HRT vs. TRT | Everything You MUST Know

Curious about HRT vs TRT?

Image2

Do you wonder about the differences between hormone replacement therapy and testosterone replacement therapy, aka two of the most important medical treatment options for men and women with declining hormone levels?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

This comprehensive guide we cover everything you MUST know about HRT and TRT, including the major benefits that each of these treatment options has to offer.

We also answer your most important questions, including: 

  • How do I know if I have low testosterone?
  • How do I get started on HRT and TRT?
  • What’s the difference between online vs in-person TRT clinics?

Our team of experts at Testosterone.org has analyzed all of the latest research papers on HRT and TRT, so you can be confident that you’re getting science-based information organized in a straightforward, easy to understand way.

We even cover the best HRT and TRT protocols for maximizing your physical and mental health…

Now let’s get started!

P.S: Looking to get started with HRT and/or TRT? Click here.

What Is HRT?

HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is one of the most popular anti-aging medical treatments in the world today. Men AND women all over the world are turning to HRT to make sure they look and feel their absolute best. 

Unfortunately, men and women’s hormone levels are slowly dropping in most developed countries.

Research shows that men’s testosterone levels are falling by about 1% per year for the past 50 years, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down [1]. 

Declining hormone levels isn’t just an issue for older men and women, though – the latest studies show that younger individuals are also suffering from declining hormone levels [2-4].

Actually, this trend may explain the rapid increase in diabetes, obesity, and various metabolic diseases over the past 50 years [5-6].

Image3

What Is TRT?

TRT, or testosterone replacement therapy, is a specific type of hormone replacement therapy designed specifically for men. 

Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in the male body, but men today are suffering from low testosterone levels at record rates. 

Research shows that men are traditionally supposed to have total testosterone levels in the 800 – 1,200 ng / dl range [7-8]. However, so many men today are suffering from low T that researchers have had to revise these numbers downwards! 

Today, most doctors believe anything in the 250 – 800 ng / dl range for men’s testosterone levels is “normal” [9-10]. 

This is alarming, as studies show that most men experience signs and symptoms of low T when their total testosterone levels fall below 300 ng / dl, and many men actually experience symptoms if there total testosterone is anywhere below the 800 ng / dl threshold [11].

What Is HGH Therapy?

HGH therapy is a revolutionary new form of HRT, or hormone replacement therapy. 

Men have used testosterone therapy for decades to restore their natural testosterone levels and supercharge their life. However, in recent years more and more men and women have started taking human growth hormone to slow down the aging process and maximize their physical appearance. 

Research shows that human growth hormone has the following benefits [12-13]:

  • Increased muscle mass
  • Decreased body fat
  • Increased muscular endurance
  • Healthier looking skin
  • Stronger connective tissue

…And much more. 

HGH is often taken in addition to testosterone therapy, or other anti-aging therapies. However, it can also be taken as a stand-alone medication. 

It all depends on the individual, their goals, and their unique biochemistry.

Hormone Replacement Therapy For Men

Most men start to suffer from declining hormone levels as they get older – especially past age 30. This is a natural part of the aging process, but many men actually suffer from signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels, which has a negative effect on their quality of life. 

Men with low T and low HGH often experience the following symptoms [14-18]:

  • Poor body composition
  • Reduced sexual health
  • Low energy levels
  • Reduced motivation
  • Worsening mental health

…And much more. 

Fortunately, men can use hormone replacement therapy to supplement their natural hormone production and achieve optimal testosterone and human growth hormone levels in their bodies. 

This is great news, men with optimized hormone levels experience tons of benefits, including [19-23]:

  • Leaner, more athletic physique
  • Superior sexual performance
  • Increased attention from women
  • Greater resilience and “drive”
  • Healthier looking skin and face

…The list goes on and on! It’s no wonder thousands, if not millions of men all over the United States have turned to hormone replacement therapy to transform their lives. 

There are a lot of great HRT clinics out there, but our absolute favorite option is Fountain TRT.

We’ll discuss the numerous benefits of working with a world-class HRT clinic like Fountain TRT further below in this article.

Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women

Hormone replacement therapy for women traditionally revolves around one simple thing: eliminating symptoms of menopause. 

It’s no secret that menopause is one of the most difficult things that women have to go through in their lives. 

