What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. Acting via the androgen receptor, it affects muscle, bone, red blood cell production, libido and sex characteristics. The different esters mainly differ in how long they act after injection.
How well studied is Testosterone?
Very well studied: testosterone has been approved for decades as replacement therapy for confirmed male hypogonadism. Evidence on non-medical high-level use (bodybuilding) comes mostly from observational studies and case reports documenting clear harm.
What side effects and risks does Testosterone have?
Even under medical treatment: rising haemoglobin/haematocrit (polycythaemia, thrombosis risk), need for prostate monitoring, oedema, higher blood pressure, acne. With misuse the FDA additionally lists heart attack, heart failure, stroke, depression, aggression, dependence and infertility; unfavourable blood lipids (HDL falls). The body's own hormone production is suppressed and may take many months to recover after stopping – sometimes incompletely. In women, virilisation (deeper voice, facial hair, partly irreversible).
Is Testosterone approved in Germany?
In short: yes. Approved as a medicine in Germany/EU (hypogonadism) and prescription-only; treatment belongs under medical supervision with lab monitoring. WADA S1 (prohibited at all times). Under Germany's Anti-Doping Act (AntiDopG), trading and supplying are prohibited, and even acquiring or possessing a “non-small quantity” (set by the Doping Substances Quantity Ordinance) is a criminal offence – including for recreational athletes and for personal use. Black-market products are frequently counterfeit, mislabelled or contaminated.
Sources
- Testosteron – Gelbe Liste
- Ärzteblatt: FDA warnt vor Missbrauch und Abhängigkeit von Anabolika/Testosteron (2016)
- Polyglobulie bei Missbrauch von androgenen anabolen Steroiden – Swiss Medical Forum 2019
Note: We deliberately do not list any doses here. For approved medicines, your doctor sets the dose; for unapproved substances there is no reliable information.