12/10/2026
Thinking about testosterone replacement therapy? Start by finding out whether you actually have a deficiency.
Low libido, fatigue and reduced strength can occur with low testosterone. They can also have other causes. Symptoms alone cannot tell you whether TRT is appropriate.
Testosterone levels can be affected by obesity, certain medicines, illness and conditions involving the te**es or pituitary gland. Poor sleep can also lower a test result. Some causes are treatable without testosterone replacement.
What research suggests:
- 7 to 9 hours of sleep
- Manage chronic stress
- Strength training 3x (or more) per week
- Reduce plastic and chemical exposure where possible
- Reduce ultra-processed food
- Get your levels tested
And “manopause”? Testosterone deficiency in later life is real, but it isn’t an inevitable hormonal switch that every man goes through.
Here’s the part worth understanding before treatment:
- Testosterone supplied through injections or gels can suppress the hormonal signals that tell your te**es to make testosterone and s***m.
- Your blood testosterone can look normal while your own production is suppressed. S***m production can fall substantially, and the te**es may shrink.
- TRT can also cause acne and raise haematocrit, the proportion of your blood made up of red blood cells.
These effects can occur even when treatment keeps testosterone within the normal range.
For men with confirmed deficiency, appropriately prescribed TRT can help. Diagnosis requires compatible symptoms and consistently low testosterone, usually confirmed with two separate morning, fasting blood tests.
Thinking about TRT? Test first, discuss the results with a qualified clinician, and talk about fertility before starting.
Already prescribed TRT? Keep up with your monitoring and discuss any changes with your prescriber.
