Benefits of TRT:
A Deeper Look

Top 6 benefits of TRT

There are multiple benefits of TRT on the mind and body. Read on to learn more about how TRT can help you.

Understanding Testosterone

Testosterone is the major sex hormone in males. Testosterone is essential for the development of male sex characteristics and for the maintenance of the secondary male characteristics associated with masculinity.¹ Testosterone concentrations in the body naturally decline as men age. Between 10-40% of men around the globe have been diagnosed with testosterone deficiency.²

Read on to learn more about this type of treatment and the various benefits of TRT.

Fundamentals of Testosterone

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, is a treatment for the symptoms of low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism. In 2013, an estimated 2.3 million American men began testosterone treatment.³ There are many benefits of TRT. Testosterone treatment provides the body with an external source of testosterone to help bring levels back into a normal range.

What Happens to Testosterone Levels with Age?

Testosterone levels in men begin to decline after the age of 40, with total testosterone levels declining an average of 1.6% each year.⁴ As testosterone levels continue to decline over time, the physical and mental effects of decreased testosterone may worsen as well.

Testosterone replacement therapy is used to treat the symptoms of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is diagnosed in patients with a serum testosterone concentration of less than 300 ng/dL in combination with specific symptoms. The symptoms of hypogonadism can include:⁵

Lower sex drive than normal
Fewer erections
Loss of body hair
Low bone mineral density
Gynecomastia
Smaller testes
Erectile dysfunction

Signs of Low Testosterone

There are several indicators of low testosterone that patients should consider bringing up to a medical care provider. Those suffering from low testosterone might look into the benefits of TRT.

Mental and Psychological Symptoms

Low testosterone negatively impacts mental and emotional health. The signs of low testosterone often manifest in the mind as:

Depression
Reduced self-confidence
Difficulty concentrating
Disturbed sleep

Physical Symptoms

Low testosterone also can cause physical decline and imbalance. The signs of low testosterone in the body may appear as:

Declining muscle and bone mass
Increased body fat
Fatigue
Swollen and tender breasts
Flushing or hot flashes

Conditions that Cause Low Testosterone

There are two main types of hypogonadism: primary hypogonadism and secondary hypogonadism. However, there are still many other potential causes of low testosterone.

Primary Hypogonadism

In primary hypogonadism, low testosterone occurs as a result of a problem in the testicles.⁶ Potential causes of primary hypogonadism include genetic disorders, orchitis, trauma, and chemotherapy.⁷ Patients who have a history of any of those events and who are experiencing the symptoms of hypogonadism should speak to a medical provider about the benefits of TRT.

Secondary Hypogonadism

In secondary hypogonadism, low testosterone occurs as a result of an issue in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland of the brain.⁸ These parts of the brain signal the testicles to produce testosterone. Secondary hypogonadism can be caused by Kallmann’s syndrome, tumor, trauma, radiation, sarcoidosis, or tuberculosis.⁹

A Deeper Look at Hypogonadism

Cancer (Testicular, Prostate, or Male Breast Cancer)

Men who undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer treatment may experience temporary reduced testosterone production and sperm production.¹⁰Disclosing recent cancer treatment dates to a medical care provider is essential for an accurate diagnosis of hypogonadism. In a study of 209 men treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer, 32% of patients had testosterone concentrations below the normal range following treatment.¹¹

In a 5-year follow-up of testosterone levels in men following treatment for testicular cancer, over 13% of patients exhibited testosterone concentrations below the normal range.¹²Impaired testosterone production following serious treatment for cancer is common. For men who have a history of testicular, prostate, or male breast cancer, the symptoms can be properly evaluated in combination with the measurement of serum testosterone concentration to determine if testosterone treatment is an appropriate course of action. This is when the benefits of TRT can be life changing.

Bilateral Orchiectomy/Orchidectomy

A bilateral orchiectomy or orchidectomy is the surgical removal of one or both testicles. An orchiectomy may be performed as a part of cancer treatment. Following an orchiectomy, serum testosterone concentrations are expected to be less than 50 ng/dL.¹³

It is important for any patient considering TRT to mention an orchiectomy in their medical history before beginning treatment. A medical care professional can best determine if TRT will effectively treat the symptoms of low testosterone in patients who have had a bilateral orchiectomy or orchidectomy.

