a relapse. The authors emphasize that this is a single case and does not prove causation, but hormone fluctuations may trigger psychiatric crises in vulnerable individuals, underscoring the need for psychiatric screening during hormone therapies.
A new study finds coffee consumption is associated with changes in testosterone levels, body fat, and metabolic rate, particularly in men; the findings are observational and do not prove causation, so more research is needed to understand the mechanisms and possible health implications.
The Defense Department announced a program to screen troops’ testosterone levels with optional testosterone replacement therapy to optimize performance, sparking a debate over medical appropriateness and the broader idea of masculinity. Experts caution that treatment should target true deficiency rather than enhancement, warn against hormone misuse, and say fears about increased aggression or sexual violence are largely unfounded, even as public commentary highlights societal myths about masculinity and biology. The piece also notes underreporting of military sex crimes despite data showing declines in 2024, and cites survivor resources from groups like RAINN.
A Men’s Health survey of 2,200 men finds widespread testosterone myths: 49% equate testosterone with masculinity, 37% think higher T improves looks, and 57% doubt its risks; meanwhile, risks from unsupervised TRT include heart/liver problems, infertility, acne, and hair loss. About 11 million men are on TRT, but evidence suggests only about 12% truly need it. Most rely on friends, podcasters, AI, and social media—like Reddit and TikTok—rather than doctors, with Gen Z most likely to seek non-medical sources, fueling myths. The article calls for better medical guidance and balanced information.
A CBS News clip explains that some menopausal women are taking testosterone or other hormone therapies to ease symptoms; doctors like Taraneh Shirazian discuss the potential benefits and risks and emphasize the need for careful medical supervision when considering these treatments.
The Pentagon’s plan to screen and treat testosterone in service members—despite doctors warning against universal screening—risks repeating VA’s past failures in testosterone replacement, may drive unnecessary therapy, threaten fertility, and complicate care when service members transition to veterans benefits, all amid limited coverage for infertility under TRICARE.
A New York Post report cites doctors warning that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is widely used—often via online scripts—yet it can dramatically reduce sperm production, risking infertility for men who want future children; side effects can include acne, breast development, and testicular shrinkage, and high testosterone may raise blood pressure and heart risk without proper medical supervision. Because many men skip in-person evaluation, experts urge regular monitoring and consider alternatives like clomiphene, enclomiphene, or hCG to raise testosterone while preserving fertility, while also addressing sleep apnea, obesity, or other root causes.