Some of the most annoying side effects of menopause for women include:

  • Mood swings, mild depression or irritability.
  • Dry skin, dry eyes or dry mouth.
  • Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
  • Feeling a need to pee (urinary urgency).
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
  • Frequent hot flashes 
  • Night sweats and/or cold flashes

What is a woman supposed to do if she is suffering from these common symptoms? Fortunately, there is an easy answer: hormone replacement therapy. 

Hormone replacement therapy for women often revolves around taking supplemental hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, as these hormones start to rapidly decline in post-menopausal women. 

Research shows that hormone replacement therapy is the #1 treatment option for women suffering from these negative signs and symptoms. Of course, HRT can also be used by younger women to optimize their hormone levels and look and feel their best. 

Understanding testosterone levels in women and how they affect a woman’s life is vital, as well.

HRT for women under 50 tends to revolve around 2 main hormones:

  • Testosterone
  • Human growth hormone

For example, many female athletes prefer to take HRT with testosterone and HGH so they can look, feel, and perform their best. 

As you can see, HRT is a versatile treatment option for men AND women! No matter who you are, you may be able to benefit massively from this breakthrough treatment option.

Online HRT Clinics Vs In-Person Clinics

You may be wondering about the difference between the newer online HRT clinics, and traditional in-person ones. 

Are online HRT clinics really that much better for men and women suffering from declining hormone levels?

Our team has researched online AND in-person HRT clinics for weeks, and our verdict is clear: online HRT clinics are far superior in terms of price, quality of service, and patient outcomes. 

Here are just a few of the advantages of working with an online HRT clinic:

  • Talk to your doctor online using Zoom and e-mail
  • Far less expensive than traditional in-person clinics
  • Easier to get started and get a TRT prescription
  • Most qualified testosterone doctors in the world
  • World-class customer service and support

Online HRT clinics function almost exactly the same as traditional in-person clinics. 

There is only one major difference: with an online HRT clinic, you talk to your HRT doctor online using Zoom, e-mail, and other telehealth technologies. 

This saves you time AND money as you don’t have to drive 60 minutes to your local clinic to speak to your doctor. 

Don’t worry – online HRT clinics offer truly world-class customer service, and consistently produce outstanding results for their patients. 

Our team was even able to identify the #1 online HRT clinic operating in the United States – Fountain TRT. More on this below…

How To Get Started On HRT

So how do you actually get started on HRT?

The truth is online HRT clinics make it incredibly easy to get started with hormone replacement therapy. All you have to do is follow these 5 steps:

  1. Contact An Online HRT Clinic, And Fill Out Their Free Questionnaire

The first and most important step in getting started with HRT is to contact an online HRT clinic. The truth is there are two different types of HRT clinics that you can choose from:

  • Online TRT clinics
  • In-person TRT clinics

In our experience online HRT clinics are far superior – especially if you are working with a reputable company like Fountain TRT.

The ability to talk to your doctor remotely using telehealth technologies is an absolute game-changer!

Most online HRT clinics have a free low-hormone questionnaire that you can fill out. This will give your HRT doctor more information about your signs and symptoms, as well as your goals for the treatment process.

  1. Talk To Your HRT Doctor About Your Unique Signs And Symptoms

The next step in getting started with HRT is to talk to your doctor about the signs and symptoms you are experiencing. 

Most online HRT clinics like Fountain TRT offer a free consultation with one of their experienced doctors. 

This is the perfect chance to talk about the symptoms you are experiencing, including: 

  • Low energy
  • Lack of motivation
  • Reduced sex drive
  • “Skinny-fat” physique
  • Declining mental health

This is also the perfect time to talk about your goals for the treatment process. This is important, as hormone replacement therapy has to be customized for the individual. 

It goes without saying, but a 30-year-old man may have different goals than a 60-year-old woman!

  1. Perform A Comprehensive Blood Test At A Partnered Lab Facility

If your doctor agrees that you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy, then the next step is to perform a comprehensive blood test to measure your exact hormone levels. 

Most HRT doctors will be looking at several different lab values, including:

  • Total testosterone
  • Free testosterone
  • Estradiol
  • Complete blood count
  • Vitamin D
  • Hematocrit
  • Thyroid function

Of course, the most important tests include your total testosterone and estrogen levels.

However, they will also be looking at several other relevant tests so they can give you the best possible treatment protocol to help you reach your specific goals.

  1. Talk To Your Doctor About The Results Of Your Blood Test

After you perform your blood test, your online HRT doctor will review the results and schedule a meeting with you to go over them. 

If you are a man, then you may be especially interested in knowing your total testosterone levels. 

