How Long
Does TRT Last?

How Long Is the TRT Process?

Are you wondering how long TRT lasts? Use this guide to find out what the timeline for TRT is, along with potential side effects.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Do you find yourself asking, “how long does TRT last?” Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a treatment option for the symptoms of hypogonadism, or low testosterone, in males. TRT supplies the body with an external source of testosterone so that hypogonadal symptoms are reduced. An estimated 4 to 5 million men are affected by hypogonadism in the United States alone, which indicates that TRT therapy is an important and widely needed treatment.¹

If you or a loved one are looking into this treatment but find yourselves asking, “how long does TRT last?” then read on in this article.

What to Expect With Testosterone Replacement Therapy

So, how long does TRT last? The main goals of TRT are to help patients find relief from the symptoms of low testosterone while also restoring a patient’s testosterone levels to normal.²

Testosterone replacement therapy should be a safe and comfortable process for every patient. The TRT treatment process involves controlled delivery of testosterone to the body as directed by a physician. However, TRT first has to begin with a professional diagnosis of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is diagnosed in men who have a serum testosterone concentration of less than 300 ng/dL in combination with the symptoms of low testosterone.³

What Are the Symptoms of Low Testosterone?

Symptoms of low testosterone experienced by each patient may vary, but common symptoms include:⁴

Low libido
Poorer quality of erection or inability to maintain an erection
Disturbed sleep
Irritability
Feeling sluggish and tired
Low or depressed mood
Muscle tone and not getting the same results in the gym
Anxiety
Changes to skin and hair

overview of low t

Types of Testosterone

One of the advantages of testosterone replacement therapy is that there are several testosterone delivery methods available to patients, including oral pills, skin gels, implants, and intramuscular injections.⁵ It is important for patients to carefully consider which testosterone type will work best with their lifestyle.

Each method differs in ease of use, success of testosterone delivery, and frequency of administration. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves using the topical gel, a transdermal patch, the buccal system, and administering testosterone by injection.⁶

Additionally, one of the benefits of TRT muscular injections is that they provide the body with a high concentration of testosterone over an extended slow-release period. Testosterone delivered through injection is prepared with an ester group; it is the addition of the ester that enables slow release of testosterone after injection into the muscle.⁷
With intramuscular injections, testosterone’s effect on the body is felt for a longer amount of time before re-administration of testosterone is required.

Read on if you are looking to answer the question, “how long does TRT last?”

Injectable Testosterone Cypionate

Testosterone cypionate is an intramuscular injectable preparation of bioidentical testosterone that is long-acting in the body. Testosterone cypionate has a slower release and longer half-life than other injectable testosterone esters, meaning that post-injection testosterone concentrations will remain in the desirable treatment range for an extended period of time.⁸ For treatment of hypogonadism, testosterone cypionate injections need to be administered every two to four weeks.⁸

Injectable Testosterone Enanthate

Testosterone enanthate is a long-acting preparation of bioidentical testosterone for use in intramuscular testosterone delivery. Testosterone enanthate has a long half-life of seven to nine days, which helps with maintaining testosterone concentrations within the desirable range for treatment of hypogonadism.⁹ Testosterone enanthate injections need to be re-administered every few weeks.

Injectable Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone propionate is a short-acting testosterone ester preparation that requires re-injection at three day intervals to maintain testosterone concentrations in the desired range. In the United States, testosterone propionate is not approved for treatment of hypogonadism given that the short bursts of testosterone delivery are not effective in reducing low testosterone symptoms in the long-term.¹⁰

Do I Need Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Before answering the question, “how long does TRT last?” it is important to know who is best suited for TRT. Testosterone replacement therapy is recommended for clinically diagnosed hypogonadal men to restore and maintain secondary sex characteristics and to resolve the symptoms of hypogonadism.¹¹

It is important to discuss TRT with a medical provider prior to initiating treatment to determine if TRT is a good solution for currently held health concerns and to determine if the testosterone replacement therapy cost is appropriate for the desired TRT treatment results. Additionally, discussing the treatment option with a provider ensures that health history can be properly evaluated for a safe and comfortable TRT experience.

