By Mike Kocsis | 10 minutes read | Last updated: November 28, 2024
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
If you are experiencing low testosterone, then you have probably considered testosterone treatment. The decision to use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is not always an easy one, but millions of men have used it to recover from low testosterone.
If you are considering using testosterone replacement therapy, then one of the most burning questions you probably have is ‘What is the success rate of testosterone therapy?’ and ‘Is it something you can depend upon to give you positive results’?
In this guide, we’ll explore key aspects of testosterone therapy, including factors that impact its success rates, along with the benefits and potential drawbacks of undergoing treatment. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of testosterone treatment to help you assess whether it could be a suitable option for addressing low testosterone levels.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer perspective on whether TRT might be the right choice for boosting testosterone and managing the symptoms associated with low levels.
What is Low Testosterone Deficiency?
Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) occurs when the body produces insufficient levels of testosterone, the hormone responsible for many key male characteristics and bodily functions. There is no universal ‘normal testosterone level’ as it varies by age but the hormone is essential for maintaining muscle, bone density, and libido across all ages.
Common signs and symptoms:
Fewer spontaneous erections/erectile dysfunction
Increased belly fat/weight gain
Decreased body hair
Fatigue/Lethargy
Brain fog
Decreased muscle mass
Blood tests that measure serum testosterone and bioavailable testosterone help determine if levels fall below the normal range. When symptoms persist, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended to restore testosterone levels and relieve the signs and symptoms associated with low testosterone.
Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
In order to completely understand what success means in testosterone therapy, we must first understand the benefits of TRT and what the outcome can be when the treatment is considered successful. These are the benefits that you can expect if your testosterone treatment has been deemed a success and your TRT treatment goes as planned:
Sexual Function & Desire
One of the main benefits of testosterone replacement therapy is an increase in sexual desire. Testosterone is the main hormone that is responsible for sex drive, so it would make sense that an increase in testosterone and a return to normal testosterone levels will lead to increased sexual desire, as well. Men who have low testosterone often experience a decrease in sexual desire, but a successful testosterone replacement therapy treatment can result in a vastly improved sex life.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Another positive side effect of testosterone replacement therapy is that it can help to lower the bad cholesterol in your body. Bad cholesterol is known to have many negative effects on the health of individuals with bad cholesterol. Thus, a successful TRT treatment plan can help to improve your longevity and quality of life also.
Increased Muscle Mass
Testosterone plays a huge role in building and maintaining muscle. Without the right amount of testosterone in your body, you can easily see a decrease in muscle mass or an inability to maintain the muscle that you have built up. When you have low testosterone and go through testosterone treatment, you’ll gain muscle and also find it’s easier to keep the newly built muscle.
Decrease in Body Fat
Testosterone also ensures that you have the right amount of body fat. A decrease in body fat is typical of people who undergo successful TRT and you should expect that if you have excess body fat, it may be burned faster when you increase the amount of testosterone in your body.
Increased Confidence/Improved Mood
Testosterone is a very important chemical hormone in our body and it affects many areas of our life. One of the things that it affects that we might not always realize is our confidence and general outlook on life.
With a lowered testosterone level, these perceptions will be out of balance, which can cause a significant decrease in your quality of life and overall mood. If you want to increase your confidence and be in a better mood, one of the best ways to do so is with successful testosterone replacement therapy. TRT can help to balance the chemical hormones in your body and make sure that you can maintain a good mood and focus on what you are doing.
More Energy
When you have low on testosterone, you might find that your energy levels are drastically decreased and you are finding it harder and harder to get through the day. In this case, increasing the testosterone in your body could be the answer that you are looking for. An increase in testosterone can put your body back into balance and help you to have more energy throughout the day.
Improved Sleep
Men who are experiencing lowered testosterone levels frequently have a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep, let alone having quality sleep. When testosterone therapy is successful, it is possible that you can experience an increase in not only how long you sleep but an improvement in the quality of your sleep as well.
Handle Stress Better
When the hormones in your body are out of balance, it can affect your ability to handle stress. Without the right level of testosterone in your body, you can start to feel like you can’t handle the stress that is in your life and can become easily overwhelmed. After a comprehensive testosterone therapy treatment that is customized for you, you could very well experience an improvement in your ability to handle stress.
Book Free ConsultationRisks of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
While there is a lot to love about TRT and what it can do for your body, there are also some potential drawbacks. These symptoms typically appear if the treatment is unsuccessful, which occurs in a small percentage of cases.
Side Effects of TRT
There are some side effects that are associated with testosterone therapy, and not all of them are necessarily fun to deal with. The side effects of TRT include:
- Acne
- Oily Skin
- Lowered Sperm Count
- Blood Clots
- Testicle Shrinkage
- Breast Enlargement
- Heart Attack and Stroke Risk
Though a very high percentage of patients going through testosterone therapy experience positive results, you may experience negative side effects that make the experience less than pleasurable. This is rarely the experience that people have with TRT, but you should be aware that it is a possibility.
What is the Success Rate of Testosterone Therapy?
