Because bioidentical hormones have the same chemical structure as the hormones your body produces, there are relatively few side effects. However, there are some risks associated with the use of TRT. These depend on several factors.
- Worsening sleep apnea: A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly.
- Cause acne or other skin reactions.
- Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and the growth of existing prostate cancer.
- Breast enlargement.
- Limiting sperm production or causing the testicles to shrink.
- Stimulate excessive production of red blood cells, which contributes to increasing the risk of forming a blood clot. A clot may break off, travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism).