Testosterone supplements have generated controversy in their use in older men. While the drugs help regulate development and maintenance of sexual characteristics in men who lack healthy levels of the hormone as a result of disease, it’s unclear whether they provide a similar benefit to males who take them to counteract testosterone declines caused by aging, FDA staff said.
It’s possible that as men grow older, replacing diminishing testosterone may provide few benefits such as warding off osteoporosis, increasing muscle mass and energy, while raising users’ risk of heart attack and other health complications, said FDA officials.
(An earlier version of this story was clarified to show the vote was taken by the advisory panel.)