TRT in the UK and EU | Contact: +44 (0) 203 9003 209 | Login
TRT in the UK and EU | Contact: +44 (0) 203 9003 209 | Login
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Around the world, there are millions of men currently taking part in testosterone replacement therapy, one of the most common treatments for men that are experiencing low testosterone levels. When men go through testosterone replacement therapy, naturally dozens of questions arise. It’s a great idea to ask any questions that you have about testosterone replacement therapy because it’s good to know everything possible about the treatments that you are on. With this knowledge in hand, you can ensure you are receiving effective treatment throughout your TRT journey. In addition, you can be more knowledgeable on how to administer the treatment and what steps you should take when going through the various stages of the treatment.
With this guide centered around everything you need to know about stopping testosterone replacement therapy, you’ll have all the information that you need to make an informed decision on whether you should stop testosterone treatments at any time, once you have started them.
To fully understand testosterone therapy and whether you should stop testosterone replacement therapy, you will first need to understand the underlying causes of testosterone replacement therapy. Knowing the science behind testosterone replacement therapy will give you a deeper understanding of why testosterone replacement therapy is important and how exactly it helps to raise the amount of testosterone in your body.
The main reason that testosterone replacement therapy is necessary is when the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone on its own. This is a very common condition among men and it’s something that is often the reason for using testosterone replacement therapy in the first place. When the body cannot produce enough testosterone on its own for a biological reason, then testosterone replacement therapy can step in and replace the testosterone that is supposed to be produced by the testes. This can be caused for a variety of reasons, but the underlying cause behind this is mostly hypogonadism, which is the scientific term for the testes not being able to produce enough testosterone, As a result, the body has lower testosterone than it should for critical functions and general health.
Even though many men suffer from low testosterone as the result of hypogonadism or other conditions, there are many other potential reasons for low testosterone. It is important to know these factors, because they may play a large part in whether it is advisable to stop testosterone replacement therapy or start it in the first place. These factors are external and not biological, meaning there is nothing actually wrong with the function of the body and capability to produce testosterone, but rather it is being hindered by external factors. These can include stress, low sleep, increased fatigue due to physical labor, mental illness, which all pay a role in your natural testosterone levels.
These external factors are difficult to deal with and not all of them can always be resolved. Many men that are dealing with these factors choose to start testosterone replacement therapy because it is easier and more convenient than trying to solve the external factor that could be affecting them. However, this does mean that it would stand to reason that if you can address the external factors affecting your testosterone levels naturally, then you should be able to come off testosterone replacement therapy.
Before starting testosterone replacement therapy, or considering stopping it, you should know about the potential side effects of testosterone replacement therapy. Being familiar with the effects that a treatment can have on your body is crucially important for your health and in your decision making process.
Testosterone replacement therapy can have a heavy impact on the condition of your skin. Many men that are using testosterone replacement therapy do see an increase in the acne and oily skin that they have. Generally, this can be addressed by using over-the-counter products to help improve the condition of your skin.
One common side effect that often comes along with testosterone replacement therapy is fluid retention. This affects your weight and appearance by increasing the amount of fluid that your body will hold and making you feel more bloated. This isn’t generally considered to be a long-term effect and when it does occur, it is usually pretty mild and manageable.
Using testosterone replacement therapy can have several effects on the prostate. The first is that it can stimulate the prostate tissue, which leads to things like increased urination or strange patterns in the flow of your urination. Most of the time, testosterone replacement therapy decreases the flow and intensity of the stream. This is considered a minor side effect and one that shouldn’t interrupt your day-to-day productivity or comfort.
In addition to the risk of disturbing urination with the prostate, there is also an increased risk in developing abnormalities related to the prostate when using testosterone replacement therapy. This is a situation that you should monitor closely in cooperation with your medical professional to ensure that no abnormalities are occurring.
Though it is very uncommon, it is possible to experience breast enlargement during testosterone replacement therapy. There are medications to prevent this and reverse it once it has begun, so you should discuss with your doctor the best way to address this potential side effect.
If you already struggle from sleep apnea, then you should be aware that testosterone replacement therapy could contribute to the worsening of sleep apnea. Again, this is considered minor and can be addressed with other medication or treatment methods. All the same, you should be aware of this potential side effect from testosterone replacement therapy.
Just as there are potential side effects of testosterone replacement therapy, there are also many benefits that you can enjoy as a result of testosterone replacement therapy. Here are some of the benefits that you can enjoy when using testosterone replacement therapy and the reasons that many men choose not to stop testosterone replacement therapy and instead continue to use it.
Having the right balance of hormones in your body is greatly beneficial when it comes to your energy and willingness to be active. With testosterone replacement therapy, one of the most common benefits is increased energy and a decreased feeling of fatigue, which is something that many men experience when they have low testosterone levels.
One of the most commonly reported positive effects that come out of using testosterone replacement therapy is increased confidence. Increased confidence can occur for a number of reasons, but often it is because men will get their sexual performance, muscle mass, hair growth, and other physical benefits from using testosterone replacement therapy. This boosts their confidence and makes it much easier to have a positive outlook on their self-image.
