Testosterone gels can affect women, kids

Testosterone gels can affect women, kids

Could it be «Low T”?

By now, you’ve probably heard this line or seen a multitude of TV or newspaper ads for testosterone gel products. Drug makers have been tapping into this billion dollar market aimed at men over 40, which is when men may start to feel the signs of aging and decreased desire for sexual relations. The gel is easy to use. It’s applied once daily to the shoulders or upper arms. AndroGel can also be applied to the abdomen.

Testosterone is the body’s male hormone. It is primarily responsible for the normal growth and development of male sexual and reproductive organs. It helps maintain bone health, energy levels, mood, and sexual desire. When men have low testosterone levels, doctors may prescribe one of the widely advertised testosterone gel products, such as AndroGel 1 percent and Testim 1 percent, to restore normal levels.

What isn’t emphasized enough about these products is that their use can lead to adverse effects in children who are accidentally exposed to the drug. And that’s not hard to do since it easily gets on your hands, fingers, clothing, and bed sheets. People forget to wash their hands and forget that kids can absorb the drug on contact. Testosterone can also cause harm to a pregnant woman’s developing fetus and can cause the development of masculine characteristics in children and women.

A few years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted several cases of adverse effects in children, caused by skin-to-skin contact with a person using the gel.

Two young sisters whose father used the gel were exposed to AndroGel through clothing and sheets on the bed. The girls experienced pubic hair growth, among other symptoms.

In another case, a 16-month-old boy had an enlarged penis with erections and pubic hair. The father was using the gel for about a year and slept in the same bed as the child, sometimes hugging the baby on his chest.

Other children in the FDA’s report, ranging from 9 months to 5 years, had signs of enlarged reproductive organs, increased sexual feelings, growth of pubic hair, advanced bone age, and aggressive behavior. In most cases, the adverse effects went away when the child was no longer exposed to the drug.

In 2009, the FDA told drug makers to include a warning in the labeling of their products. There is also a MedGuide that pharmacists are supposed to dispense with prescriptions for these products. But despite stronger warnings, we are still seeing occasional reports of accidental exposure.

Men using these products should talk with their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about the proper use of this medicine. To avoid hurting children or a developing fetus, follow these steps when you use testosterone gel products:

Wash your hands with soap and water after every use.

Cover the area with clothing once the gel has dried.

Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water when there will be skin-to skin contact with another person.

Consider asking your doctor whether you can use the patch or roll-on forms of the drug or a tablet that dissolves between your cheek and tongue.

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