How can testosterone propionate benefit men?

This article was reviewed by Kelly Brown, MD

Testosterone propionate was once a common treatment for men with low testosterone. It’s a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone. This solution and other drugs that mimic testosterone are also known as anabolic steroids.

Testosterone is the primary male hormone. It’s a pillar in many aspects of men’s overall health, such as:

• Muscle mass and bone density

• Libido

• Sperm production

• Mood

Keep reading to learn more about testosterone propionate treatment for men, including its history, pharmacology, risks, and the mechanisms behind its action in the human body.

What Is Testosterone Propionate?

Testosterone propionate is a form of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) designed to increase testosterone levels in men with low testosterone (or “low T”).

It’s administered through an intramuscular injection (a small needle going into a muscle). Testosterone propionate is also sometimes used recreationally to stimulate muscle growth, mainly among bodybuilders and athletes.

Testosterone propionate isn’t used very often in medical settings anymore — it’s been replaced by other synthetic forms of testosterone. These newer treatments tend to last longer in the body and have fewer side effects.

What Is Test P?

Test P isn’t a test. It’s a shorthand term for testosterone propionate. The treatment is also sometimes called test propionate.

History and Development of Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone propionate was first synthesized and used medically in the 1930s — just a few years after the discovery of the hormone testosterone itself.

Researchers saw a potential benefit in creating a synthetic version of this hormone. The idea was to develop a treatment for various conditions related to testosterone deficiencies, such as hypogonadism and delayed puberty.

Testosterone was originally extracted from animal privates, but this method was a lot of work and inefficient. The invention of synthetic testosterone marked a significant breakthrough since it made hormone replacement more successful and cost-efficient.

Testosterone propionate was primarily developed as a medication for men with low testosterone levels. However, it gained popularity among athletes and bodybuilders for its ability to:

• Promote muscle growth

• Enhance strength

• Improve physical performance

Like other anabolic steroids, testosterone propionate is sometimes used for these purposes by men who already have normal testosterone levels — which isn’t medically advised.

FDA Approval of Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone propionate received FDA approval in 1974 for correcting low testosterone levels in males.

It’s since been discontinued because other forms of synthetic testosterone have been developed with better safety profiles or that last longer in the body — a plus for any medication you need to inject.

Testosterone propionate has a half-life of roughly four and a half days, meaning half of it is eliminated from the body in that time. So keeping testosterone levels up with this treatment called for frequent injections.

Though it’s no longer available as a pharmaceutical treatment for men in the U.S., testosterone propionate is still used as an over-the-counter veterinarian drug to treat hormonal problems in animals.

Testosterone Propionate Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action

Testosterone propionate is a synthetic form of testosterone, meaning it’s not extracted from animals but made in a laboratory.

Testosterone propionate has the same structure as testosterone naturally made in the body, with the addition of an organic molecule called a propionate ester. The propionate ester is attached to the testosterone molecule to influence its blood solubility.

You don’t really need to know what an ester is. The point is that this synthetic version of the hormone slows testosterone’s absorption in the body. Compared to other more modern forms of synthetic testosterone, testosterone propionate is a slow-release form with a relatively short timespan in the body.

Once in the bloodstream, testosterone propionate acts on androgen receptors in various tissues within the brain, muscles, and bones. That’s when users start noticing the effects of a testosterone boost, like muscle growth and increased drive.

What to Know About Testosterone Production

Most of the testosterone in your body is regulated by the hypothalamus (an area of the brain that produces various hormones), pituitary glands, and testes. This is known as the HPG axis (short for hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis).

Here’s a rundown of how it works:

• Hypothalamus. The hypothalamus in the brain produces a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

• Pituitary gland. GnRH stimulates the release of two hormones from the pituitary gland: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

• Testes. LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to generate testosterone. Meanwhile, FSH supports sperm production.

Your adrenal glands, found above your kidneys, also produce a small amount of hormones your body can transform into testosterone.

Short vs. Long-Action Synthetic Testosterone

Many testosterone derivatives have been developed to help treat low testosterone. Clinical trials are still investigating new forms and continuing to look at the safety and effectiveness of already-developed forms.

Testosterone propionate is a form of short-action synthetic testosterone. As noted, it needs to be injected frequently because it clears from the bloodstream relatively quickly.

Short-acting forms of testosterone tend to have less of an impact on the HPG axis. They might be better for preserving male fertility compared to longer-acting treatments.

At the risk of stating the obvious, long-acting injectables require less frequent doses. Manufacturers of some types (such as testosterone undecanoate) recommend maintenance doses only every 10 weeks after the initial dose.

Forms of Synthetic Testosterone

Short-acting testosterone comes in the form of:

• Intranasal gels (applied to the inside of the nostrils)

• Transdermal testosterone gels or patches (applied to the skin)

• Oral testosterone pills taken by mouth

Long-acting forms include:

• Testosterone cypionate

• Testosterone enanthate (Testoviron®-DEPOT)

• Testosterone undecanoate

• Testosterone pellets placed under the skin

Your healthcare provider can help you figure out the best form of testosterone for your unique needs and preferences.

