Testosterone boosters are supplements containing ingredients believed to increase testosterone levels in men. These products target issues like low energy, poor muscular development, and reduced libido. As teenagers naturally peak in testosterone, some may consider testosterone boosters to accelerate masculinization. But are these products safe or recommend for adolescents still developing? Let’s see what doctors and science reveal about risks.
Why Teens Should Not Take Testosterone Boosters
Medical professionals and health authorities overwhelmingly advise against teenagers utilitizing testosterone boosting supplements due to concerns over safety and long-term developmental impacts.
For example, leading pediatric authority Dr. Carole Hankin states: “Children and teenagers should never use hormone supplements meant for adults as the high concentrations can prematurely signal their bodies to stop producing hormones naturally.” Source: https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Are-Hormone-Supplements-Safe-for-Children-Teens
The Endocrine Society similarly cautions adolescents about using testosterone boosters, citing evidence these products may suppress the body’s innate testosterone production via negative feedback loops. Source: https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/testosterone
There are also unknown risks associated with teens consuming concentrated plant and herb extracts found in testosterone boosters. While generally well-tolerated in adults, pediatric responses differ and require much more careful oversight around safety.
Overall, healthcare authorities uniformly agree adolescents have no medical need and substantial potential safety risks associated with taking testosterone enhancing supplements.
Health Risks and Side Effects
What potential health issues may arise for teenagers using testosterone boosters? Concerning risks include:
Premature Closure of Growth Plates
Research shows excessively high sex hormone levels can abruptly close growth plates in the long bones prematurely, hindering a teen’s final growth potential.
Mood/Behavioral Changes
Introducing high concentrations of plant compounds and hormones carries unpredictable neurological and behavioral impacts for adolescents, including potential aggression or emotional imbalance.
Cardiac Issues
Elevated testosterone also raises the risk for cardiac changes like left ventricular hypertrophy, high blood pressure, and disturbed cholesterol profiles.
Suppressed HPTA Function
Excessive testosterone from supplements can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) over time, leading to shrunken testicle size/function. This causes long-term dependency on external testosterone with lasting effects.
The above risks are why pediatricians strongly caution against teenagers utilizing testosterone boosting supplements. Doing so provides unpredictable safety and irreversible developmental impacts.
The Takeaway on Safety for Teenagers
In conclusion, respected medical organizations uniformly agree adolescents have no appropriate need and serious potential safety hazards associated with using testosterone enhancing supplements. Teens wishing to support their natural development should instead focus on healthy lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Introducing concentrated, bioactive compounds intended for deficient adult men seems universally inadvisable for still-developing teenagers.