Testosterone Replacement Therapy, also called TRT, is a medical treatment for men who have low levels of testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that plays a vital role in a man's body. It helps with energy, muscle strength, mood, and sex drive.
As men get older, their testosterone levels usually decrease over time. This can lead to problems like feeling tired all the time, losing interest in sex, feeling sad or grumpy, or finding it more challenging to build muscle. Some younger men also have low testosterone because of health problems or stress.
TRT is used to bring testosterone levels back to normal. It can help men feel more like themselves again. Doctors can give TRT through injections, skin gels, patches, or tiny pellets placed under the skin.
Many people today are talking about TRT. Some call it a treatment for "manopause" because it helps with symptoms that are like what some women go through in menopause. More men are looking into TRT to improve their energy, sleep, focus, and confidence.
In this blog, we will look at the benefits of TRT, how it works, who might need it, and what the risks are. By the end, you will have a clear idea of what TRT can do and whether it might be helpful for you or someone you care about.
Testosterone is a hormone made in a man’s body. It helps with many things like building muscles, giving you energy, helping you sleep, and keeping your bones strong. It also plays a significant role in mood, focus, and sex drive.
As men get older, their testosterone levels slowly go down. This usually starts around the age of 30. For some men, the drop is small and not a problem. But for others, the levels drop too much and start to cause health issues.
When testosterone is too low, a man might feel:
These problems can make daily life harder. Some men find it challenging to keep up at work, feel unhappy in their relationships, or lose their self-confidence.
Doctors can check testosterone levels with a simple blood test. If the levels are very low, and the man feels unwell, a doctor might suggest Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). This treatment helps bring testosterone levels back to normal.
Sometimes, making healthy changes like eating better, sleeping well, exercising, and lowering stress can also help. But if these don’t work, TRT could be the next step.
Many studies show that TRT can help men with low testosterone feel better. For example, a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that TRT improved energy, mood, and muscle strength in men who had low levels.
Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, is a treatment where the hormone testosterone is given to make up for lower levels that the body isn't making enough of on its own.
It's called "replacement" because when you add testosterone from outside the body, the body's production tends to slow down or stop, which can be managed by using another treatment called HCG.
After you turn 30, your testosterone levels usually drop about 1% each year. Also, as you age, a protein called SHBG that binds testosterone increases, meaning less free testosterone is available in your body.
For some men, this drop in testosterone can lead to symptoms of low testosterone. Younger men might have low levels due to other issues like testicular damage from cancer or varicoceles, problems with the pituitary gland, genetic conditions affecting sexual development, or sometimes the cause is just not known.
Jung and Shin's study in 2016 found that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help improve mental health for men who don't have enough testosterone. They saw that these men improved at remembering things, thinking clearly, and feeling happier.
They didn't find many side effects from the treatment, and none were severe. A lot of men who started the therapy felt their minds become more apparent, especially if they had been feeling confused or forgetful before, a condition often called 'brain fog'.The study also mentioned that TRT might help men feel more motivated and driven because it improves blood flow in the brain. This is interesting because our brains have androgen receptors that respond to hormones like testosterone, which means these hormones could be important for how our brain cells work. The researchers also thought about how TRT could help men with other mental health issues, especially mentioning a study on men with early Alzheimer's. In this study, men with Alzheimer's or mild memory problems who received TRT showed improvement on memory and thinking tests after six weeks compared to those who didn't receive the treatment. This suggests TRT might help with brain functions. This finding is exciting and suggests we need to study it more. There's some evidence that low testosterone can reduce blood flow in parts of the body, and improving testosterone levels can help with conditions like diabetes that also lower blood flow to particular areas.
Hackett, in 2017, discovered that men who have type 2 diabetes and low testosterone levels experienced significant improvements in their sexual desire and how well they could have erections after they started using testosterone replacement therapy. We often notice this in our patients within the first six months of starting TRT.
Similarly, Khera, in 2011, found that using a testosterone gel as part of TRT helped improve sexual activities, including desire, in a large-scale study with 840 men.
We commonly see these positive changes in our patients within the first 6 months of starting their TRT treatment.
There are lots of treatments out there for erectile dysfunction, and many work well for guys who have physical reasons, making it hard to get an erection.
But sometimes, the problem isn't just about getting an erection, which could be due to physical or chemical issues in the body. It's also about not feeling the desire or interest in being intimate. This lack of interest and passion can be a big reason behind erectile dysfunction for some men, and it's often linked to having low levels of testosterone.
For men whose erectile dysfunction is caused by low testosterone, getting those testosterone levels back to normal can often help them get back to having normal erections.
Even though there are some side effects to watch out for, using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) the right way can make you healthier and could even help you live longer.
An extensive study recently showed that TRT can lower the chances of dying from any cause, especially when compared to guys who didn't take TRT and had low testosterone levels. There's also good evidence that testosterone is good for your heart's health.
Goodale and their team have said there's no proof that TRT raises the risk of heart problems; much evidence shows it doesn't.
They also mentioned how TRT had been found to help with heart issues, improve the ability to exercise in people with heart failure, and help control blood sugar levels in men with diabetes or at risk for diabetes.
Testosterone in men also turns into oestrogen, which is essential. If testosterone levels are low, oestrogen levels are also low, and oestrogen is necessary to protect the heart and bones and aid in healing.
Plus, it's well known that men with low testosterone are more likely to have heart problems compared to men with normal testosterone levels.
Many studies show how amazing testosterone can increase muscle mass and strength and reduce body fat in men.
A lot of men who start taking testosterone notice a significant change in how their body looks pretty quickly.
Testosterone helps build muscle by making the body use proteins better to grow muscles. It also makes your muscles and nerves work together better, making you stronger. This is all part of how testosterone works in the body, including the effects of a related hormone called DHT.