The success rate of TRT can provide insight into whether it’s a worthwhile investment of time, effort, and money. While it’s challenging to pinpoint an exact success rate due to individual differences and various external factors, most men prescribed TRT can expect a success rate of over 75%. For those who closely follow their doctor’s regimen and dosage instructions, the chances of positive results can be even higher. Though outcomes can vary, TRT is generally regarded as an effective treatment with a high likelihood of success, offering a favourable option for many individuals managing low testosterone.
What Affects the Success Rate?
If you are trying to evaluate the effectiveness and success rate of testosterone replacement therapy, then there are some factors that you should take into account when considering whether TRT is likely to work for you. Though none of these singularly decides whether you are a good candidate for TRT or not, they can help to paint a larger picture and give you an idea of whether you should be able to expect success when using TRT. Here are the factors that will influence the success rate in your TRT plan.
Age
Generally, TRT is made to help those who are younger overcome conditions that are making them produce less testosterone than what is usual. If you are older, then there is a chance that you are not as good of a candidate for TRT. Older men are more at risk for natural decline of testosterone, and that is not something that TRT is meant to treat. Testosterone therapy is meant to compensate for testosterone deficiency, but testosterone levels gradually decline as you age. Therefore, the success rate of TRT will be lesser in men who are older and have already started to experience a natural decline in testosterone.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Another factor that will influence the success rate of TRT is whether you have any pre-existing conditions. It will obviously depend on the condition that you are experiencing because testosterone therapy is designed to help overcome some conditions such as hypogonadism. However, if you have another health issue that is significantly impacting your ability to produce enough testosterone, that is much more difficult to overcome with TRT treatments. Depending on the condition that you have and how it is interfering with testosterone production, this could have a very serious impact on your success rate.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
TRT may exacerbate symptoms in those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that enlarges the prostate and may already contribute to discomfort or urinary issues. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential if you have BPH and are considering testosterone replacement.
Prostate Cancer Concerns
For individuals with a history of prostate cancer or an elevated risk, TRT may pose additional risks. Some studies suggest that testosterone therapy could potentially stimulate cancer growth in those with prostate-related concerns. Close monitoring and a thorough evaluation are crucial in these cases.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Testosterone therapy may worsen symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition marked by interrupted breathing during sleep. For those already experiencing sleep apnea, TRT could increase the frequency of interruptions and negatively affect sleep quality.
Worsening Sleep Apnea
Even individuals with mild sleep apnea should carefully assess the impact of TRT on their condition, as testosterone may lead to worsening symptoms. Working with a sleep specialist can help manage risks if you’re considering TRT with a sleep apnea diagnosis.
How To Get TRT
Getting Testosterone Replacement Therapy on the NHS in the UK often follows these steps:
1. Get a Blood Test:
Begin by testing your hormone levels and other relevant health markers through a blood test.
2. Consult with a Doctor:
Meet with your GP who will review your symptoms and blood test results to determine if you are eligible for TRT.
3. Arrange Treatment and Ongoing Support:
– If approved, you’ll work with your healthcare provider to organise your TRT regimen and establish ongoing support.
Since TRT is only available with a prescription, doctors will generally:
-Take a detailed medical history
– Conduct physical exams and laboratory tests
– Collect two blood samples before noon
– Potentially request imaging studies or additional tests if needed
TRT with Balance My Hormones
We provide specialised services for hormone balance. The process begins with an initial consultation with a medical professional experienced in hormone therapy.
If low testosterone is diagnosed, a personalised TRT plan is created to match your unique needs and preferences. Your doctor will regularly monitor your testosterone levels during treatment to maintain optimal effectiveness and safety.
Private clinics like Balance My Hormones also offer streamlined processes, shorter waiting times for appointments, and access to a broader range of treatment options.
Types of Testosterone Treatment
You’ll find that when you are starting the process of getting testosterone therapy to boost your testosterone levels, you have some options when it comes to the method with which you administer the treatment. There are injections, patches, pills, and other methods that you can use to administer TRT. The type of treatment that you choose is important because different people have success with different methods and some treatments are inherently more successful and effective than others. You should still try to find the right treatment for you, but keep in mind that the treatment method that you select could determine your success rate.
Doctor
A big part of the success or lack thereof hinges on the doctor that you decide to work with. TRT treatments are mostly the same from doctor to doctor, but each doctor generally has a timeline of when you should complete the treatments and how the treatments are administered. Working with the right doctor can have a heavy impact on your success rate when going through TRT. You must choose a doctor who has a reputation for success and that can care for you in the best way possible. Balance My Hormones only work with the very best TRT doctors, most of which are on treatment themselves and have many years of experience working with testosterone replacement therapy.
TRT Success Stories
There are countless TRT success stories online, we’ve even got a few of our 90 positive reviews outlined on our website testimonials section. Search for yourself online or view our reviews and testimonials to get a better understanding of how successful TRT can be and the hugely positive impact it can have on people’s lives. We’ve also got testosterone therapy before and after pictures section which will soon include video interviews from happy customers.
Conclusion
Overall, TRT is a highly successful treatment for those who meet the criteria to make them eligible and you should feel very confident in its success rate. If you are experiencing low testosterone and the symptoms that often come with it, then testosterone therapy might be a great choice for you. Balance My Hormones have helped thousands of men with TRT, if you feel you are suffering from low testosterone symptoms then contact us for a free consultation.
Evidence Based Research
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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.
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