Testosterone pills are oral medications used to supplement the amount of testosterone produced in the body. The pills are necessary in situations when conditions exist that inhibit the body’s natural ability to create testosterone, such as trauma to the pituitary gland or the testes. There are two main types of pills used to treat low testosterone levels and restore a normal balance of male hormones.
Because chemically unbound testosterone supplements would be rendered harmless as they passed through the liver, testosterone pills are modified to allow the components to safely pass through the liver and be absorbed properly. Two of the more common formulas are known as methyltestosterone and testosterone undecanoate. Over time, some evidence that methyltestosterone can cause some damage to the liver has come to light. Many medical professionals around the world now tend to favor testosterone undecanoate, as it is absorbed through the small intestine and has less of a chance to negatively impact the liver. This second option with oral testosterone replacement is not currently approved for use everywhere, however, and it is not available in the United States.
Along with type, testosterone pills are also administered in two different ways. Some forms are taken with water and swallowed in the same fashion as many other types of medication. There are also sublingual pills that are placed under the tongue and allowed to be absorbed into the body as they dissolve.
While pills of both kinds can be effective in helping to treat low testosterone levels, there are benefits and drawbacks to their usage. The main benefit is the ease of use, since swallowing a pill or allowing it to dissolve under the tongue is a quick process that can be done at any time and in many different circumstances. The pills are normally processed and eliminated from the body in a short period of time, however, sometimes as little as three hours. This means frequent dosages must be administered in order to maintain testosterone levels. The need for several doses each day can make this option cost-prohibitive when compared to other treatments that are employed to raise testosterone levels.
As with any type of hormone replacement therapy, it is important that testosterone only be taken under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. This makes it possible to routinely test the levels of testosterone in the body and make sure the treatments are helping to maintain a level that is within a normal range. A medical professional can adjust the dosage on an as needed basis if the origin of the decreased testosterone level was due to temporary trauma to the body, such as surgery or an accident that temporarily impaired the ability of the body to produce testosterone.