By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: October 23, 2025 Categories: Testosterone
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Various medications are available to help men increase their testosterone levels.
Some boost the production of natural testosterone while others involve administering synthetic testosterone. They aim to bring testosterone levels within the normal range to help low T men manage unwanted symptoms.
Some people also opt for natural options like testosterone supplements or boosters but many of these lack scientific backing.
Keep reading the article to learn what medications men can take to increase testosterone.
Drugs and medications to increase testosterone
There are various kinds of testosterone medications available on the market. Your doctor will prescribe you the right drug after identifying the cause of your low levels.
Testosterone drugs offer multiple benefits. Some of these may include:
- Restored libido or sex drive
- Improved mood
- Improved erectile dysfunction and sexual function
- Improved bone density
- Reduced fatigue and more energy
- Increased muscle mass and stamina
- Improved bone health and bone density
Here are the commonly used medications to boost sex hormone testosterone.
Bio-identical hormones and testosterone replacement therapy
Bio-identical hormones are duplicated or synthetic forms of natural human hormones. They are provided to help men and women restore their testosterone or estrogen levels.
Their prescriptions can either be pre-made (by the manufacturing company) or custom-made (by a pharmacist), and they are used in androgen replacement therapy or testosterone replacement therapy.
They come in different routes of delivery and doses. Your doctor will choose the dose that best suits your condition. He may also change the dose from time to time according to how your body responds to the treatment.
Medication to increase testosterone can be divided into the following categories based on their route of delivery.
Testosterone injections
This form of exogenous testosterone is injected directly into the muscles, from where it slowly gets absorbed into the blood.
Testosterone gels
It’s a topical form of testosterone that’s applied directly to the skin, from where it gets absorbed into the blood.
Testosterone creams
It’s another form of topical testosterone. It works like testosterone gel.
Oral testosterone
These are testosterone-like hormones taken in pill form to replace testosterone. Kyzatrex and Andriol are popular testosterone pills used by hypogonadal men.
Testosterone pellets
These are small rice-sized pellets containing crystalized testosterone. Pellets are inserted under the skin from where testosterone is gradually dissolved and released in the blood.
Testosterone patches
These are small, thin adhesive patches that are applied to the skin once daily. They provide a controlled dose of testosterone over 24 hours.
The following table highlight different types of TRT:
| Form of medication | Medication | More info |
| Injectable testosterone | Sustanon®(Aspen)
| Contains testosterone propionate 30 mg, testosterone phenylpropionate 60 mg, and testosterone isocaproate 60 mg |
| Nebido®(Bayer) | Contains testosterone undecanoate 250 mg/mL in a 4ml amp | |
| Testosterone Enantate (Non-proprietary) | Contains testosterone enantate 250 mg/mL | |
| Virormone®(Nordic) | Contains estosterone propionate 50 mg/mL, 2-mL amp Short Acting Testosterone ester | |
| Topical testosterone | TESTIM®(Ferring) gel | Testosterone 50 mg/5 g tube |
| TESTOGEL®(Besin) gel | Testosterone 50 mg/5 g sachet | |
| TOSTRAN®(ProStrakan) gel | Testosterone 2% | |
| Lipoderm based Testosterone creams | Generally applied to the scrotum | |
| Oral androgen | Tablet/capsule | Reduces SHGB protein |
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG)
HCG is used for delayed puberty, infertility or low sperm count due to testosterone deficiency. It is also used to supplement testosterone replacement therapy as TRT can further decrease natural testosterone production and lead to male fertility issues.
HCG mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) and signals testes to increase natural testosterone and sperm production.
Aromatase inhibitors
Some men develop testosterone deficiency due to high estrogen or high aromatase activity.
Aromatase inhibitors block the aromatase enzyme whose role is to convert testosterone into estrogen. By lowering estrogen levels, these drugs help balance testosterone estrogen levels.
In addition to providing benefits, these medications also have some potential side effects due to which they are not suitable for all, especially for individuals with an increased risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, elevated red blood cells, blood clot and cardiovascular disease.
