Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has garnered considerable attention in the medical community. While discussions often focus on its benefits for sexual health and energy levels, ample research has highlighted its benefits for cardiovascular health.
That might be surprising since there are many rumors claiming that TRT increases the risk of cardiovascular events, like heart attacks or strokes. Here’s how medical science has ruled on cardiovascular risk over the years, according to a recent interview published in Medscape:
- Before 2010, studies suggested that testosterone may be protective against cardiovascular disease, without increasing risk for cardiovascular events.
- From 2010 to 2014, there were four studies published that again suggested an increased risk for cardiovascular events. However, these studies had a lot of limitations, as they were neither randomized or placebo controlled.
- In September of 2014, the FDA decided that further investigation was required.
Testosterone and Cardiovascular Health—The TRAVERSE Trial
To meet that need for more conclusive findings the TRAVERSE trial was initiated, with data gathered from May 2018 through February 2022.
The placebo-controlled research project studied more than 5200 men with low testosterone, randomized to get testosterone gel or a placebo. Each test subject either had preexisting cardiovascular disease or at least three out of eight cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
The critical finding was this:
There was no increase in cardiac events throughout the study.
The TRAVERSE Trial Findings on Sexual Health
The TRAVERSE Trial found that TRT increased sexual activity among the 1000 men participating in this portion of the study, specifically increases were found in erectile function and libido, with benefits lasting up to 24 months.
If you’d like to know more about these TRT benefits on sexual performance, we recommend the blog post found here.
Prostate Cancer Conclusions from the TRAVERSE TRIAL
It has also been said often that TRT can cause or worsen prostate cancer. The TRAVERSE Trial also studied this aspect of supplementary testosterone treatment effects.
5200 men were randomly selected to receive either testosterone gel or placebo, with the primary interest in its effects on high-grade prostate cancer.
To quote the Medscape interview:
“They found no increased risk in high-grade prostate cancer — no increased risk in any type of prostate cancer. In fact, there were only 23 cancers out of 5200 men (11 in the placebo group and 12 in the treatment group). No significant difference whatsoever.”
The secondary area of interest was whether their urinary symptoms worsened, meaning their IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) increased, they showed a need for surgery, or the need for medication to treat worsening urinary conditions.
The TRAVERSE Trial found no increased risk for worsening of urinary symptoms—the first large-scale study to find significant results.
You’ll find on the warning label of TRT products to be careful because urinary symptoms could worsen, but the TRAVERSE Trial shows that to be entirely false.
(You can read more on the Traverse Trials in this article from the Cleveland Clinic.)
This groundbreaking research certainly provides good news to men who have lost the best versions of themselves to the ravages of low testosterone.
As always, anyone considering TRT should work with healthcare providers to weigh the benefits against any potential risks and tailor the approach to individual health needs. Advancements in understanding testosterone’s role in health offer promising avenues for improving the quality and longevity of life, particularly in maintaining robust cardiovascular health.