By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: July 4, 2025 Categories: Hormone imbalance Menopause Testosterone
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment offered to balance the lack of a certain hormone required for optimal health.
Women typically go on HRT as they reach menopause because they are suffering a variety of symptoms related to low progesterone or low oestrogen.
Whereas men may try HRT when they feel the symptoms of low testosterone as testosterone, a male sex hormone, naturally decreases with age.
The whole purpose of HRT is to remove the symptoms of hormone imbalance in men and women while helping them improve their quality of life.
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for men?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), is commonly used to treat men with low testosterone levels.
One cause of low testosterone is male hypogonadism, a condition that prevents the body from producing adequate testosterone.
Testosterone levels also decline with age in men. However, HRT is typically effective for those with low testosterone due to external factors. Its suitability for age-related testosterone decline remains uncertain.
What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy for men?
Some men do not face any significant impact of low testosterone while others may experience its physical, mental and emotional symptoms that can impact their lives in different ways.
If testosterone deficiency is disturbing your life’s quality, you need to discuss your condition with your healthcare provider to find an effective solution like HRT.
Here are the top hypogonadism signs in men that may indicate you need male HRT:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low sperm count
- Low focus
- Breast enlargement
- More body fat
- Loss of body hair
- Decreased muscle mass
- Trouble sleeping
- Decreased libido
- Depression
What are the causes of hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism is a condition that affects your body’s ability to produce testosterone at a suitable level.
There are two types of hypogonadism: primary hypogonadism and secondary hypogonadism.
In primary hypogonadism, the testicles do not respond to brain signals that normally tell the testicles to produce testosterone.
This could be due to a testicular disorder or disease and may also be caused by chemotherapy, tumours, mumps, or injury to the testicles.
In secondary hypogonadism, the hypothalamus or pituitary gland fails to properly signal the testes to produce testosterone.
This can occur due to various factors, such as brain tumours, brain injury, or certain medical conditions affecting the brain’s ability to regulate hormone production.
Here are other common causes of low testosterone or hypogonadism:
- Poor diet
- Illness
- Stress
- Side effects of medication
- Liver condition
- Obesity
- Alcohol and drugs
What are the types of hormone replacement therapy for men?
HRT is divided into different types based on the way the hormone is administered. Here are the common types of male HRT or testosterone therapy for men:
Intramuscular testosterone injections
Injections are one of the most effective ways to increase testosterone and regulate the level of hormones in the body.
In this method, the doctor or your medical professional will inject testosterone directly into the muscles. This typically occurs on the buttocks and is done at a frequency of 2 to 3 weeks.
Testosterone patches
These are adhesive patches that are worn on the skin and deliver testosterone slowly over time.
Testosterone patches are applied on a daily basis to the back, arms, abdomen, or thighs.
When you use patches, it is recommended that you alternate the patch area for the best results. Patches are great because they can be stored under your clothes and are very easy to take with you while you are out of the house.
Testosterone gel
Testosterone gel or cream is applied daily to the skin, usually on the shoulders or upper arms. The gel is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, providing a steady release of testosterone.
Testosterone tablets
Various oral testosterone formulations are also available on the market that doctors may prescribe for hypogonadism.
One of the main products in this category is Jatenzo, which was approved by the FDA for use in men with low testosterone levels.
Unlike other oral testosterone forms, which are metabolized by the liver (and may cause liver toxicity in the long run), Jatenzo is designed to avoid the liver and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Testosterone pellets
These are small pellets that are inserted just under the skin. They begin releasing testosterone gradually over a period of 3 to 6 months.
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is typically used to treat menopausal women to relieve symptoms of menopause.
During menopause, levels of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone decline significantly, which leads to various unpleasant symptoms.
HRT helps restore these hormone levels so you can feel more like yourself again.
Female HRT may also be known by many other names, including menopause hormone therapy, oestrogen replacement therapy or simply hormone therapy.
What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy for women?
Women going through perimenopause or menopause may need female HRT if they are experiencing menopausal symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life.
HRT can help them manage menopausal symptoms such as:
- Vaginal dryness or related vaginal symptoms
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Memory issues
- Insomnia or sleep issues
- Low energy levels
- Low sex drive
- Skin and hair changes
- Bone loss
What are the types of hormone replacement therapy for women?
Hormone therapy involves either having only oestrogen or combining oestrogen with progesterone. Your doctor will choose the menopausal HRT type for you based on your health condition.
Combined HRT
Combination therapy is a type of female HRT that provides both oestrogen and progesterone. Combined hormone therapy is generally prescribed to women who still have their uterus. Progesterone helps protect the womb lining and prevent uterine cancer.
Oestrogen-only HRT
As the name suggests, estrogen therapy provides only oestrogen hormone. It is prescribed to women whose uterus has been removed via hysterectomy.
Bioidentical HRT
Bioidentical HRT or natural HRT involves hormones that are chemically identical to those the body produces naturally. These chemicals are mostly extracted from plants and are then modified to be identical in structure to human hormones.
