A recent study found that one concern with testosterone therapy may be unfounded, but several other concerns remain, and may result in mass legal action.

Androgen supplements are designed to add testosterone to the body. As males age, they produce less testosterone, which can decrease energy, lower libido, and increase the risk of depression. These products can include testosterone gel and testosterone cream products that are designed to be rubbed onto the skin.

In January 2014, the Journal of Sexual Medicine published an article that found that various testosterone replacement products have no discernable effect on the risk of death posed by prostate cancer. Androgens are a group of hormones, more commonly known as testosterone. Androgen replacement/supplements are intended to combat the effects of declining testosterone levels associated with aging in males.

Since the cells of the prostate sometimes change in response to elevated testosterone levels, scientists suspect that testosterone replacement medications could increase the risk of lethal forms of prostate cancer. Current recommendations for these medications advise patients and physicians to avoid their use in males with enlarged prostates and existing prostate cancers. These findings suggest that such precautions may not be necessary.

The researchers examined data from almost 150,000 men with prostate cancer. More than 1,000 of the subjects were on some form of testosterone replacement therapy. Curiously, the study indicated that overall mortality was lower in the group on testosterone replacement therapy.

However, other studies have linked testosterone replacement drugs to an increased risk of other life-threatening medical treatments. For example, research published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that testosterone side effects increased the risk of cardiovascular issues in patients with preexisting heart/blood vessel disease. This included life-threatening medical emergencies like heart attack, stroke and death. A different study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that many men are being prescribed androgen even though they have normal testosterone levels.

A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to explore the possibility of legal action against the manufacturers of testosterone-replacement products. Such a lawsuit could allege that manufacturers were aware of the risks associated with these products, and failed to adequately warn the public of these risks, endangering them. These testosterone therapy lawsuits could seek to recoup medical costs, final expenses, and lost income potential.

You may be eligible for compensation if you or a loved one suffered from heart attack, stroke or death after using one of the following androgen replacement products:

• AndroGel
• Androderm
• Axiron
• Bio-T-Gel
• Delatestryl
• Depo-Testosterone
• Fortesta
• Striant
• Testim
• Testopel
• Others