Research
Hormonal
Testosterone replacement therapy in elderly men increases muscle mass and strength but has unpredictable effects on the prostate, limiting its clinical utility.
For elderly men with clinically diagnosed low testosterone, replacement therapy can improve muscle mass and strength. However, it is not a cure for impotence (often caused by vascular issues) and carries unpredictable prostate risks. It should only be considered after careful evaluation of prostate health and benefits vs. risks.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
The data available point to a positive effect on muscle mass and strength... T replacement therapy in elderly men is limited in its use, however, because of its unpredictable effects on the size of the prostate.
Why this rating
Cites studies but notes 'few long-term, placebo-controlled studies' and 'no firm data' on prostate cancer growth.
Source
The Endocrinology of Aging
Steven W. J. Lamberts et al. · Science · 1997
DOI 10.1126/science.278.5337.419
narrative_reviewCited 981×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Growth Hormone (GH) replacement in elderly individuals increases muscle mass and decreases fat mass but does not improve muscle strength or functional capacity unless combined with resistance exercise.Moderate
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