Injuries to the Testicles

Men who have sustained an injury to both testicles may have reduced testosterone production as a result.¹⁴ Testosterone production will not recover following a severe testicle injury, but testosterone replacement therapy serves as a good source of external testosterone for the body.

Delayed Puberty

Delayed puberty is characterized by the absence of testicular enlargement past the age of 14 , and about 2% of the adolescent population is estimated to be affected by delayed puberty.¹⁵ In the absence of testicular enlargement, testosterone production is lower than normal. Adults who experienced delayed puberty in adolescence may have lower concentrations of serum testosterone in adulthood. If the symptoms of hypogonadism are also present, testosterone replacement therapy may be able to offer relief.

The Normal Aging Process

Testosterone concentration naturally declines in men as they age. Low testosterone is estimated to affect about 30% of men 60 years of age and older.¹⁶ It is important for aging men to discuss declining testosterone with a medical care provider to determine if they are hypogonadal.

Six Benefits of TRT on the Mind and Body

The advantages of testosterone replacement therapy include improvements to a patient’s physical and mental health, and often additionally positive changes to social life as well. Testosterone replacement therapy results are seen in patients over the course of several months. Understanding the benefits of TRT is an important step in determining if the testosterone treatment process will meet each patient’s individual health goals.

Cardiovascular and Endothelial Health

Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with benefits to cardiovascular and endothelial health. TRT has previously been linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but the current evidence is insufficient to make an official determination on the risk-to-benefit ratio. In the human body, the endothelial cell layer plays an important role in the prevention of vascular disorders.¹⁷

Men who have hypogonadism have fewer endothelial progenitor cells, which are essential for the repair of damaged endothelial cell layers. In a study of patients taking testosterone replacement therapy for 6 months, the levels of endothelial progenitor cells were significantly increased.¹⁸ These results are indicative of a positive relationship between the maintenance of endothelial health and replacement testosterone therapy.

A more recent study supported these results, finding that mean circulating endothelial progenitor cell numbers were significantly increased after 3 months of replacement testosterone therapy.¹⁹

Improved Lean Muscle Mass

The link between TRT therapy and muscle gain is best described as increases to lean muscle mass and decreases to mean fat mass. In an analysis of multiple trials on the strength effects of TRT, it was found that lower extremity strength increased by greater than 10% in patients who received intramuscular testosterone injections.²⁰ When patients begin to experience the effects of testosterone on muscular strength, further advancements can be made through increased exercise.

Building muscle on TRT and using TRT to help lose weight are both possible benefits of testosterone therapy. TRT energy levels may also be elevated in patients who prioritize exercise in combination with testosterone treatment. Patients hoping to see improvements to muscle mass and strength as a result of TRT treatment should express these goals to a medical care provider.

Increased Bone Density and Strength

For hypogonadal men who have also been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it may be encouraging to hear that the benefits of testosterone include improved bone mineral density and prevention of further declines in bone strength.²¹

In a study of 1,083 test subjects, it was found that testosterone treatment improved bone density 3.7% at the lumbar spine.²² A more recent study found a 10.8% improvement of estimated spine trabecular bone strength following testosterone treatment for 12 months.²³

Better Cognition and Memory

The health benefits of TRT extend to the capacity of improved cognitive function. In a study of 106 men, 54 of which were given TRT, there was significant improvements to cognitive function were seen among the patients who exhibited cognitive impairment at the beginning of the trial.²⁴

Improved cognitive function allows individuals to be better equipped to handle challenging mental tasks and to retain information that may have previously felt difficult to remember. Patients who are not experiencing cognitive impairment as a result of hypogonadism are less likely to feel improvements to cognitive function and memory.