How Long Do I Need to Be on TRT?

A common question is “how long does TRT last?” The length of the TRT process is different for each patient. Testosterone levels in men drop about 2% each year after the age of 40.¹²

Endogenous, or naturally produced, testosterone levels will continue to decline with or without testosterone replacement therapy. Patients who wish to reduce the symptoms caused by low testosterone will need to continuously provide the body with an external source of testosterone.

What Happens When I Stop TRT?

TRT treats the symptoms of hypogonadism, a condition in which the body is producing testosterone less efficiently. Therefore, when external testosterone is no longer delivered to the body, the symptoms of hypogonadism will eventually return.

How Long is the TRT Process?

So, how long does TRT last? It generally takes anywhere from three to six months of treatment to feel the full benefits of testosterone replacement therapy.¹³

Throughout the TRT duration, symptoms of hypogonadism should become less prevalent. Patients will instead begin to notice significant differences in their life before and after TRT, including improving symptoms of erectile dysfunction, low libido, and fatigue.

TRT Timeline

How Much Time Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy Take to Start Working?

Testosterone replacement therapy starts working immediately, but it will take several weeks to a few months for the first effects to be felt. The TRT timeline covers the effects of testosterone treatment that are felt both in the short-term and long-term.

Short-Term Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Some TRT results will be felt within the first few months of testosterone replacement treatment, including:

Improved Mental Health

Low testosterone is associated with depression and cognitive impairment, which can also negatively impact an individual’s overall sense of well-being. Testosterone replacement therapy is effective at reducing depressive symptoms and improving cognitive function when these issues occur as a result of low testosterone.¹⁴

Improved Control of Type 2 Diabetes

Hypogonadism is frequently diagnosed in men who also have been diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes. Current studies support that testosterone therapy improves glycemic control in Type-2 diabetic men with hypogonadism. TRT treatment taken in combination with a patient’s current diabetes control measures will both reduce the symptoms of hypogonadism and improve patient control of Type-2 diabetes.¹⁵

Long-Term Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

These TRT results are generally felt after several months of testosterone replacement treatment:

Improved Libido and Erectile Function

TErectile dysfunction and reduced libido are common symptoms of hypogonadal men. Restored libido and improved erectile function are well-documented benefits of testosterone replacement therapy.¹⁶

Improved Body Composition

Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with positive body composition changes in patients, whether the patient’s goal is to either lose weight or to increase muscle mass. Obesity is a contributing factor for the development of hypogonadism. In a population of obese men, more than 70% will have low testosterone. For men that are obese and who are hoping TRT will help them lose weight, evidence supports significant weight loss in patients who have undergone long-term TRT therapy.¹⁷

Loss of fat mass will also be experienced by non-obese men, but the change will be smaller. For all men undergoing TRT, significant improvements to skeletal muscle strength and lean muscle mass can be expected after several months of TRT treatment.¹⁸ Overall, body composition after TRT will be significantly improved.

Improved Bone Density

Testosterone is important for the growth and maintenance of bones. Bone density naturally declines with age and may be further impacted by low testosterone levels.¹⁹ For hypogonadal men, TRT has proven to be an effective way to increase bone density.²⁰ Improvements to bone density can be expected after several months of TRT treatment and will continue to positively impact the patient as they continue to age.

Month-by-Month Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Wondering how long does TRT last? TRT can last for a number of months and provide a variety of benefits. Achieving the maximum benefits from testosterone therapy requires commitment to the treatment process, but most patients begin to feel some benefits before several months. Here are the month-by-month benefits of TRT and what you can expect to feel as you start treatment.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Months One and Two

Patients who adhere to a provider recommended TRT injection schedule can expect to see the following effects of testosterone injections within the first and second months of treatment:

Reduced anxiety, aggression, and improved sociability
Reduced systemic inflammation
Reduced insulin resistance and some weight loss
Improved lipid profile – decrease in triglycerides, increased “good” cholesterol and decreased “bad” cholesterol
Improved mood
Decreased depression symptoms
An overall feeling of “improved health and wellness”

