Testosterone is an important hormone that is present in both women and men. Men often become concerned with how a declining output of this hormone can affect them as they age. Testosterone should only be prescribed for legitimate medical conditions, not for the natural decline in testosterone that comes with aging.
While getting a prescription for testosterone generally involves a doctor’s visit, it is possible to get a testosterone prescription online in some states. You can also fill your testosterone prescription from a valid online pharmacy.
When is a testosterone prescription needed?
We mostly think of testosterone as a sex hormone that affords men many of their traditionally masculine qualities. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the hormone also plays a role in:
- muscle strength and mass;
- sex drive;
- sperm and blood cell production;
- distribution of fat.
Men produce less testosterone with age. This is normal and does not necessarily mean testosterone therapy is needed. Doctors usually prescribe testosterone therapy to men who suffer from hypogonadism. Men with this condition do not produce enough testosterone. It is possible to be born with hypogonadism or to acquire the condition later because of an illness or infection.
The following are the symptoms of hypogonadism:
- hot flashes;
- low libido;
- tiredness;
- difficulty focusing.
Symptoms of hypogonadism are different depending on when the condition developed. Testosterone therapy is the best treatment for men with this condition.
Does the law prohibit patients from buying testosterone online?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains that it is lawful to buy medications, including prescription testosterone, online if:
- You have a valid prescription for the medication from a licensed physician.
- You buy your medication from an online pharmacy that complies with the law.
- Legitimate online pharmacies exist, but they are required to obtain a license and operate legally.
These are signs of a compliant online pharmacy:
- They specify that you must provide a prescription from a doctor before you can purchase anything.
- They have a U.S.-based address.
- They have a licensed pharmacist on staff and are available to answer your questions.
What about telemedicine?
There are countless illegitimate online “pharmacies” that are actually scams, set up to defraud people. You may have run into websites that claim to have their own doctors who can write a prescription online for whatever you need. Many say you only need to fill out a quick questionnaire to get a valid prescription. These are not legitimate prescriptions.
In some states, you can get a valid prescription via a telehealth or telemedicine appointment. But this generally involves a video or phone appointment with a licensed physician. It involves a full consultation with the doctor via phone, text, video, or another form of communication that is not an in-person visit.
The laws on prescribing medication after a telehealth appointment vary by state. For example, the Arkansas State Legislature had a debate regarding what telehealth should be. The state wanted to adopt friendlier policies because many of its residents live in rural areas, which makes access to quality medical care difficult. State law mandates that anyone practicing telemedicine must have a medical license.
The American Psychological Association reports that psychologists who want to offer telemedicine services to their patients must have a license to practice in that state.
While it is possible to get a prescription for testosterone after a telemedicine appointment, many physicians will want to see you in person first. Refills are more likely to be given via a telemedicine visit.
Never buy testosterone from an online pharmacy that doesn’t require a prescription. You may get another substance.
What is testosterone, and why is it prescribed?
Testosterone is an important hormone in men and women. Men who suffer from hypogonadism may receive a prescription for testosterone therapy if their bodies do not naturally make enough testosterone.
Is it possible to buy testosterone online?
Patients can buy testosterone online at a licensed pharmacy if they have a prescription from a doctor.
Some states require that doctors must see patients in person in order to prescribe anything for them. Other states allow prescriptions after telemedicine appointments.
How do I know I am buying testosterone from a legitimate source?
Online pharmacies that work lawfully will always ask to see your prescription before selling you any medication. The website should feature a physical address in the United States.
Legitimate online pharmacies also have qualified licensed pharmacists on staff who can answer your questions.
Illegitimate online pharmacies may offer to provide you with a prescription online after you fill out a short questionnaire. These are not real prescriptions.
These scam pharmacies will not provide a physical address, or they may feature one that is outside the U.S. They often sell medications at very low prices because they are not selling legitimate versions of the drug.
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