Testosterone supplementation did not show consistent benefit for cardiovascular risk , sexual function , mood and behavior , or cognition .
Studies that examined clinical cardiovascular endpoints have not favored testosterone therapy over placebo .
Testosterone is ineffective in treating erectile dysfunction and controlled trials did not show a consistent effect on libido .
Testosterone supplementation consistently increased muscle strength but did not have beneficial effects on physical function .
Most studies on mood-related endpoints found no beneficial effect of testosterone treatment on personality , psychological well-being , or mood .
Testosterone products are recommended by some prescribers in response to a diagnosis or presumption of " low testosterone " ( low-T ) for cardiovascular health , sexual function , muscle weakness or wasting , mood and behavior , and cognition .
Acute anti-ischemic effect of testosterone in men with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND The role of testosterone on the development of coronary artery disease in men is controversial . The evidence that men have a greater incidence of coronary artery disease than women of a similar age suggests a possible causal role of testosterone . Conversely , recent studies have shown that the hormone improves endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in men . Accordingly , the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of testosterone on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men . METHODS AND RESULTS After withdrawal of antianginal therapy , 14 men ( mean age , 58+/-4 years ) with coronary artery disease underwent 3 exercise tests according to the modified Bruce protocol on 3 different days ( baseline and either testosterone or placebo given in a r and om order ) . The exercise tests were performed 30 minutes after administration of testosterone ( 2.5 mg IV in 5 minutes ) or placebo . All patients showed at least 1-mm ST-segment depression during the baseline exercise test and after placebo , whereas only 10 patients had a positive exercise test after testosterone .  Chest pain during exercise was reported by 12 patients during baseline and placebo exercise tests and by 8 patients after testosterone . Compared with placebo , testosterone increased time to 1-mm ST-segment depression ( 579+/-204 versus 471+/-210 seconds ; P<0 . 01 ) and total exercise time ( 631+/-180 versus 541+/-204 seconds ; P<0 . 01 ) . Testosterone significantly increased heart rate at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression ( 135+/-12 versus 123+/-14 bpm ; P<0.01 ) and at peak exercise ( 140+/-12 versus 132+/-12 bpm ; P<0.01 ) and the rate-pressure product at the onset of 1-mm ST-segment depression ( 24 213+/-3750 versus 21 619+/-3542 mm Hgxbpm ; P<0.05 ) and at peak exercise ( 26 746+/-3109 versus 22 527+/-5443 mm Hgxbpm ; P<0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Short-term administration of testosterone induces a beneficial effect on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in men with coronary artery disease . This effect may be related to a direct coronary-relaxing effect
Testosterone supplementation did not show consistent benefit for cardiovascular risk , sexual function , mood and behavior , or cognition .
Studies that examined clinical cardiovascular endpoints have not favored testosterone therapy over placebo .
Testosterone is ineffective in treating erectile dysfunction and controlled trials did not show a consistent effect on libido .
Testosterone supplementation consistently increased muscle strength but did not have beneficial effects on physical function .
Most studies on mood-related endpoints found no beneficial effect of testosterone treatment on personality , psychological well-being , or mood .
Testosterone products are recommended by some prescribers in response to a diagnosis or presumption of " low testosterone " ( low-T ) for cardiovascular health , sexual function , muscle weakness or wasting , mood and behavior , and cognition .