How to increase testosterone without medication?
Some people prefer natural options over medicinal ones to restore normal testosterone level. These methods are not guaranteed to produce results but they may be effective for some individuals. Some of these are:
Get plenty of sleep
During sleep, your body recharges and heals different organs and tissues. That is why when you do not get enough sleep, your hormonal balance gets disturbed. Studies also show that adult men experience low testosterone when they do not get proper sleep at night.
Maintain bodyweight
Overweight people tend to have low testosterone levels. Research also suggests that young overweight males have around 50% low testosterone levels than normal-weight males of the same age.
So, losing weight and maintaining it within the healthy range may help you restore normal levels of testosterone.
Improve your diet
Eat balanced meals consisting of healthy fats, proteins, carbs, essential minerals and vitamins. Incorporate foods that may help boost testosterone to your healthy diet. Some popular examples include eggs, fatty fish and leafy greens.
Relieve stress
Prolonged stress increases cortisol hormone levels. When cortisol level rises, testosterone naturally declines. That is why you should try your best to stay out of stressful conditions and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Get physically active
Getting more physically active is one of the most effective ways of increasing testosterone levels naturally. You should make regular exercise a part of your lifestyle. Resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is very beneficial in supporting testosterone production.
Avoid alcohol abuse
There are many adverse effects of alcohol abuse, and one of them is the reduction in testosterone production. When you drink alcohol frequently, it starts interfering with your body hormones, including testosterone, and causes hormonal imbalance.
Dietary supplements to increase testosterone
Natural testosterone boosting supplements and herbs, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), D-aspartic acid, vitamin D and ashwagandha may also be used to increase testosterone.
However, their effectiveness is not scientifically proven and more research needs to be done on them to fully comprehend their effects.
What can cause low testosterone in men?
Testosterone levels decline in men as they age. They are the highest when men are in their late teens and then start declining as they hit 30.
Testes produce testosterone in response to LH synthesised by the pituitary hormone.
Sometimes, testes fail to produce sufficient testosterone, which is categorised as hypogonadism. It can happen during any phase of life and can be divided into three types.
Primary hypogonadism
It occurs when your gonads do not produce sufficient testosterone even after receiving brain signals. As a result, the serum testosterone level gets low, but levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) stay high. Its origin can be acquired or congenital.
Examples of possible inherited causes are chromosomal abnormalities, nutation in FSH/LH receptor gene, and Klinefelter syndrome.
Examples of the possible acquired conditions that contribute to primary hypogonadism are chemotherapy, injury to testes, and testicular torsion.
Secondary hypogonadism
Secondary hypogonadism occurs due to damage to brain part (mainly pituitary gland and hypothalamus) that sends signals to testes to produce testosterone. In this condition, serum FSH and LH levels are also low, like testosterone. It can also be congenital or acquired.
A few examples of inherited causes are Kallmann syndrome, pituitary disorder, and genetic abnormalities.
A few examples of acquired causes are trauma, sleep deprivation, and pituitary tumour.
Mixed hypogonadism
As the name suggests, it is a mixture of both the above-mentioned types of hypogonadism, meaning it happens when there is a defect in testes as well as pituitary.
It occurs only due to acquired reasons. The person suffering from this issue has a decreased testosterone level and variable levels of LH and FSH.
A few examples of mixed primary and secondary hypogonadism are cancer, cirrhosis, obesity, and hemochromatosis.
Screening for hypogonadism
The serum total testosterone level test is performed in the morning to measure the total amount of total testosterone, protein-bound testosterone and free testosterone.
Blood testosterone levels lower than 300 ng/dL (10.4 nmol/L) indicate hypogonadism. A second assay is performed to confirm the condition.
Once hypogonadism is confirmed, LH blood test and other tests may also be performed to determine whether it is primary or secondary hypogonadism.
How does a doctor determine testosterone medication dose?