Medical Uses for Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone propionate was first developed for therapeutic purposes, particularly in treating conditions associated with low testosterone levels.

Before it was replaced by newer versions of synthesized testosterone, testosterone propionate was often prescribed to treat hypogonadism and delayed puberty.

Some people also use it recreationally — without a prescription or stamp of approval from a medical professional.

Keep scrolling for details.

Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is the medical name for low testosterone. It can lead to:

• Reduced drive

• ED

• Fatigue

• Loss of muscle mass

Testosterone replacement therapy is often prescribed to men with hypogonadism. But these days, different forms of synthetic testosterone are used.

Testosterone propionate is no longer FDA-approved to treat low testosterone.

Delayed Puberty

In some cases throughout the 20th century, testosterone propionate was used to treat delayed puberty in males. Puberty is a critical development period when secondary intimate characteristics form — think body hair growth and a deepening voice.

Testosterone replacement therapy can help initiate puberty by correcting the underlying testosterone deficiency.

Recreational Use of Testosterone Propionate

Some men use testosterone propionate or other forms of synthetic testosterone to help build muscle. This practice can be effective in the short-term, but it can cause many health problems in the long run due to suppressing the body’s natural testosterone production.

Some online pharmacies outside the United States still sell testosterone propionate, and some don’t require a prescription.

However, according to the FDA, in most cases, it’s illegal to import drugs into the United States for personal use. Taking these drugs can also be dangerous since they may be mislabeled, contain undisclosed ingredients or amounts, or make it easy to overdose.

Testosterone Propionate Benefits

Males have androgen receptors within many bodily tissues. Testosterone binds to these receptors to take action.

Testosterone propionate and other forms of synthetic testosterone can bind to these receptors to reverse the effects of low testosterone.

Testosterone propionate is no longer sold in the United States. That said, some of the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy using other forms of synthetic testosterone can include:

• Increased muscle mass. Testosterone promotes the synthesis of proteins in muscles, leading to muscle growth.

• Enhanced strength. TRT can help improve physical strength by increasing muscle size.

• Improved libido and intimate function. Testosterone plays a crucial role in intimate health. Men with low T often experience reduced libido or ED. Synthetic testosterone can help restore normal intimate function by getting testosterone levels back into the normal range.

• Better recovery. Athletes often use anabolic steroids to speed up recovery after intense physical exertion. This can allow them to train harder, longer, and more frequently.

• Fat loss. Testosterone directly impacts the metabolism of fat in the body. Higher testosterone levels are associated with increased fat burning.

• Improved mood. Low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms like depression, anxiety, and irritability. TRT may help improve mood and mental well-being in those suffering from testosterone deficiency.

If you have signs of low T, your healthcare provider may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to help get your testosterone levels back into a normal range.

Exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating a nutritious diet can help. But sometimes, lifestyle changes alone are enough to increase testosterone levels.

Risks and Side Effects of Testosterone Propionate

While synthetic forms of testosterone have legitimate usages, they’re also prone to abuse for muscle-building and body aesthetics when taken recreationally.

Anabolic steroids can cause adverse effects, especially when they’re not used under medical supervision. This includes:

• Hormonal imbalance. Exogenous testosterone (from sources other than the body) can disrupt the body’s endocrine system. Prolonged use of testosterone propionate could suppress natural testosterone production.

• Cardiovascular and liver issues. High doses of testosterone propionate — when abused for performance enhancement, for instance — can negatively affect cardiovascular health, among other things. Anabolic steroids have been associated with stroke, heart attack, high cholesterol, blood clots, water retention, and liver problems.

• Acne and other skin issues. Testosterone can bump up sebum production (that waxy, oily substance in pores), which may lead to acne, especially for those prone to skin conditions.

• Hair loss. Higher testosterone levels can contribute to hair loss, particularly in men genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

• Mood swings and aggression. Anabolic steroid abuse is sometimes linked to changes in mood, including increased aggression (sometimes called ‘roid rage), mood swings, irritability, paranoia, mania, hallucinations, and delusions.

• Prostate issues. Elevated testosterone levels may exacerbate prostate conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and may potentially worsen prostate cancer.

• Other health problems. Other problems that could arise from taking testosterone recreationally include the development of breast tissue (gynecomastia), intimacy issues like ED, reduced sperm production, or soreness around the injection site.

A Final Word on Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone propionate was FDA-approved for treating conditions linked to low testosterone. It’s no longer approved for use in the U.S., but it’s still sold in some pharmacies in other countries.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Taking testosterone propionate recreationally to help build muscle can be dangerous and cause side effects such as hormonal imbalance and cardiovascular issues.

• Nowadays, other forms of testosterone are more commonly used to correct testosterone levels.

• Testosterone replacement therapy is only available with a prescription in the United States.

If you have signs of low testosterone, you may benefit from talking to a healthcare professional, such as a urologist or an endocrinology specialist. They can advise you on the potential benefits and risks of hormonal therapy.

Related: Can fasting boost testosterone?

Related: Men: What to Do If Your Privates Are Shrinking

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This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org