Can testosterone restore sexual functioning?

In the rare case that a man has a hormone imbalance, testosterone may restore his desire and erections. But hormones are too often used without careful thought. Most men have enough testosterone, even after age 50 or 60. Taking extra hormones will not cure a sexual problem. In fact, it can have serious side effects.

One big problem is that extra testosterone could cause undetected prostate cancer to grow and spread. Men who have had prostate cancer should never take testosterone pills or shots, even if their own hormone levels are low. Testosterone is most helpful as a short-term way to restore sexual desire and erections in men who have damaged testicles from large doses of radiation or chemo. But very few men really need extra hormones.