Testosterone Injections Vs. Cream
Low testosterone can happen during any of the three stages of life: fetal development, puberty and adulthood, with symptoms unique to each stage. In addition, low testosterone levels can be experienced by both men and women. Testosterone is available in several forms: injections, creams, patches and gels.
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Conditions of Low Testosterone
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According to the Mayo Clinic, hypogonadism is a condition where the body doesn't produce enough testosterone. Therefore, testosterone injections are sometimes prescribed to treat this condition, which can cause female genitals to appear on male fetuses and cause breast tissue development in pubescent males. Loss of libido, or sex drive, can be caused when testosterone levels are too low in the body. This condition can affect both men and women and can be treated with testosterone injections.
Testosterone Cream
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Although only approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription use in men who have low testosterone levels---and not for anything else---testosterone cream is sometimes used by women in an effort to increase their libido. However, this medication is not prescribed for that condition, and any over-the-counter or Internet products in the market that purport the efficiency of testosterone cream in this regard have not had such claims validated by the FDA.
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Testosterone Cream and Libido
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In a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic in 2007, 150 women cancer survivors (postmenopausal only) were given testosterone cream (or a placebo) in an effort to measure any impact it had on increasing their diminished sex drives. The results of the study concluded that testosterone cream use for this particular condition did not prove beneficial for women who were cancer survivors (see Resources).
Testosterone Cream/Gel Danger
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In a CNN article dated May 2009, "Testosterone gel effects in children spur FDA warning," it was recognized that some males using topical testosterone had adversely affected small children around them at the time of use (possibly by holding them in their arms, minus their shirts, immediately following testosterone application to the chest). Female children began to develop sexual characteristics of males due to this exposure, while young males experienced an acceleration of their sexual characteristic growth altogether (see Resources).
Testosterone Injections
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Testosterone injections to treat hypogonadism in male youth or adults---or low testosterone levels in women---are given in a muscle of the body (usually the buttocks, but it could be a leg or the arm, too). These injections are usually done only once every two weeks, eliminating the more frequent administration required if using testosterone cream or gel.
Injections Better Option
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According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone injections are relatively safe and effective. They also offer protection against the possibility of the negative health consequences mentioned in the CNN article. Unlike the testosterone cream or gel users, those who receive testosterone injections don't have to worry about adversely affecting their small children or their wives through physical contact after administration of testosterone.
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