TRT Side Effects | What You MUST Know

Do you wonder if testosterone therapy is actually as safe as everyone claims it is, or if it has hidden side effects that you need to be aware of?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide we cover everything you MUST know about testosterone therapy, including the benefits and side effects of this breakthrough medical treatment.

We also answer your most important questions, including: 

• How does TRT actually work?

• Will TRT help me to get in shape faster?

• How much testosterone should I take each week?

…And much more! 

Our team of experts at Testosterone.org has analyzed all of the latest data on testosterone therapy, including new research papers that just came out in the last couple of years. We did all of the “heavy lifting” for you, so you get direct, straightforward answers on how to monitor and avoid any potential side effects while on TRT.

We even cover the best online TRT clinics in the United States, and why they are slowly putting traditional in-person TRT clinics out of business…

Now let’s get started!

P.S: Looking to get started with TRT asap? Click here.

What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy is the #1 medical treatment in the world for men with low testosterone levels. 

TRT, or testosterone therapy, is designed to safely raise men’s testosterone levels to the high end of the healthy, normal range. 

This helps them eliminate their low T symptoms, including: 

• Low sex drive

• Erectile dysfunction

• Sleep apnea

• Depression

• Flabby, out-of-shape physique

…And much more!

Of course, TRT does more than just eliminate symptoms of low T – it also delivers countless benefits. 

Men with higher testosterone levels have superior mental and physical health, and are at reduced risk for chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease.

What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is considered the “male sex hormone.” Men produce huge amounts of testosterone in their testes, although women also need some testosterone in their bodies for optimal health. 

Research shows that men with high testosterone levels enjoy the following benefits over their low T counterparts:

• Increased Muscle Mass

• Leaner, More Athletic Physique

• Enhanced Energy Levels

• Superior Sexual Health Sexual

• Elevated Mood / Cognition

There’s no denying that testosterone plays a HUGE role in men’s overall health and well-being. 

Men with higher testosterone levels live longer, happier lives, and have reduced risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease and obesity.

Why Do Men Have Low Testosterone?

Research shows that men’s testosterone levels are rapidly declining all over the world. In fact, men’s testosterone levels have been falling by about 1% per year for the past few years [1]. 

Unfortunately, this trend is affecting older AND younger men. Research shows that men as young as 35, 25, and even 15 years old are experiencing low T symptoms in increasing numbers [2-4]. 

This is alarming, as low T is associated with various metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, among other things [5-6].

What Are Normal Testosterone Levels In Men?

The traditional “reference range” for men’s testosterone levels is about 300 – 1,200 ng / dl [7-8]. In other words, this is how much testosterone men are supposed to have when they perform a blood test. 

Unfortunately, men’s testosterone levels are dropping so fast that researchers have had to revise the reference range multiple times! Today the reference range for men’s testosterone levels is as low as 250 – 800 ng / dl [9-10]! 

This is incredibly alarming, as most men start to experience signs and symptoms of low T when their testosterone is in the 300 – 500 ng / dl range [11]. 

The fastest way to safely raise your testosterone levels is with TRT, or testosterone therapy. But before we talk about how to get started on TRT, let’s quickly cover TRT side effects.

TRT Side Effects (What You MUST Know)

So what kinds of side effects do men on TRT actually experience? Is TRT really the safest and most effective treatment for men with low testosterone levels, or are there hidden side effects that you need to be aware of? 

Let’s look at the facts before jumping to any conclusions.

Testosterone therapy is one of the safest medical treatments in the world today. 

Most men find that their overall health dramatically improves when they jump on TRT! Additionally, studies show that TRT has virtually zero short-term and long-term side effects [12-14]. 

Yes, you need to watch out for things like skin irritation, acne, erythrocytosis (thickening of the blood), and so on. However, overall, testosterone therapy is far safer than most other medical treatments in the world today. 

The biggest thing you need to watch out for is actually TRT contra-indications. If you have any of the following medical conditions, then you should NOT get started on TRT:

• Prostate cancer 

• Male breast cancer

• Sleep apnea

• Urinary tract symptoms 

• Myocardial infarction

• Congestive heart failure 

• High red blood cell count

• Other cardiovascular issues

• Men planning fertility

Studies show that TRT makes all of these conditions worse, not better. 

Don’t worry – your experienced TRT doctor will be able to screen for these medical conditions for you, and tell you if you are a good candidate for TRT. 

