What Is Low Testosterone?

The impact of testosterone

Testosterone is an important male hormone produced mainly in the testicles. While testosterone helps the body develop male characteristics during puberty, it also plays a central role in maintaining healthy sexual function, energy, mood, and body composition in adult males.

Low testosterone, or “Low T,” is a condition that affects as many as 13 million American men1. It occurs when the body is unable to produce sufficient quantities of testosterone. The medical name for low testosterone is hypogonadism. It can be caused by many factors, including certain genetic conditions, testicular damage or infection, and exposure to toxins, radiation, or chemotherapy2. Low testosterone is often associated with aging. The goal of testosterone replacement therapy is to return testosterone levels into the normal range and relieve symptoms.

  1. Mulligan, Int J Clin Pract. 2006;60:762-769.
  2. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of hypogonadism in adult male patients-2002 update. Endocr Pract. 2002;8:439-456.

Important Safety Information: Testim® is a prescription medicine used to treat hypogonadism, a medical condition that occurs when the body does not make enough testosterone. Only your doctor can decide if Testim is right for you. Testim should not be used by men with known or suspected cancer of the prostate or breast. Testim has not been approved or evaluated for use in women, and must not be used by women. Testosterone may cause fetal harm. Pregnant and nursing women, as well as children, should avoid skin contact with Testim application sites in men. In controlled clinical studies of Testim, the most common side effects reported were redness/irritation at the application site (4%) and above normal red blood cell count (2%).