Can Teenagers Take Testosterone Boosters? Side Effects & Risks
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a pivotal role in your sexual growth and development. Testosterone is a big deal for teenage boys. Testosterone boosters are supplements that increase your testosterone levels. Your testosterone levels skyrocket during puberty, kickstarting all those changes that turn you from a boy to a man.
Some teens think taking testosterone boosters will make those changes happen faster. But is pumping your body full of artificial testosterone safe at your age? Let’s explore if they’re the right choice.
- Testosterone production surges during puberty, driving significant physical developments.
- Overloading teenage bodies with excessive testosterone can lead to issues like acne, stunted growth, breast growth, and an overactive sex drive.
- Some teens may have naturally low testosterone and need medical treatment.
The Role of Testosterone in Teenage Boys
Testosterone is crucial for sexual maturation, spermatogenesis, enlarging the penis and testes, and spurring arousal. Studies show testosterone levels surge around 30 times higher when puberty starts in boys.
This rapid rise kickstarts primary sexual characteristics needed for reproduction. It also promotes secondary traits like body hair, more muscle, a deeper voice, and growth spurts. It’s normal for these testosterone fueled changes to impact mood and behaviour during the teenage years. Things usually balance out as you become an adult.
What Controls Testosterone Production?
Testosterone production in teenage boys is regulated by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and testes through a complex hormonal pathway. Key hormones called LH and FSH stimulate the testes to produce testosterone.
Dysfunction anywhere along this pathway can prevent normal testosterone release, leading to delayed sexual development in teens. Symptoms like low energy or changes in body composition may indicate low testosterone levels.
If teenage boys experience possible signs of insufficient testosterone, they should see a doctor. A blood test can confirm if hormone therapy is needed to enable normal development during this crucial time. The hormonal interplay is delicate, but medical treatment can help restore testosterone levels when the system falls out of balance during the teenage years.
Dangers of Testosterone Overload
Too much or too little testosterone can cause problems for teenage boys. Overproduction of testosterone before puberty starts can lead to hyperandrogenism. Symptoms of hyperandrogenism include – Enlarged penis, Excessive hair growth in androgen-sensitive areas, and Premature voice deepening.
Overproduction of testosterone in teens can result in the following:
One common cause of testosterone overloading in teens is abuse of anabolic steroids. However, the teenage body cannot properly handle the massive doses of exogenous testosterone that come with steroids. Even testosterone at usual adult male levels may be excessive for teens. This artificial hormonal overload can have minor to major side effects.
What Are The Side Effects of Too Much Testosterone?
Excessive testosterone exposure in teenage boys can lead to several downsides. Here are some of the major risks and side effects:
Worsened Acne
Excess testosterone signals the sebaceous glands to produce more oil (sebum), which clogs pores and causes acne breakouts. Teenagers already have overactive sebaceous glands and are prone to acne. Increasing testosterone further can worsen acne and cause permanent scarring or painful cystic lesions.
Premature Growth Plate Closure
Contrary to popular belief, excess testosterone does not amplify a teenage growth spurt. In fact, it can prematurely halt bone growth and development by accelerating growth plate closure. This mismatch between bone, muscle, and tendon development can increase the risk of injuries. Supraphysiological testosterone levels may also lead to stiffer, weaker tendons in teens, further elevating injury risk.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is characterised by the enlargement of breast gland tissue in men. Excess testosterone in teens gets converted to estrogen via aromatisation. This skews the testosterone-estrogen ratio and causes a hormonal imbalance. Gynecomastia triggered by exogenous testosterone may be more long-lasting than the natural transient form.
Increased Sex Drive
As the primary male sex hormone, testosterone heavily influences libido and sexual function. Further elevating testosterone can drive teenage sex drives to an excessive level. This carries mental and physical risks for teens engaging in risky sexual behaviours.
The Bottom Line
While testosterone is crucial for male sexual development, artificially boosting levels too high with supplements carries risks of side effects for teenagers. Medical experts strongly advise against testosterone boosters, given the sensitive hormonal changes of puberty. Teenage boys should focus on proper nutrition, sleep, exercise, and lifestyle habits to support natural testosterone elevation in a balanced, sustainable way.