Of course, there are a few side effects that you should be on the lookout for…

TRT Short Term Side Effects

The most common short-term side effects from TRT include skin irritation, pain at the injection site, and mood swings. Some people also experience a mild increase in blood pressure. 

Here are some other short-term side effects of TRT that you need to watch out for: 

• Shrinkage of the testicles

• Increased aggression and irritability

• Swelling or tenderness of breasts

• Acne or oily skin

• Swelling of the ankles (fluid retention)

• Difficulty with urination

• High blood cell counts

• Hair loss

• Mood swings

• Skin irritation

Overall these side effects are extremely rare. If you do experience any of these short-term side effects, then your TRT doctor can quickly and easily adjust your weekly testosterone dosage to stop them dead in their tracks!

Of course, there are also some long-term side effects of TRT that you should be aware of…

TRT Long Term Side Effects

Most people do NOT experience long-term side effects while on TRT. In rare cases, individuals may experience high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, impaired fertility, or a number of other medical conditions. 

Here are some other long-term side effects that you need to be aware of:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Strokes and heart attacks

• Polycythemia

• Worsening of urinary symptoms

• Prostate cancer

• Lowered HDL

• Low sperm count

• Reduced fertility

If you do start to experience any of these side effects, then your TRT doctor will be able to adjust your dose to prevent them from surfacing. 

This is one of the reasons we recommend working with a reputable online TRT provider like Fountain TRT. They employ only the most experienced TRT doctors, which means reduced risk of long-term side effects like these.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Benefits

What are the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy? That is a great question! 

Besides just eliminating your low T symptoms, studies show that men on TRT experience the following powerful benefits [15-19]:

• Improved energy levels

• Increased muscle mass / strength

• Increased muscle strength

• Improved body composition

• Faster recovery from workouts

• Stronger bones and joints

• Healthy heart and blood

• Decreased Inflammation

• Improved sexual performance

• Improved mental health

Talk about a powerful medical treatment! Research shows that testosterone replacement therapy has the potential to positively impact every aspect of your life, including virtually all areas of your physical and mental health. 

Let’s quickly take a closer look at 5 of the biggest benefits of TRT…

1. Improved Sexual Performance

Men on TRT often experience a DRAMATIC improvement in their overall sexual performance.

Actually, their girlfriends and wives are usually the first person to notice…

2. Improved Body Composition

Are you struggling to lose weight? Are you carrying some extra body fat around your midsection? 

Then TRT can help. 

Research shows that men who get started with TRT often lose 5-10 pounds of body fat within the first few weeks without making any changes to their diet or exercise routine!

3. Superior Workout Performance

It’s no secret that men on TRT perform better in the gym. With TRT you can go harder, longer, and recover faster than you ever thought possible!

4. Greater Resistance To Injuries

Testosterone therapy gives you Wolverine-like recovery abilities… no – you won’t be able to instantly heal your self from any injury while on TRT. 

However, you will notice a greater resistance to injury, and a faster recovery time overall. 

5. Increased Motivation And “Drive”

Men need testosterone to power through obstacles and achieve their big goals in life. If you decide to get on TRT, then another hidden benefit is increased motivation and drive. 

You may also find that your anxiety and stress levels decrease, making it easier for you to focus on your big long-term projects.

How To Get Started On TRT

Getting started with TRT in the 2020’s is extremely easy. 

All you have to do is follow these 5 simple steps:

• Contact an online TRT clinic, and fill out their questionnaire

• Talk to your doctor about your signs and symptoms of low T

• Perform a comprehensive blood test at a partnered lab facility

• Talk to your doctor about the results of your blood test

• Start using your new prescription testosterone medication

Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps.

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

The first and most important step in getting started with testosterone therapy is to contact a TRT clinic! 

The truth is there are 2 main types of TRT clinics today:

• Online TRT clinics

• In-person TRT clinics

In-person TRT clinics are the traditional way of getting started with TRT. Unfortunately, they are extremely slow and expensive. 

Online TRT clinics like Fountain TRT are quickly replacing traditional in-person TRT clinics as the go-to method for getting started with testosterone therapy. They are faster, easier, less expensive, and produce better overall patient outcomes. 

Once you find an online TRT clinic you like (more on this below), all you have to do is fill out their free online questionnaire and one of their experienced TRT doctors will set up a 100% risk-free consultation with you.

2. Talk To Your Doctor About Your Signs And Symptoms Of Low T

Online TRT clinics are great because they let you talk to your doctor from the comfort of your own home. 