Here are some general guidelines for total testosterone levels in men:

  • Optimal: 800 – 1,200 ng / dl
  • Average: 300 – 800 ng / dl
  • Low: <300 ng / dl

If your total testosterone levels are below 300 (or even in the 300 – 800 range), then you may be an excellent candidate for testosterone therapy. 

Of course, HGH therapy is also an extremely popular option that can be used alone (or alongside) testosterone therapy. 

If you are a woman, then your doctor may be paying closer attention to your estrogen and progesterone levels.

  1. Start Using Your New Prescription Medications (TRT, HGH etc.)

This is the fun part: your doctor will ship your prescription testosterone / HGH / estrogen medication straight to your door, and you can begin using it and enjoying the benefits of an optimized hormonal profile! 

Don’t worry – if you are working with a reputable online HRT clinic like Fountain TRT, then they will show you EXACTLY how to use your new medication. 

Getting started on hormone therapy really is that simple!

Best Online HRT Clinics In 2023

There are dozens of online HRT clinics in the United States in 2023. So how do you know which one to choose? 

Don’t worry – our team of experts has personally researched and tested every major HRT clinic in the country. Some of the online HRT clinics seriously impressed us, while others left us extremely disappointed… however, our team was able to find one clinic that exceeded our expectations on every level:

 Fountain TRT 

Here are a few of the things that make Fountain TRT the clear #1 choice for an online HRT provider:

  • Dozens of 5-start reviews from verified patients
  • Streamlined process to get you on TRT FAST
  • Regular bloodwork checkups to keep you healthy
  • Experienced TRT doctors that you can trust
  • Premium quality testosterone medications that just work

Fountain TRT was started by Dr. Doron Stember, a board-certified urologist with decades of experience treating men and women just like you with low hormone levels. 

He truly understands the needs of his patients, and trains his staff to deliver the best possible treatment outcomes for all of his patients. 

Best of all, Fountain TRT uses a simple 3-step process to make it as easy as possible for you to get started on hormone replacement therapy:

  • Step #1: Fill out their low T questionnaire, and talk to your online TRT doctor using their 100% risk-free consultation
  • Step #2: Get your bloodwork done at a partnered lab facility, and review your results with your testosterone doctor
  • Step #3: Wait while your doctor makes your 100% customized TRT protocol, and start using your testosterone medication!

Getting started with HRT couldn’t be any easier! 

How Expensive Is HRT?

You may be wondering how expensive HRT is for men and women. 

Can the average person really get started on hormone replacement therapy and experience the benefits of an optimized hormonal profile, even if they only have an average income?

The truth is HRT is incredibly affordable – provided you are working with one of the newer online HRT clinics like Fountain TRT. 

Most online HRT plans start at $200 – $300 per month. This means almost anyone can afford to get started on hormone replacement therapy, including TRT, HGH therapy, and more! 

Trust us – hormone replacement therapy is well worth the cost. You will be shocked at how good you look AND feel once you optimize your testosterone, human growth hormone, and/or estrogen levels. 

In fact, the only question you will be asking yourself is “what took me so long!?”

Image1

HRT Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about hormone replacement therapy:

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe For Older Men?

Yes – hormone replacement therapy is 100% safe for older men. 

Research shows that replenishing your body’s natural testosterone and HGH production also has many benefits, including a leaner physique, increased motivation, and more attention from the opposite sex.

Will I Be Able To Have Kids If I Go On HRT?

Yes, you can still have kids if you go on HRT. 

Some men find they have reduced sperm count while on testosterone therapy, but this can be completely prevented by taking HCG or other prescription medications to maintain fertility while on TRT.

Does Insurance Cover HRT?

This is a tricky question… the truth is not all health insurance providers cover the cost of HRT. 

You will have to contact your own insurance company to make sure that HRT services are covered under your plan.

How Much Does HRT Cost?

Hormone replacement therapy can cost anywhere from $50 – $1,000 (or more!). 

It all depends on what hormones you are taking, your unique goals, and whether or not insurance will cover the cost of your medications. 

What Does HRT Do To Your Body?

Hormone replacement therapy is designed to replenish your body’s natural hormone production. For men, this may involve taking a prescription testosterone and HGH medication. 

For women, this may involve taking a prescription estrogen and/or progesterone medication.

How Do I Get Started With An Online HRT Clinic?

Getting started with an online HRT clinic is easy – all you have to do is head to their website, and fill out their free low-hormone questionnaire. From there, your HRT doctor will schedule a risk-free consultation with you using Zoom and other telehealth technologies. 

