Marketing material about testosterone boosters can have you running to the pharmacy to stock up on them. Some of them promise that you can restore masculinity with the right booster. Such marketing focuses on sensitive issues such as sex drive, semen production, and even muscle growth.

Do a cursory search on the online platform, and you will find a lot of information about testosterone boosters. Articles such as those you will find at Testosterone Booster World have tons of information that can give you invaluable insights.

Without a doubt, testosterone boosters have a wide range of uses, some of which are very beneficial. Yet, there is the other side of their use, which we will highlight in our article. Ultimately you will be able to make the decision on whether you want to incorporate their use in your life.

Are Testosterone Boosters Worth The Hype?

It is essential to understand what testosterone boosters are before we go into an in-depth discussion of the same. You can describe them as supplements or medications that work by increasing testosterone levels in the body. Testosterone in males is especially critical because that is the main sex hormone. Females do have some levels of testosterone, but it is very low.

Due to testosterone, men will develop masculine features such as deep voices, muscles, hairy chests and broad shoulders? When they hit the age of 30, testosterone levels in the body start reducing, resulting in issues such as erectile dysfunction.

Testosterone boosters reverse the decline in T-levels, allowing males to continue to exhibit masculine traits.

• You will find different types of testosterone boosters such as:-
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) or androgen replacement therapy which are injectables or transdermal using patches or gels, oral capsules
• Testosterone boosting supplements which include d-aspartic acid and the Steroid hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone

Other popular ingredients in testosterone boosters include:-

• Tribulus Terrestris
• Zinc and magnesium
• Maca that has a libido enhancing properties
• Fenugreek
• Tongkat Ali that has for a long time found use among the Malaysians as an aphrodisiac
• Mucuna Pruriens That contributes to High dopamine levels
• Vitamin D

It is crucial to note that the efficacy of some of the ingredients is still undergoing research and remains a grey area. There also seems to be doubts about how much above the baseline the testosterone boosters will raise the T-levels.

Causes of Low Testosterone Levels in the Body

There are various reasons why testosterone levels will decrease in the body. Such include

• Age - Men within the ages of 30 and above may experience up to 1% lower testosterone levels on an annual basis
• Disorders of the pituitary gland
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Obesity
• Genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome
• Undescended or damaged testicles
• Specific medications such as chemotherapy or opioid pain relievers
• Diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, histiocytosis, and sarcoidosis
• Current illnesses leading to stress, both physical and emotional

How to Know When There Is a Decline in Testosterone Levels in the Body

According to the American Urology Association (AUA), specific indicators of low testosterone levels in the body include:-

• Declining sex drive
• Constant feelings of fatigue
• Reduction in lean muscle mass
• Irritability
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• Less or loss of body hair
• Weight gain leading to obesity
• Poor memory and inability to focus
• Difficulty communicating due to an inability to remember or find words

However, it is important to note that other factors could present with the same symptoms above. It is crucial to get a medical check-up to determine whether you have any other underlying conditions that you need to take care of.

Exploring the Good; Benefits of Testosterone Boosters

Testosterone boosters will increase the amount of testosterone in the body. The benefits include:

• A healthy heart due to the production of red blood cells. It also helps with the synthesis of erythrocytes in the bone marrow
• More lean muscle resulting in better weight management and more energy. You will see better results if you watch your diet and combine it with exercise
• you get better bone mineral density, thus stronger bones resulting in less risk of osteoporosis. Testosterone replacement therapy has been incredibly beneficial when treating weak bones.
• Mental benefits such as better memory, mathematical reasoning and special abilities
• Closely linked to mental health are better moods and more energy.
• A higher libido resulting in more sexual activity and sexual arousal. It helps fight erectile dysfunction, which occurs in men. It is important to determine the cause of erectile dysfunction before embarking on a testosterone boosting treatment course.

Exploring the Ugly; Side Effects Of Taking Testosterone Boosters

It is important to seek medical advice before taking any testosterone supplements. Your doctor will advise you on harmful side effects and how best to avoid them. Some doctors, for example, will not recommend such boosters to anyone below the age of 50. The boosters may permanently alter natural hormone production, and the body starts to rely on them wholly for such.

Common side effects of testosterone supplements include:-

• Hair loss
• Breast and prostate enlargement in males
• Acne
• Atrophy of the testicles
• Loss of libido
• Infertility
• Hypertension puts you at risk for cardiovascular diseases
• Increase in red blood cell count through the production of too many red blood cells
• Prostate enlargement putting you at risk of prostate cancer and difficulties or pain when urinating
• Higher PSA or prostate-specific antigen levels putting you at risk of prostate cancer
• Liver damage

Exploring the Ugly; Arguments against Testosterone Boosters

A study published in Science Daily shows that there may not be any actual proof that testosterone boosters work. According to the researchers, many of the products in the market only contain minerals and vitamins. Yet, gullible buyers succumb to marketing tactics without really knowing whether they base their decision on reality or myth. In a test of more than testosterone boosting 50 products, only 25% had sufficient data to support the claim of the testosterone boosting capabilities. The finding of the research was, there needs to be stronger regulation, and patients should seek medical treatment instead of resorting to supplements.

The marketing of testosterone boosters has led to an explosion and uptake of the products. The marketing language tends to position them as some kind of super supplement that can bring back your 'manliness.' While it seems to work for some people, for others, it does not. It is the latter group who end up feeling that the manufactures may have duped them in some way. Yet it could very well be the fault of the individual. Why do we say this?

• Unrealistic expectations - testosterone boosting supplements can, for example, result in lean muscle mass. But, it works well, not alone, but in combination with a good diet and exercise. Simply popping pills and not changing your lifestyle in any way will not lead to the results you may be expecting.
• Taking the supplement boosters without seeking medical advice can lead to some severe side effects. You may, for example, react to some of the ingredients. Consult a doctor before taking supplements.
• Not understanding underlying conditions that could be contributing to low testosterone levels is another major issue. As we have highlighted above, some diseases or health conditions may present in the same way as low testosterone levels. Factors such as undescended or damaged tests could have the same effect. Yet, without seeking medical advice on what could be contributing to the low levels, you embark on taking the boosters. Without a doubt, you will not see any benefits to the treatment.
• It is crucial to arm yourself with the right information. Testosterone boosters can increase T-Levels by 20 to 50%. It may be exciting and can have some benefits for your body. There are, however, different variables that could compromise the levels.
• You may have high cortisol levels in your body that will impact the effectiveness of the testosterone boosters you take. Cortisol inhibits the circulation of testosterone in the body. So, the higher it is, the less the testosterone has a chance to work. Let the doctors run the relevant tests such as blood work first.
• The tests will also let you know how much testosterone is actually in your body to determine whether or not you need to use the boosters.

Final Thoughts; So, What Is the Truth?

Determining whether or not testosterone boosters actually work may not be that simple. There still seem to be some gaps concerning efficacy. Yet, many individuals have reported positive results after using testosterone boosters, so there must be something to it. It is essential to do your research well and, we cannot say this enough, seek medical advice first.

Go into it with an open mind. Expecting instant results or expecting a magic cure is not a good idea. You must have realistic expectations to avoid any disappointment.

Most importantly, stick to the manufacturer's recommendations so that you do not over or underdose. You should also not make it something you take every single day for the rest of your life. You may want to take breaks so that your body does not develop a dependency on them.