Millions of men with hypogonadism use testosterone replacement products. Unfortunately, many products are known to increase the risk of developing blood clots in the legs — also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you were not aware of the risk before taking Striant, you are not alone.
Striant and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Striant is a prescription treatment for men with low testosterone. It delivers testosterone through the mucous membranes in the mouth. When testosterone is absorbed into the bloodstream, it can potentially increase blood platelets. These platelets thicken the blood and may also increase blood pressure. These risk-factors may increase the chances of developing a blood clot in the legs — also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
DVT Information
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a relatively common but dangerous medical condition in which blood clots grow deep inside a muscle in your body. It usually happens in the legs, but can also develop in your arms, chest, pelvis, or other areas of the body. DVT can block circulation or get stuck in a blood vessel in your lungs (pulmonary embolism). The blood clot can also cause severe organ damage and even death within just a few hours.
Symptoms
- Swelling in one or both legs (sometimes occurs suddenly)
- Pain or tenderness in the leg (may only happen when standing or walking)
- Increased warmth in the area of the body with a blood clot
- Red discoloration of the skin
- Enlarged surface veins
Treatment
If you have a serious case of DVT, you may need to be hospitalized to receive an intravenous (IV) “clot-busting” drug called heparin. You may also need to take an oral blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin, to prevent new blood clots from forming. If these medications do not work, doctors may need to perform surgery or use catheter-directed thrombolysis to dissolve the clot.