This is your chance to explain your symptoms, your goals for the treatment process, and ask any questions that you may have.

What’s The Best Online HRT Provider?

In our experience, Fountain TRT is the #1 online HRT provider in the United States today.

We were blown away by their experienced doctors and staff, incredible customer service, and competitive rates. With Fountain TRT, you have nothing to worry about!

Verdict | What Is HRT?

So what’s the verdict…what is HRT, or hormone replacement therapy?

HRT is one of the most important medical treatments in the world today. Millions of men and women have used HRT to optimize their body’s hormone levels, which eliminates their symptoms and transforms the way they look and feel. 

Men often take prescription testosterone and HGH medications to eliminate their low-T symptoms and supercharge their life. On the other hand, women primarily take HRT to eliminate their post-menopausal symptoms.

Overall, we highly recommend working with an experienced online HRT provider like Fountain TRT. No matter who you are, their experienced HRT doctors are ready to help transform your life.

In fact, most people have one thing to say after working with Fountain TRT:

“What took me so long? I feel like a whole new person!”

The truth is HRT can completely change the way you look and feel in the first 1-2 weeks. Men AND women are completely blown away by how effective HRT is in such a short period of time.

If you think you could benefit from a doctor-supervised HRT program, then we STRONGLY recommend working with an experienced online HRT provider like Fountain TRT.

So what are you waiting for?

Get in touch with Fountain TRT today and get ready to look and feel like a whole new person!