Restored Libido and Vitality

Issues with libido and energy levels are a common concern for hypogonadal men. Fortunately, there is evidence that testosterone replacement therapy improves libido and erectile function in hypogonadal men.²⁵A meta-analysis of studies exploring the impact of testosterone found that testosterone therapy improved erectile function, libido, intercourse satisfaction, and overall sexual satisfaction in men diagnosed with hypogonadism.²⁶

Also, the T-Trials found that 20% of men in the testosterone-treatment study group reported that their sexual desire was “much better” than before treatment.²⁷

Enhanced Mood and Sense of Well-Being

Understanding the benefits of TRT on mental health includes evaluating the role of TRT replacement therapy on patient mood before and after testosterone therapy. The T-Trials found that testosterone therapy is associated with small increases to mood in patients with low testosterone.²⁸ In combination with the other effects of testosterone replacement therapy, even small improvements to mood can yield large benefits to other facets of a patient’s whole health and sense of well-being.

TRT: Questions and Answers

How Much Does TRT Cost?

Testosterone replacement therapy cost ranges anywhere from $20-$1500 per month, depending on the program selection. Immortal Male offers a comprehensive TRT therapy treatment package for $199 a month.

Many programs only offer a hormone replacement therapy testosterone prescription, but the cost of TRT should reflect equal and appropriate benefits for the patient. Testosterone replacement treatment is a long-term treatment for many individuals, so it is important that patients choose treatment programs that will continue to support whole health and well-being in the months following the initial treatment dose. The benefits of TRT are best felt in patients who select a program that feels safe and comfortable for their individual needs.

How Long Do You Need to Take TRT to See Results?

One of the benefits of TRT is that results will be seen within a short period of time. It takes about 6 months of regular TRT injections to see the maximum advantages of taking testosterone.²⁹ The benefits of testosterone therapy will be seen prior to the 6-month marker, but they will not have yet peaked.

Continuing TRT treatment beyond the 6-month mark will ensure that patients continue to see TRT benefits. Patients who decide to discontinue testosterone therapy generally see the return of hypogonadism symptoms. TRT exists to treat the symptoms of hypogonadism, it does not change the amount of testosterone produced by the body.

Is TRT Good for Mental Health?

Testosterone replacement therapy can help improve mental health in patients who have poor mental health as a result of hypogonadism. Testosterone therapy is not likely to improve mental health in patients who have diagnosed mental health conditions that are unrelated to hypogonadism. Read on to learn more about the mental benefits of TRT.

Does TRT Improve Anxiety?

Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with reduction of the symptoms of depression in hypogonadal men. There is less support for improvement to the symptoms of anxiety, although a case study of a man who had undiagnosed hypogonadism found that testosterone supplements benefits included improved anxiety symptoms. ³⁰

Does TRT Help With Depression?

Depressive symptoms are linked to hypogonadism. There is evidence that TRT treatment can help to alleviate the symptoms of depression in men who are experiencing depression as a result of hypogonadism.³¹ Moreover, a thorough meta-analysis of the effects of testosterone replacement on major depressive disorder found that there was a significant positive effect of TRT in patients diagnosed with both major depressive disorder and hypogonadism.³²

In other words, testosterone replacement therapy is likely to be an effective choice for hypogonadal patients who are hoping to resolve depressive symptoms.

Is it Safe to Just Stop TRT?

Patients can choose to stop taking testosterone replacement therapy at any time. It is important to recognize that TRT treatment does not change the amount of testosterone produced by the body.

Patients who decide to discontinue testosterone replacement therapy will not continue to see the benefits of TRT.

Get Help with Testosterone Replacement Therapy at Immortal Male

Immortal Male provides hypogonadal men with a testosterone replacement therapy program that is affordable and patient-centric. The Immortal Male TRT therapy program focuses on the safety of testosterone replacement therapy and on maximizing the benefits of TRT injections. The testosterone replacement therapy cost with Immortal Male starts with a $99 one-time charge for an At-Home Hormone Test. This test reviews hormone levels in the body, including total testosterone, estradiol, and prostate-specific antigen.

The At-Home Hormone Test will be used in combination with a review of patient symptoms to determine if the patient is a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. The More Life Membership offered by Immortal Male is $199 per month. The membership includes a bioidentical testosterone prescription and additional medications as determined to be necessary by a licensed Immortal Male physician. Patients that start today can expect to see the benefits of TRT on the mind and body within the next 6 months!

Resources