Men with more testosterone usually have less fat around their belly and organs, which is excellent because too much of this kind of fat can be bad for your health and increase the risk of dying earlier.
But TRT isn't a quick fix. While it's great at helping build muscle, it doesn't just melt away fat. Staying active and eating healthy are still very important. The good news is that testosterone can make it easier to stick to your diet and lose fat if that's been tough.
A common issue linked with low testosterone is a decrease in bone density. This is partly because of the low testosterone itself and partly because of the resulting drop in oestrogen levels, as oestrogen in men is made from testosterone.
Boosting testosterone levels can enhance bone density, especially in the spine, where older men often experience compression fractures.
The primary influence on bone density is likely due to oestradiol levels, which, in men, is a secondary effect of testosterone since it's converted from testosterone by the aromatase enzyme.
Therefore, men with low testosterone tend to have weaker bones, and increasing testosterone levels can also raise oestrogen levels, contributing to stronger bones.
For most people, it takes about 3 to 6 months to fully experience the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Some improvements, like stronger bones, less body fat, and more muscle, may continue to improve for more than 6 months.
While many men start seeing some positive changes early in their TRT treatment, many things can affect how quickly these improvements happen.
Firstly, TRT is a journey that needs time to get right. Working closely with your doctor to monitor blood tests and tweak your doses as needed is essential. The initial dose might cause your testosterone and oestrogen levels to go up, which could mask the benefits and make it seem like your testosterone is still low. Sometimes, the starting dose is too low, and you must increase it to achieve the desired levels. In both cases, a blood test by a specialist doctor is critical to ensuring your dose is adjusted safely.
Secondly, the kind of testosterone you use can change how quickly you notice changes. A fast-acting form like testosterone propionate might work quicker than a longer-lasting form like Nebido, which takes more time to start working because of its more extended structure.
Androgenix doctors usually suggest using medium-lasting forms like testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate, which can take about 6 weeks to reach complete levels in your blood. However, men with lower testosterone might start to feel better even before these levels are fully built up.
Thirdly, it takes time for some of these improvements to show up. Generally, you might start feeling better in mood and desire in a few weeks to a couple of months if your dose is correct and your oestrogen levels are balanced. Changes in your body, like muscle growth, can take much longer.
Saad and his team in 2011 looked into how long it takes for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to start working and found that
Finally, how quickly you see the benefits of testosterone therapy can also depend on a few personal things:
Starting testosterone levels: If your testosterone levels are deficient when you begin treatment, you might notice the effects of the added testosterone more quickly.
Sensitivity of androgen receptors: Some guys might not respond to testosterone as well because their body's androgen receptors (which testosterone needs to work on) are less sensitive. This could be from past steroid use. On the other hand, some men have more of these receptors, which helps them react better to the increase in testosterone. This can vary due to a genetic variation known as CAG length.
Other unknown factors: Some men naturally experience greater fluctuations in testosterone and oestrogen. Also, some people's bodies might turn testosterone into oestrogen more quickly because they have more of an enzyme called aromatase. This could make the benefits of testosterone therapy less noticeable for them.
Is testosterone replacement therapy safe for long-term use
Testosterone replacement therapy is generally safe for long-term use when monitored by a qualified doctor. Regular blood tests and health check-ups are essential to track hormone levels, prostate health, and red blood cell count. TRT safety depends on individual health conditions and proper dosing.
Who is a good candidate for TRT treatment
A good candidate for TRT treatment is someone with clinically low testosterone levels and symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, or muscle loss. A proper diagnosis through blood tests is required before starting therapy. A healthcare provider, not self-administered, must prescribe TRT.
How long does it take to see results from testosterone replacement therapy
Results from testosterone replacement therapy can begin within a few weeks, such as improved mood or energy. Muscle gains, fat loss, and better sex drive often take a few months. Long-term changes like stronger bones or improved heart health may take 6–12 months or more.
What are the side effects of TRT in men?
Common side effects of TRT in men include acne, oily skin, swelling, and increased red blood cells. Some men may also experience mood swings or sleep problems. In rare cases, TRT may affect fertility or increase the risk of blood clots if not carefully monitored.
Does TRT help with weight loss and belly fat in men
Yes, TRT can help reduce belly fat and improve body composition in men with low testosterone. When combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, TRT may increase lean muscle and reduce fat. It helps regulate metabolism, making weight management easier over time.
Is TRT effective for improving low libido and erectile dysfunction
TRT is effective for improving low libido and may help with mild erectile dysfunction caused by low testosterone. It increases sex drive and can enhance sexual satisfaction. However, it may not work if other health issues like heart disease or diabetes cause the erectile problems.
Can testosterone therapy improve mood and mental clarity
Testosterone therapy can improve mood, reduce feelings of depression, and boost mental clarity in men with low testosterone. It may also help with focus, memory, and confidence. Studies show that restoring healthy testosterone levels can make men feel more balanced and positive.
Are there natural alternatives to testosterone replacement therapy
Natural alternatives to testosterone replacement therapy include strength training, better sleep, stress management, and eating foods that support hormone health, like healthy fats and zinc. These changes can help increase testosterone naturally, especially in men with borderline or slightly low levels.
This summary touches on some key benefits of TRT. To truly experience these benefits, seeking specialized treatment with the proper medications is essential.
In the EU, obtaining these medications can be difficult, and they're only sometimes available through the public healthcare system.
At Androgenix, we offer the highest standard of TRT, tailored to your unique needs and body, ensuring the most effective treatment with minimal side effects.
Our approach includes using HCG to maintain fertility and natural hormone production and to manage hormonal side effects that can occur with TRT alone.
If you're interested in exploring treatment options with us, please reach out for more information and professional guidance.