During your risk-free consultation you should talk to your doctor about your signs and symptoms of low T, including:

• Low sex drive

• Skinny-fat physique

• Low motivation

• Sick all the time

• Depression

Your doctor needs to know what symptoms you are dealing with, that way he can design your customized TRT treatment plan for you. 

This is also a great time to ask your TRT doctor about any questions you may have regarding testosterone therapy!

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

If your doctor agrees that you may be suffering from low T, then he will immediately help you schedule an appointment with one of their partnered lab facilities to get your blood drawn. 

It’s so important to get a blood test done because this is the ONLY way to measure your actual testosterone levels. 

Your TRT doctor may be looking at several different tests, including:

• Total testosterone

• Free testosterone

• Estradiol

• Complete blood count

• Vitamin D

• Hematocrit

• Thyroid function

Of course, the most important thing they are measuring is your total testosterone. 

If your total testosterone levels are low, then you may be a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.

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

After you get your blood drawn, your online TRT doctor will schedule a time to go over the results with you. Of course, this is done using Zoom and other telehealth technologies, so you never have to leave your own home! 

To recap, here is how most experienced TRT doctors classify men’s total testosterone levels:

• Optimal: 800 – 1,200 ng / dl

• Average: 300 – 800 ng / dl

• Low: <300 ng / dl

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

If your TRT doctor agrees, then he will immediately get to work on assembling your customized TRT treatment protocol.

5. Start Using Your New Prescription Testosterone Medication

The last step is to start using your prescription testosterone medication! Your doctor will personally show you how to use your new medication, and ship it directly to your own home. 

Most TRT doctors prefer to use testosterone injections or creams. However, there are a number of other medications including gels, patches, and pellets that can be used as well. 

Most patients notice a dramatic change in how they look and feel after just 1-2 weeks on their new testosterone medication!

Depending on your situation, your TRT doctor may also prescribe you additional medications, including HCG (for fertility) or an anti-estrogen medication (if you are experiencing severe anti-estrogenic side effects).

Online TRT Clinics Vs In-Person TRT Clinics

What’s the difference between an online TRT clinic, and a traditional in-person one? 

In-person TRT clinics used to be the only option for men interested in getting started on testosterone replacement therapy. The problem with in-person clinics is they are slow, expensive, and difficult to work with. 

Fortunately, online TRT clinics started to appear in 2020 with the onset of the pandemic. 

Sense then online TRT clinics have rapidly become the #1 option for men looking to get started with testosterone replacement therapy! 

Online TRT clinics have the following advantages over traditional in-person clinics:

• Significantly less expensive than traditional in-person clinics

• You can talk to your TRT doctor from the comfort of your own home

• Better overall customer service and patient experiences

• Online TRT doctors tend to be more qualified and produce better results

• Faster overall process to go from “zero” to “first week on TRT”

…And much more!

Overall, online TRT clinics are just a better all-around option for men of all ages. The are faster, easier to work with, and far less expensive. They also let you talk to your TRT doctor from home using Zoom and other telehealth technologies. 

This saves you time AND money, as you no longer have to drive all the way to your doctor’s office to talk to your TRT doctor. 

It’s no wonder men all over the United States have started using online TRT clinics as their go-to option!

What’s The Best Online TRT Clinic?

You may be wondering what the best online TRT clinic is for men living in the United States. Are all online TRT clinics created equal, or is one clearly better than the rest? 

Our team spent weeks testing dozens of online TRT clinics, and our verdict is clear: Fountain TRT is the #1 online TRT clinic serving patients in the United States. 

Here are a few of the things that make Fountain TRT our #1 choice:

• Dozens of 5-star reviews from verified customers

• World-class online TRT doctors with decades of experience

• A fast, streamlined process to get you on TRT as quickly as possible

Fountain TRT was founded by Dr. Doron Stember, a board-certified urologist with decades of experience treating men with low testosterone levels. 

He truly understands the struggles of men with low T, and how to deliver the best possible outcomes for them. That’s why he assembled some of the world’s most experienced TRT doctors and created his new company, Fountain TRT. 

With Fountain TRT, you know you are getting the highest quality care available anywhere in the world. 

Best of all, they use a simple 3- step process to get you started on TRT as quickly as possible:

• Fill out their online questionnaire, and talk to your TRT doctor about your low T symptoms

• Perform a comprehensive blood test, and go over the results with your doctor

• Begin using your prescription testosterone medication as directed by your TRT doctor!

Getting started with Fountain TRT couldn’t be easier! Best of all, they give you the option of using testosterone injections OR testosterone creams!