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Month Three

Month three of the TRT timeline yields important health benefits for patients with Type-2 diabetes or who have problems with blood pressure control. Additional effects of testosterone injections at the three-month mark include:

Better glycemic control
Improved erythropoiesis – production of red blood cells
Better blood pressure control
More lean muscle and increased strength and stamina
Increased exercise capacity

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Months Four and Five

After four to five months of TRT, men can expect that:

Muscles and bones will be stronger
Body fat will be considerably reduced

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Month Six

The maximum benefits of testosterone therapy will be experienced around month six. These positive side effects include:

Increased libido
Increased lean muscle mass
Significant weight loss
Better recovery time and improved immune function
More energy
More self-confidence
Improved cognition
Increased focus and alertness
Better sleep

Continued TRT therapy will ensure that patients continue to feel the testosterone replacement therapy results experienced during the first six months of the TRT timeline.

Read on to further answer “how long does TRT last?”

Can You Feel TRT Immediately?

How long does TRT last and how quickly do you feel the effects? It takes time to feel the effects of testosterone treatment. Patients can expect to wait between three to four weeks to begin noticing any positive changes as a result of TRT.²¹

This does mean that TRT is not working in the period between the start of injections and the onset of benefits, but that it needs time for the body to respond to a new source of testosterone.

What Happens After the First TRT Injection?

Testosterone injections begin to be used by the body within minutes to hours after injection. Several days after the testosterone injection is administered, serum testosterone levels will reach a maximum concentration in the body.

In the days that follow, testosterone levels will slowly decline into the target range for testosterone. Further decline will be seen in patients who do not follow a TRT injection schedule. Testosterone injections are scheduled so that serum testosterone concentrations remain in the therapeutic range through the duration of the treatment process.²²

How Long Do the Effects of Testosterone Injections Last?

So, how long does TRT last? Testosterone injections need to be administered every few weeks, but the exact time frame depends upon several factors. In a well-monitored and patient-centric TRT treatment program, the injections will be administered at a dose and interval in which the patient does not feel the declining testosterone levels from the previous injection.

Typically, the TRT cycle length for administration of testosterone injections is one to two weeks.

Weeks and Months

Extended testosterone treatment in hypogonadal men is likely to lead to favorable changes in overall lifestyle. With the improvements to mental health, sexual function, and body composition as a result of TRT, patients are enabled to live a more fulfilling and healthier lifestyle. Patients who have continued testosterone treatment over the course of 11 years have continued to show improvements in their health and well-being.

Specific improvements included weight loss, reduced fasting glucose, decreased LDL cholesterol (commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol), and increased HDL cholesterol (commonly referred to as “good” cholesterol).²³ Testosterone’s effect on the body will persist for years in patients who continue TRT after reaching maximum effects during the initial treatment stage.

Start Reaping the Rewards of TRT Now with Help from Immortal Male

Looking for more information to answer the question, “how long does TRT last?” Immortal Male offers a comprehensive testosterone replacement therapy treatment program intended to support patient health and well-being. The Immortal Male TRT program starts by connecting interested individuals with an educated and friendly concierge team.

After discussing symptoms, treatment goals, and questions, individuals are invited to order an At-Home Hormone Test Kit. This kit is simple to use and will provide the Immortal Male medical team with valuable information about each patient’s hormone levels prior to the start of treatment.

Immortal Male More Life Membership

Following a clinical diagnosis of hypogonadism, patients will be able to access the Immortal Male More Life Membership. This membership goes beyond simply providing bioidentical testosterone. The membership features a comprehensive treatment plan that targets multiple aspects of aging in men, including medication for hair loss and medication to help lower cholesterol.

Immortal Male takes a patient-centric approach towards testosterone replacement therapy. TRT is a process that has already helped thousands of men, and you could be the next to reap the rewards of TRT. Contact us to learn more about how long TRT last and what you can do to start treatment.

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