Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone Replacement Therapy has been a subject of much research and use among fighters and the general population.  Recently, a top condender, Vitor Belfort has been missed out on a title shot for use of TRT which has recently be banned by the Nevada athletic commission.  Other fighters, such as Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen have also been affected by the banning of TRT.

The increase in use has had mixed receptions from those who just want to see exciting fights at all costs to those who believe that TRT diminishes the integrity of the sport of mixed martial arts.  Many times the acceptance of drugs such as TRT are accepted based on the quality of marketing.  Their marketing scheme has made TRT be perceived as something other than steroids, which it is.  Testosterone is a major steroid that contributes to the secondary characteristics that are associated with men, such as: sperm production, sex drive, large muscles and deep voices.

Many of the commercials on TV market towards those with decreased libido.  The question "Are you suffering from Low T?" has become more and more popular.  TRT has become big businesses, and the prescription of this drug for decrease sex drive has become an increasingly accepted form of treatment.

One effect of TRT is the increased production of RBC's, which is initially a good thing for those in MMA, as they will have increased oxygen flow thus increased stamina, which can be a great thing when standing toe to toe with someone trying to take your head off.  However, this also increases the volume of the red blood cells that the heart must pump throughout the body, and this may lead to a deadly combination especially when considering how physically fatiguing MMA can be.  An article in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" even reported an increase of 30% in deaths and heart attacks in older men.  However, these results are disputed by various sources such as in this Harvard article.  TRT

Should TRT be banned in the interest of promoting fair competition or the in the interest of preventing cardiovascular problems?  Will the banning of TRT simply lead to the advancement of the use of similar, possibly synthetic hormones?  Should contact sports simply just be a laboratory for the advancement of human performance, do you as one comedian put it... "just want to see a MF fly."