Your doctor will determine the testosterone dose based on how low your testosterone levels are. When your low testosterone treatment TRT starts, it is important to have follow-up sessions to monitor the effect of the dose and its side effects.
Your doctor may adjust your testosterone dose depending on your body’s response to testosterone therapy. They will try to keep it to the minimum that’s required to get desired results.
Can you order testosterone online?
Yes, you can order testosterone online as there are various registered pharmacies you can search online. However, note that testosterone is a prescription-only medicine and you need a valid prescription to buy it online.
Many licensed online testosterone providers also provide online consultation with a registered healthcare provider.
Avoid unregulated websites as they may sell unsafe products.
FAQs about testosterone medicines
Where does testosterone come from for injections?
Injectable testosterone is synthesized in the laboratory. It is made chemically identical to the testosterone naturally produced by the body.
Which testosterone is the best?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as the right testosterone depends on your individual health needs, lifestyle and similar factors.
Testosterone injections and topical options are generally popular for their reliability and ease of use. Talk to your doctor to determine which option is the right choice for you.
Does testosterone expire?
Yes, like any other medication, testosterone also expires. Its expiry date is written on the packaging. Make sure you check it before administering testosterone.
Where to buy testosterone medication?
You can purchase testosterone from a registered healthcare provider or pharmacy with a valid prescription.
Summary
Testosterone medications have unique effects and come in different forms. Your doctor will prescribe you a medication based on your low testosterone cause. They may use a single or a combination of different medications to improve your symptoms of low testosterone and achieve desired health goals.
Testosterone medications are available in oral, injectable, and topical forms. Each form has its own health benefits and side effect. Discuss your options with a healthcare provider to determine which is the best choice for you.
References
Morgado, A., Tsampoukas, G., Sokolakis, I., Schoentgen, N., Urkmez, A. and Sarikaya, S., 2024. Do “testosterone boosters” really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review. International Journal of Impotence Research, 36(4), pp.348-364.
Chu, K.Y., Achua, J.K. and Ramasamy, R., 2023. Strategies to increase testosterone in men seeking fertility. Urology Research and Practice, 49(1), p.2.
Al-Zoubi, R.M., Yassin, A.A., Alwani, M., Al-Qudimat, A., Aboumarzouk, O.M., Zarour, A. and Al Ansari, A., 2021. A systematic review on the latest developments in testosterone therapy: Innovations, advances, and paradigm shifts. Arab journal of urology, 19(3), pp.370-375.
Evidence Based Research
This article has been researched and written based on scientific evidence and fact sheets that have then been crossed checked by our team of doctors and subject matter experts.
References, sources and studies used alongside our own in-house research have been cited below, most of which contain external clickable links to reviewed scientific paper that contain date stamped evidence.
Our team of healthcare experts and GMC registered doctors are licensed to UK GMC standards. We strive to provide you with the latest evidence based, researched articles that are unbiased, honest and provide you with accurate insights, statistics and helpful information on the discussed topic to ensure you gain a better understanding of the subject. You can read more about our Editorial Process by clicking here.
We value your feedback on our articles, if you have a well-researched paper you would like to share with us please contact us.
Quick Low Testosterone Test
If you know your total testosterone reading from a previous blood test input the results to the left above to see if your testosterone levels are normal.
Low Testosterone Levels
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
Please Retry
The Total Testosterone Level You Entered Is Incorrect. Figure Must be in nmol/L you can use our converter here.
Normal Testosterone Levels
Your testosterone levels appear to be in the normal range.
LOOKING GOOD!
You must be over 38, have had your ovaries removed or have suffered with premature menopause to warrant further hormone tests.
Further investigation needed
Please contact us to discuss your hormones, we need your total testosterone levels to validate your hormone deficiency. You can order a blood test here.
Low Testosterone Levels
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
High Testosterone Levels
You appear to have higher than normal testosterone levels, please contact us for further investigation.
Normal Testosterone Levels
You appear to have normal testosterone levels. Contact us if you have any concerns.
About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: October 23rd, 2025