This means you don’t have to worry about painful testosterone injections ever again. Highly recommended!

Pros

• Truly world-class customer service

• The most quailed TRT doctors in the industry

• Countless 5-star reviews from satisfied customers

Cons

• Only offers TRT services, cannot replace your PCP

Types Of Testosterone Medications

Which type of testosterone medication is best? Are testosterone injections really the way to go, or are the newer testosterone creams going to slowly replace them as the #1 choice for men on TRT? These are great questions. 

The truth is testosterone injections and creams are considered the top 2 treatment options for men on TRT. There are several other testosterone medications that you could also use, but they are generally less effective. 

Let’s quickly look at all of your options, including why we generally recommend testosterone injections or creams for most patients.

1. Injectable Testosterone

Testosterone injections are considered the “gold standard” treatment option for men on TRT. 

Testosterone injections have been studied for decades, and the verdict is clear: they are an extremely safe and effective way for men to optimize their testosterone levels. 

Here are some guidelines on how much testosterone a patient should inject each week:

• High Dose: 200 mg per week

• Moderate Dose: 150 mg per week

• Conservative Dose: 100 mg per week

Most TRT doctors start their patients off with 100 – 150 mg of testosterone per week, although doses as high as 200 mg per week are also used. 

Using more than 200 mg per week is NOT recommended, as this is pushing into “steroid cycle” territory.

2. Topical (Transdermal) Testosterone

Testosterone creams are an interesting alternative to traditional testosterone injections. 

The latest research shows they are extremely effective at raising men’s testosterone levels, and also come with fewer side effects than traditional injections. 

There are technically 2 different kinds of transdermal testosterone medications:

• Testosterone creams

• Testosterone gels

Testosterone gels are the older option, and they are generally less effective than the newer testosterone creams. 

The only downsides of using testosterone creams is they need to be applied 1-2 times per day (morning and night), and they are usually slightly more expensive than testosterone injections. 

3. Testosterone Patches

Testosterone patches are another option for TRT. 

The user places a patch on their skin, and the patch slowly releases testosterone into their bloodstream over a 24-hour period. 

Unfortunately testosterone patches are less effective than testosterone injections and creams, so they aren’t used nearly as often.

4. Testosterone Implants (Pellets)

Testosterone implants, or pellets, are another interesting option for men. 

Here’s how they work: a small pellet (about the size of a grain of rice) is surgically placed underneath the skin. This pellet slowly releases testosterone into the body over a 3-month period. 

After the 3 months is up, another surgery is performed to remove the pellet and replace it with a new one. 

Unfortunately, testosterone pellets result in wild swings in testosterone levels, as they release more testosterone into the body at the beginning of the 3-month period and less towards the end, so they are not used as often as creams and injections.

5. Other Testosterone Options

There are a few other testosterone medications currently being studied by researchers, including oral and nasal formulas.

These medications are still extremely experimental, and are not used very often today.

Personalized TRT: Dosage, Frequency, Additional Medications

You may be wondering about your testosterone dosage and frequency, or whether you need to take additional medications as part of your TRT protocol. 

Don’t worry – we’ve got all the answers for you right here!

How Much Testosterone Should I Take Each Week?

Most men using testosterone injections are advised to take 100 – 200 mg of testosterone per week. This is enough for most men to get their total testosterone into the desired 800 – 1,200 ng / dl range, while minimizing the potential for any unwanted side effects. 

Most TRT doctors start out their patients at 100 – 150 mg of testosterone per week, and only increase it to 200 mg per week depending on their response [20]. 

Taking more than 200 mg of testosterone per week is NOT recommended, as this is classified as a mild “steroid cycle” and may have serious side effects [21-22]. 

If you are using a prescription testosterone cream, then things get simpler: all you have to do is take 1-2 “pumps” of the medication 1-2 times per day.

How Often Do I Need To Take My Testosterone Medication?

If you are using testosterone injections, then most TRT doctors recommend injecting 1-3 times per week. These should be performed with equally divided doses. 

For example, if you are using 150 mg of testosterone per week, then you might inject 50 mg of testosterone on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

Don’t worry – your TRT doctor will go over all of this with you. Smaller, more frequent testosterone injections tend to result in fewer side effects than larger bolus doses, and are a good option for many men.

Do I Need To Take Any Other Medications With TRT?

Most men do not need to take any additional medications while on TRT. 

All you really need is your prescription testosterone medication. However, some doctors choose to prescribe HCG (for fertility) or an estrogen blocker (to minimize estrogenic side effects) [23-24]. 

