Testosterone Therapy: 5 Popular Myths That Aren't True.

Five Common Questions About TRT: Evidence and Limitations

Questions about testosterone therapy deserve balanced answers. TRT may help appropriately diagnosed men, but benefits vary and adverse effects remain possible. A consultation evaluates suitability rather than guaranteeing improved energy, appearance or quality of life.

#1. Testosterone Makes Men Aggressive and Violent.

TRT does not inevitably make a person aggressive, but mood or behavioral changes should not be dismissed. The bargaining experiment cited in older versions of this article does not establish that long-term TRT cannot affect behavior. Report new irritability, mood changes or other concerns to the prescriber. Medical treatment and supraphysiological steroid use should not be treated as equivalent exposures.

#2. Does Testosterone Cause Prostate Cancer?

TRT has not been established as a way to prevent prostate cancer. In the TRAVERSE prostate safety trial, prostate cancer events were uncommon and did not differ significantly between treatment groups in carefully screened men. PSA increased more with testosterone. These findings do not prove zero risk or apply automatically to men excluded from the trial. Discuss personal risk, prior cancer and prostate monitoring with the clinician.

#3. Can TRT Affect Testicular Size?

Exogenous testosterone can suppress the signals that support testicular testosterone and sperm production, and testicular size may decrease. The degree and timing vary. Adding hCG does not guarantee preservation of testicular size or fertility. The AUA/ASRM guideline advises against exogenous testosterone for men interested in current or future fertility and considers evidence for fertility-preserving add-on treatment too limited to recommend that approach. Discuss reproductive goals before treatment.

#4. Can TRT Cause Breast Symptoms?

Breast tenderness or enlargement can occur and requires assessment; an experienced prescriber cannot guarantee it will never happen. Estradiol is important to male health, and an aromatase inhibitor is not automatically needed with TRT. Excessive estradiol suppression can create problems, including adverse effects on bone health. Mood changes should not automatically be attributed to estrogen. See estradiol monitoring during TRT.

#5. Does TRT Guarantee Large Muscle Gains?

TRT aims to treat hypogonadism with an individualized dose and appropriate monitoring. It may increase lean body mass, but muscle gain and fat loss are not guaranteed. There is no universal maximum prescription dose that separates medical treatment from misuse; formulation, exposure, response and safety matter. Do not adjust treatment to chase bodybuilding results.

Related: TRT & Low Testosterone Treatment in Jupiter, FL

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For evaluation and current program details, contact NovaGenix or call 561-277-8260. The $125 male hormone panel includes physician lab review or consultation. Labs are billed separately from the TRT program; patients can supply results or ask about affordable testing through the physician Labcorp account.

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Explore the evidence behind these questions

• Testosterone therapy and prostate cancer
• TRT and sperm production
• Testicular size changes on TRT
• Testosterone and muscle growth