Many men use testosterone replacement therapy almost exclusively for this purpose. When your body has a lowered testosterone level, it is almost definitely going to impact your sexual performance. For many men, this is a non-negotiable side effect of low testosterone and it drives them to use testosterone replacement therapy. When you have the proper amount of testosterone in your body, it can greatly improve your sexual performance, endurance, and drive.
When your body has the correct level of hormones that it needs to function on a day to day basis, then it is bound to improve your mood. Improved mood is one of the most common positive impacts that testosterone replacement therapy has. Improved mood is often the result of having the proper chemical balance in your body as well as the other positive effects that TRT has on the body that makes men happier with their appearance and body functions.
One benefit that almost every man enjoys when using testosterone replacement therapy is improved strength. Testosterone is one of the primary factors in charge of maintaining healthy muscle mass, and when your body has enough testosterone to produce muscle mass, you are naturally going to experience increased strength.
Though it’s often not the primary reason for a man to choose to use testosterone replacement therapy, many men that do use testosterone replacement therapy are experiencing bald or thinning hair as a result of their low testosterone. When you choose to use testosterone replacement therapy, you will be increasing your chances for having a full head of healthy hair due to the increase in testosterone, which is a very important hormone in your body.
Even with all of the benefits that come from testosterone replacement therapy, there are a number of reasons that you might want to stop testosterone replacement therapy. Here are some of the most common reasons for men wanting to stop using testosterone replacement therapy.
When men experience success with testosterone therapy, they might think that they can stop right away and still enjoy the same benefits. Sadly, this isn’t true. For testosterone therapy to continue working, you will need to continue using it. If you are having success with testosterone replacement therapy, then it is generally recommended by medical professionals that you stay the course.
Another common reason why men express the desire to stop using testosterone replacement therapy is that they are experiencing the side effects that can often come along with the treatment. If you are experiencing side effects, you should meet with your doctor to discuss how you can mitigate the effects of those side effects and ensure they don’t disrupt your life as much. Oftentimes, there are several ways that you can combat the effects.
For men that are not having success with their testosterone replacement therapy treatment, it is easy to become dismayed and discouraged with the treatment. However, initial failure is not uncommon. Many men require adjustments to their testosterone replacement therapy treatments before they actually experience success in their treatment. If you are experiencing failure and thinking of giving up, you should meet with your doctor to discuss what the options are for making an adjustment to your treatment plan to make it more effective.
One of the most common concerns that men have when evaluating their participation in testosterone replacement therapy is whether it is safe to use for prolonged periods of time. This is a great question, because it means you care about your personal health and are thinking of the long-term effects. The good news is that when used correctly, testosterone replacement therapy has proven to be a very safe and effective treatment.
If you are going to invest in testosterone replacement therapy, then you naturally want to know how long testosterone replacement therapy lasts and whether it will continue to work if you decide you want to come off TRT. Testosterone replacement therapy lasts up to a few weeks after your treatment. If you want the effects of testosterone replacement therapy to continue, then you will need to continue taking it.
The question of whether you should stop testosterone replacement therapy is completely up to you! This decision comes down to personal preference and health and should be made with the consultation of a medical professional when all medical matters are taken into consideration. You should weigh the benefits with any potential side effects and decide whether the benefits that you enjoy are worth the possible downfalls that you experience, as well. With the information laid out in this guide, you should be able to have an idea of whether it is the right decision to stop testosterone replacement therapy. For the most part, when TRT is administered correctly using modern dosages the benefits far outway any minor side effects you may have and this is why millions of men remain on TRT. However, as always, you should make this decision with a medical professional by your side at all times to provide you with the best possible consultation.
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.
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.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
The Total Testosterone Level You Entered Is Incorrect. Figure Must be in nmol/L you can use our converter here.
Your testosterone levels appear to be in the normal range.
You must be over 38, have had your ovaries removed or have suffered with premature menopause to warrant further hormone tests.
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.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
You appear to have higher than normal testosterone levels, please contact us for further investigation.
You appear to have normal testosterone levels. Contact us if you have any concerns.
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones Ltd 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 (TRT) 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.
Male sexual problems (also called sexual dysfunction) prevent a man or his partner from enjoying sexual activity. They affect around 31% of men and can happen any time in their lives. But the good thing is most of them are treatable. Advanced technologies and methods have now made it easier for doctors to understand these issues, […]
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has long been associated with men trying to restore hormonal balance and combat the effects of ageing. However, the use of TRT is not limited to men alone. More and more women are now turning to this therapy to treat different medical conditions and improve their quality of life. Despite the […]
Testosterone is important for the normal functioning of various organs, such as muscles, bones, and sex organs. However, its levels do not stay the same throughout a man’s life for various reasons. Some men become testosterone deficient if they have serious underlying health issues such as tumours while others may develop testosterone deficiency as they […]
Balance My Hormones helps customers restore their hormones to optimal levels through bespoke TRT and HRT treatment plans. We use modern American treatment methods and have over 25 years of experience in hormonal health which is backed up by our very own GPhC pharmacy.
