Testosterone therapies for men with low levels of the hormone have become increasingly popular in recent years. The American Medical Association issued a report in 2013 that stated that between 2001 and 2011, “the use of hormones among men over 40 increased by almost 360 percent,” as noted by Fox News. These types of therapies, while very popular, come with high associated risks—mostly involving heart failure and function. These are serious side effects for a therapy this common, and many doctors and members of the medical community have started to question whether testosterone therapy is the best option for men with symptoms it is meant to cure.

Symptoms publicized or advertised as those that need testosterone therapy to cure are often simply relative to the normal aging process. This is one reason critics are speaking out against the procedures. Advertisements aimed at men who “need” testosterone therapy asks if the viewer is suffering from symptoms such as low energy, weight gain, fatigue, low sex drive, and depression. “Really, at midlife,” The Washington Post asks, “who isn't?”

Glenn Braunstein, an endocrinologist and vice president of clinical innovation at an L.A. hospital told The Washington Post that these types of symptoms are true of everyone as they age, man or woman. Some men may experience symptoms to a greater severity than others, but this does not necessarily mean a need for testosterone therapy as a cure, especially if prone to exacerbate already-existing conditions, such as a heart problem.

Testosterone therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years as discussions of male hypogonadism have become more commonplace. Male hypogonadism occurs when a man has low levels of testosterone, shorthanded as low T.

To help overcome low T levels, men undergo testosterone therapy to help the body produce the correct levels of hormones that it would not otherwise sufficiently produce.

According to DrugWatch.com, testosterone therapies are an extremely popular treatment, yet recent research has shown that these types of therapies are inextricably linked to higher risks of heart failure and attacks.

Sometimes the most common household items can be the most dangerous products, often made even more so because information regarding their dangers is not widespread or readily available. One of these is talcum powder—commonly known as baby powder.

In the 1970s the first report on the dangers of talcum powder was published. The report found a link between talc particles and ovarian cancer, according to The Huffington Post. Not surprisingly, the medical director for Johnson & Johnson (a leading talcum powder manufacturer) vehemently contested these findings.

For years, The Huffington Post reports, women were encouraged to put talcum powder on themselves as a way to “mask alleged genital odors.” It was not until 1992 that a report in Obstetrics & Gynecology stated that a woman's risk of ovarian cancer was increased three times if she frequently used talcum powder. Since then, more than a dozen other reports have substantiated these findings.

Official warnings have been handed out to several companies advertising autism therapies and cures. Five total treatments were flagged in the statement from the FDA, which was announced during Autism Awareness Month. While some of the therapies are noted as useful medical therapies, there have not been scientific studies that show a connection to autism improvement. Giving families false hope is just negative impact of companies peddling defective medical devices or treatments.

One treatment, known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, deploys a pressure chamber to administer high oxygen levels to a patient. Although it is widely used for decompression sickness, there is no research that it is an effective or safe treatment for autism. Chelation therapies, too, have been criticized because patients may suffer from kidney failure or even death through the process in which heavy metals are drawn out of the body.

The biggest target from the FDA warning are the makers of a product called “Miracle Mineral Solution.” The creator of the product argues that he has found the answer to a range of medical problems like malaria, cancer, herpes, and even AIDS. His solution is a citrus juice and sodium chlorite blend. Patients who have used the mix reported serious vomiting, low blood pressure, and nausea after drinking the product.

The total number of defective medical device recalls in the past decade represents a significant increase, and it raises the question of whether more people are reporting issues or if there are simply more design defects putting patients at risk. Defective devices can injure patients and cause serious physical and mental repercussions when the device does not operate properly.

There are several reasons behind the increase recall numbers, according to Steve Silverman, director of the medical device compliance center at the FDA. Educational workshops and tough FDA inspections have increased the number of devices being pulled from the market, although many of these devices have already caused numerous patient problems long before they are officially recalled. Easier processes for reporting an increased belief in the importance of journaling problems early could be partly behind the increased recalls. However, the jump still raises overall concerns about device safety.

Since so many devices are recalled after being approved for the market, more attention may need to be given to the regulatory process that investigates and approves these products. Too many products are slipping through the cracks, putting patients at risk of serious injury. Software issues alone were one of the biggest reasons that a device was recalled from the market. Hence, manufacturers should also explore options for full testing of all software components. Better research and design investment in medical devices could help to reduce the number of recalled products as well as the numbers of patients who are hurt. The most commonly recalled medical devices are radiological, followed by cardiovascular, chemistry, and other hospital equipment devices.