These are done on a case-by-case basis, and are certainly NOT required by most individuals.

How Much Does TRT Cost?

Testosterone replacement therapy costs approximately $200 – $300 dollars per month. Traditional in-person clinics are generally more expensive, and often run upwards of $300 – $500 per month. 

On the other hand, many online TRT clinics like Peter Uncaged MD have testosterone replacement therapy plans starting at just $99 dollars per month! 

As you can see, the newer online TRT clinics are the way to go if you are trying to save some money. Of course, there are other factors to consider. 

Testosterone injections tend to be less expensive than the newer testosterone creams, and if you taking any additional medications (like HCG or an estrogen blocker) then that may increase the cost of your TRT program as well.

Do Online TRT Clinics Accept Insurance?

You may be wondering if online TRT clinics accept insurance. 

Is it possible to get your current health insurance provider to cover the cost of testosterone replacement therapy? 

The truth is almost all online TRT providers including Fountain TRT accept most major health insurance provider, including:

• Aetna

• United Health

• Anthem 

• Cigna

• Humana

If you have any one of these health insurance providers (or any other major health insurance plan in the United States), then the odds are very high that online TRT providers will accept your insurance plan. 

This is great news for anyone who is looking to save some extra money! 

Unfortunately, your specific health insurance provider may or may not reimburse for testosterone replacement therapy. Lately many insurance companies are trying to minimize expenses by not reimbursing for services related to men’s health. 

You will have to follow up with your own provider to make sure they reimburse for TRT services!

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about testosterone replacement therapy.

Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy Safe?

Yes – testosterone replacement therapy is perfectly safe. It has been studied for decades, and all of the latest studies show that TRT has very few, if any, side effects. 

This is especially true if you are working with an experienced online TRT doctor. 

How Much Does TRT Cost?

Testosterone replacement therapy costs approximately $200 – $300 per month. 

Of course, this depends on many different factors including which clinic you work with, whether you are using testosterone injections or creams, and whether or not your insurance provider covers TRT services.

Which Form Of Testosterone Is Best?

The best forms of testosterone to take include testosterone injections and creams. 

Testosterone injections are great because you only have to take them 1-3 times per week, they have been studied for decades, and they are the cheapest form of testosterone medication. 

On the other hand, creams are also a good choice because they are completely painless, and have the least amount of side effects.

How Much Testosterone Should I Take Each Week?

If you are taking testosterone injections, then you should take 100 – 200 mg per week for TRT. For many people 150 mg per week is the right starting point. 

If you are using a testosterone cream, then 1-2 “pumps” of the cream 1-2 times per day should suffice. 

Of course, your online TRT doctor will tell you exactly how much testosterone to take per week, depending on your goals and biochemistry. 

What’s The Best Online TRT Provider?

The best online TRT provider in the United States is undoubtedly Fountain TRT. 

They have world-class customer service, a team of amazing online TRT doctors, and some of the best rates in the industry. 

Highly recommended!

Is It Legal To Buy Testosterone Online? 

It is 100% legal to buy testosterone online – provided you have a legit doctor’s prescription! 

We recommend purchasing your testosterone through a high-quality online TRT clinic like Fountain TRT. They sell pharmaceutical grade testosterone medications, which means you are getting the highest quality product available anywhere in the world.

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

Yes, you will be able to have kids if you go on TRT. 

Research shows that men on TRT are able to maintain their fertility, especially if they are taking HCG or other similar medications as part of their TRT protocol.

Verdict | TRT Side Effects

So what’s the verdict… does TRT have side effects?

The truth is testosterone therapy does have some side effects, but they are extremely rare and not very dangerous. 

The most common side effects include skin irritation (with injections), high blood pressure, and erythrocytosis (thickening of the blood). All of these side effects are completely preventable – especially if you are working with a qualified testosterone doctor.

If you want to minimize side effects while on TRT, then we strongly recommend working with a reputable online TRT provider like Fountain TRT. 

We like them because they have some of the best TRT doctors in the United States, and have an unbeatable track record for delivering superior outcomes for their patients. 

In fact, most men have one thing to say after working with Fountain TRT…

“What took me so long? I feel like a million bucks!”

Testosterone therapy is the one medical procedure that can completely transform your life in the first 1-3 weeks. You may experience better energy levels, improved sex drive, improved body composition, and more!

So what are you waiting for? 

Contact Fountain TRT today and get ready to transform your life in just a few short weeks!

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