References

  • Nieschlag E, Nieschlag S. Testosterone deficiency: a historical perspective. Asian J Androl. 2014 Mar-Apr;16(2):161-8. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.122358. PMID: 24435052; PMCID: PMC3955324.
  • Liu YJ, Shen XB, Yu N, Shang XJ, Gu YQ, Zuo LD, Xiong CL, Ye Z, Zhou YZ. Prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism among middle-aged and elderly males in China: results from a national survey. Asian J Androl. 2021 Mar-Apr;23(2):170-177. doi: 10.4103/aja.aja_59_20. PMID: 33154202; PMCID: PMC7991815.
  • Braga PC, Pereira SC, Ribeiro JC, Sousa M, Monteiro MP, Oliveira PF, Alves MG. Late-onset hypogonadism and lifestyle-related metabolic disorders. Andrology. 2020 Nov;8(6):1530-1538. doi: 10.1111/andr.12765. Epub 2020 Feb 16. PMID: 31991053.
  • Cohen J, Nassau DE, Patel P, Ramasamy R. Low Testosterone in Adolescents & Young Adults. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Jan 10;10:916. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00916. Erratum in: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Jul 14;11:449. PMID: 32063884; PMCID: PMC6966696.
  • Peterson MD, Belakovskiy A, McGrath R, Yarrow JF. Testosterone Deficiency, Weakness, and Multimorbidity in Men. Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 12;8(1):5897. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24347-6. PMID: 29651127; PMCID: PMC5897450.
  • Saad, F., Röhrig, G., Haehling, S. von, & Traish, A. (2016, November 18). Testosterone deficiency and testosterone treatment in older men. Gerontology. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/452499 
  • Bhasin S, Zhang A, Coviello A, Jasuja R, Ulloor J, Singh R, Vesper H, Vasan RS. The impact of assay quality and reference ranges on clinical decision making in the diagnosis of androgen disorders. Steroids. 2008 Dec 12;73(13):1311-7. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2008.07.003. Epub 2008 Jul 17. PMID: 18687348.
  • Solberg HE, PetitClerc C. Approved recommendation (1988) on the theory of reference values. Part 3. Preparation of individuals and collection of specimens for the production of reference values. Clin Chim Acta. 1988 Oct 31;177(3):S3-11. doi: 10.1016/0009-8981(88)90074-5. PMID: 3233768.
  • Snyder PJ, Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Matsumoto AM, Stephens-Shields AJ, Cauley JA, Gill TM, Barrett-Connor E, Swerdloff RS, Wang C, Ensrud KE, Lewis CE, Farrar JT, Cella D, Rosen RC, Pahor M, Crandall JP, Molitch ME, Cifelli D, Dougar D, Fluharty L, Resnick SM, Storer TW, Anton S, Basaria S, Diem SJ, Hou X, Mohler ER 3rd, Parsons JK, Wenger NK, Zeldow B, Landis JR, Ellenberg SS; Testosterone Trials Investigators. Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Older Men. N Engl J Med. 2016 Feb 18;374(7):611-24. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1506119. PMID: 26886521; PMCID: PMC5209754.
  • Basaria S, Harman SM, Travison TG, Hodis H, Tsitouras P, Budoff M, Pencina KM, Vita J, Dzekov C, Mazer NA, Coviello AD, Knapp PE, Hally K, Pinjic E, Yan M, Storer TW, Bhasin S. Effects of Testosterone Administration for 3 Years on Subclinical Atherosclerosis Progression in Older Men With Low or Low-Normal Testosterone Levels: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2015 Aug 11;314(6):570-81. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.8881. PMID: 26262795.
  • Testosterone, aging, and the mind. Harvard Health. (2008, January 1). Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/testosterone_aging_and_the_mind 
  • Díez JJ, Cordido F. Beneficios y riesgos de la hormona del crecimiento en adultos con déficit de la misma [Benefits and risks of growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency]. Med Clin (Barc). 2014 Oct 21;143(8):354-9. Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2013.11.026. Epub 2014 Jan 28. PMID: 24485161.
  • Díez JJ, Sangiao-Alvarellos S, Cordido F. Treatment with Growth Hormone for Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency Syndrome: Benefits and Risks. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Mar 17;19(3):893. doi: 10.3390/ijms19030893. PMID: 29562611; PMCID: PMC5877754.
  • Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MAB. Male Infertility. [Updated 2022 Nov 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/
  • Wong RMY, Wong H, Zhang N, Chow SKH, Chau WW, Wang J, Chim YN, Leung KS, Cheung WH. The relationship between sarcopenia and fragility fracture-a systematic review. Osteoporos Int. 2019 Mar;30(3):541-553. doi: 10.1007/s00198-018-04828-0. Epub 2019 Jan 4. PMID: 30610245.
  • Shiferaw WS, Akalu TY, Petrucka PM, Areri HA, Aynalem YA. Risk factors of erectile dysfunction among diabetes patients in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2020 Jul 3;21:100232. doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2020.100232. PMID: 32685380; PMCID: PMC7358381.
  • See, Chee Keong1,2,3,4; Turnbull, Deborah3,5; Ritson, Felix1,5; Martin, Sean1,2,3; Tully, Phillip1,2,3; Wittert, Gary1,2,3. Association of endogenous testosterone concentration with depression in men: a systematic review protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 17(9):p 1894-1900, September 2019. | DOI: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-004035 
  • Corona G, Rastrelli G, Di Pasquale G, Sforza A, Mannucci E, Maggi M. Endogenous Testosterone Levels and Cardiovascular Risk: Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. J Sex Med. 2018 Sep;15(9):1260-1271. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.06.012. Epub 2018 Aug 23. PMID: 30145097.
  • Kim SH, Park JJ, Kim KH, Yang HJ, Kim DS, Lee CH, Jeon YS, Shim SR, Kim JH. Efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy for treating metabolic disturbances in late-onset hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. 2021 Sep;53(9):1733-1746. doi: 10.1007/s11255-021-02876-w. Epub 2021 Jun 5. PMID: 34089171.
  • Kim SH, Park JJ, Kim KH, Yang HJ, Kim DS, Lee CH, Jeon YS, Shim SR, Kim JH. Efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy for treating metabolic disturbances in late-onset hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. 2021 Sep;53(9):1733-1746. doi: 10.1007/s11255-021-02876-w. Epub 2021 Jun 5. PMID: 34089171.
  • Lunenfeld B, Mskhalaya G, Zitzmann M, Corona G, Arver S, Kalinchenko S, Tishova Y, Morgentaler A. Recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of testosterone deficiency in men. Aging Male. 2021 Dec;24(1):119-138. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2021.1962840. PMID: 34396893.
  • Varanoske AN, Margolis LM, Pasiakos SM. Effects of Testosterone on Serum Concentrations, Fat-free Mass, and Physical Performance by Population: A Meta-analysis. J Endocr Soc. 2020 Jul 3;4(9):bvaa090. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa090. PMID: 32864543; PMCID: PMC7444672.
  • Traish A. Testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency: Are we beyond the point of no return? Investig Clin Urol. 2016 Nov;57(6):384-400. doi: 10.4111/icu.2016.57.6.384. Epub 2016 Nov 7. Erratum in: Investig Clin Urol. 2017 Jan;58(1):77. PMID: 27847912; PMCID: PMC5109795.

 

Categories: Sponsored Post