General
Description & Use
Testosterone topical gel is used to treat the symptoms of low
testosterone in men who do not produce enough natural testosterone.
Testosterone is a hormone that is usually produced by the body
that is needed for the growth and functioning of the male sexual
organs and for the development of typical male characteristics.
Also used by F2M transsexuals.
Testosterone
is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. In mammals, testosterone
is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of
females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal
glands. It is the principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid.
In both men and women, testosterone plays a key role in health
and well-being as well as in sexual functioning. Examples include
enhanced libido, increased energy, increased production of red
blood cells and protection against osteoporosis. On average, an
adult human male body produces about forty to sixty times more
testosterone than an adult female body, but females are more sensitive
to the hormone. However the overall ranges for male and female
are very wide, such that the ranges actually overlap at the low
end and high end respectively.
Like other steroid hormones, testosterone is derived from cholesterol.
The largest amounts of testosterone are produced by the testes
in men. It is also synthesized in far smaller quantities in women
by the thecal cells of the ovaries, by the placenta, as well as
by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex in both sexes. In
the testes, testosterone is produced by the Leydig cells. The
male generative glands also contain Sertoli cells which require
testosterone for spermatogenesis. Like most hormones, testosterone
is supplied to target tissues in the blood where much of it is
transported bound to a specific plasma protein, sex hormone binding
globulin.
Artificial
Testosterone is synthesizable in almost unlimited quantities.
Furthermore, there are two possible modifications on it, giving
it further abilities. First, it can be esterified, permitting
a long-lasting effect when injected into the body. Second, it
can be alkylated, permitting oral intake instead of injection.
Adult testosterone effects are more clearly demonstrable in males
than in females, but are likely important to both sexes. Some
of these effects may decline as testosterone levels decline in
the later decades of adult life. Libido and clitoral engorgement/penile
erection frequency. Mental and physical energy The most recent
and reliable studies have shown that testosterone does not cause
Prostate cancer, but that it can increase the rate of spread of
any existing prostate cancer.
Recent
studies have also shown its importance in maintaining cardio vascular
health. Testosterone regulates the population of thromboxane A2
receptors on megakaryocytes and platelets and hence platelet aggregation
in humans.
Athletic use (anabolic steroids)
Testosterone may be administered to an athlete in order to improve
performance, and is considered to be a form of doping in most
sports. There are several application methods for testosterone,
including intramuscular injections, transdermal gels and patches,
and implantable pellets.
NOTE:
This is now a restricted medication. Internet pharmacies are currently
not allowed to sell this product. Please check back here for further
information on this drug's future availability.