The most commonly used bioidentical hormones include oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Their effectiveness and safety are still under study.
TRT vs HRT
| Features | TRT | HRT |
| Purpose | Restore testosterone levels to normal | Restore hormonal balance to alleviate menopause-related symptoms |
| Main hormones involved | Mainly testosterone | Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone |
| Target population | Men with low testosterone | Women experiencing menopause or perimenopause symptoms |
| Forms of administration | Injections, topical gels, creams, pellets, or oral forms | Pills, patches, creams, gels, and vaginal rings or suppositories. |
| Treatment duration | Long-term therapy for ongoing testosterone management | Often used during the menopausal transition period, but can also be used for ongoing management |
Check out our detailed video on the key differences between HRT and TRT.
How to start hormone replacement therapy?
Starting HRT involves several steps, such as:
- Book a consultation with your healthcare provider: Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss your health concerns. They will check your symptoms and personal medical history to draw a conclusion. Contact us today to book a FREE consultation with one of our experienced doctors.
- Get blood tests done: Get your hormone levels checked via oestrogen or testosterone blood tests, as explained by your doctor. They may also order additional tests to identify the cause of the hormone imbalance.
- Consider all options: Once your test results come out and you are diagnosed with a hormone imbalance, discuss all the available treatment options with your doctor.
- Choose the right type of HRT: Your doctor will design a hormone therapy treatment plan for you for your specific needs. They will inform you about the available administration methods, such as pills, patches, creams, gels, or injections, to determine what’s most convenient for you.
- Start taking HRT: Your doctor will likely ask you to start taking a low HRT dose initially.
- Monitor progress and adjust as needed: After starting HRT, you will need regular follow-up appointments to monitor how well the HRT therapy is working.
What is the cost of hormone replacement therapy?
The cost of HRT in the UK varies depending on whether you choose NHS or private hormone treatment.
As of May 2024, each NHS prescription item costs £9.90 in England.
For those prescribed HRT, an HRT prescription payment certification costs £19.80 for 12 months. This covers all eligible HRT prescriptions, regardless of the number of items.
Private HRT costs can vary from provider to provider based on your medication dose, treatment plan, and additional services such as testosterone blood tests, private doctor consultation, etc.
Contact us today to learn more about the details of HRT costs.
Is hormone replacement therapy safe?
Generally speaking, HRT is a safe procedure that has been studied for decades and is approved by regulatory bodies.
However, like other treatments, it comes with some unwanted side effects (that most men can manage well with proper monitoring).
Here are the potential side effects of HRT that you should be aware of:
- Breast tenderness (or breast enlargement in males)
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Fluid retention
- Blood clots
- Low sperm count (in males)
- Breast cancer risk
Evaluate HRT pros and cons thoroughly before deciding on whether it is the right treatment for you.
Can hormone replacement therapy help with weight loss?
HRT does not directly cause weight loss or weight gain, but it may help alleviate some early menopause symptoms, which may improve overall body composition.
What is the hormone replacement therapy used for?
HRT is primarily used to restore hormone balance in the body. In men, it is mostly done to boost testosterone levels and bring them within the normal testosterone level range. In women, it is typically prescribed to increase oestrogen and progesterone levels.
How do I know if I need hormone replacement therapy?
If you are experiencing hormone imbalance, you may be the right candidate for HRT. Talk to an endocrinologist to determine if HRT is suitable for you.
Conclusion
HRT is an effective treatment that has so far helped countless men and women restore their hormone levels.
HRT works by replacing or supplementing the hormones that the body no longer produces in adequate amounts due to ageing, menopause, or other medical conditions.
There are various types of HRT based on the method of hormone administration. Discuss all these options with your doctor to determine which one is the best choice for you.
To learn more about HRT and gain clarity on your decision, please contact our hormone clinic and speak with one of our consultants today.
References
Ruppen, I.C., Menechini, P.V.L. and Bitiati, L.B.D., 2025. The Importance of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Men Over 60: Key Side Effects. Medi Clin Case Rep J, 3(1), pp.670-671.
Pencina, K.M., Travison, T.G., Cunningham, G.R., Lincoff, A.M., Nissen, S.E., Khera, M., Miller, M.G., Flevaris, P., Li, X., Wannemuehler, K. and Bhasin, S., 2024. Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on sexual function and hypogonadal symptoms in men with hypogonadism. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 109(2), pp.569-580.
Cho, L., Kaunitz, A.M., Faubion, S.S., Hayes, S.N., Lau, E.S., Pristera, N., Scott, N., Shifren, J.L., Shufelt, C.L., Stuenkel, C.A. and Lindley, K.J., 2023. Rethinking menopausal hormone therapy: for whom, what, when, and how long?. Circulation, 147(7), pp.597-610.
Langer, R.D., Hodis, H.N., Lobo, R.A. and Allison, M.A., 2021. Hormone replacement therapy–where are we now?. Climacteric, 24(1), pp.3-10.
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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: July 4th, 2025
