A federal advisory panel is signaling support for major changes that could make testosterone therapy easier to access. Experts advising the Food and Drug Administration said current rules may be overly restrictive and no longer reflect modern medical evidence. The panel suggested reconsidering testosterone’s status as a controlled substance and widening eligibility beyond a narrow set of medical conditions.
Testosterone therapy is often prescribed for men with clinically low hormone levels, which can cause fatigue, sexual problems and bone loss. Panel members said long-standing safety concerns have discouraged proper screening and treatment. More recent large studies have not found the heart risks that once led to strict warnings, though doctors would still need to monitor side effects such as blood pressure changes.
Experts stressed that testosterone therapy is not right for everyone. Potential risks include reduced fertility and blood clots, and some symptoms can improve with lifestyle changes or other treatments. While regulators said the discussions are still exploratory, the recommendations suggest testosterone policy may shift toward broader, more routine medical use in the future.
SOURCE: