TRT: An Evidence-Based Look at the Benefits and Risks

TRT: An Evidence-Based Look at the Benefits and Risks

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has become a widely discussed treatment for men, particularly those with age-related low testosterone. Making an informed decision about your health requires looking at the full picture—understanding both the potential benefits and the risks is key.

Here, we synthesize the findings from multiple clinical studies to give you a clear, evidence-based overview of what the science says about TRT.

The Potential Benefits of Testosterone Therapy

1. Improved Sexual Function One of the most well-documented benefits of TRT is its positive impact on male sexual health. Multiple studies confirm that testosterone therapy can significantly improve sexual desire, erectile function, and overall sexual satisfaction in men with low testosterone levels.

2. Enhanced Physical Performance For many men, maintaining strength and muscle mass is a primary goal, especially as they age. Research indicates that TRT can lead to improvements in muscle mass, strength, and power, particularly in older men.

3. Better Mood and Cognitive Function The effects of low testosterone aren't just physical. Many men experience changes in mood, including depressive symptoms or a general lack of vitality. There is evidence suggesting that TRT can lead to modest but meaningful improvements in mood and a reduction in depressive symptoms.

Understanding the Risks and Side Effects

Like any effective medical treatment, TRT is not without potential risks and requires careful medical supervision and monitoring.

1. Hematological Changes (Blood Count) Testosterone therapy is associated with increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. This can lead to a condition called erythrocytosis (an abnormal increase in red blood cells), which must be monitored by a physician to ensure safety.

2. Prostate Health TRT can cause a modest increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. However, studies have not found a significant link between testosterone therapy and an increased risk of prostate cancer or a worsening of prostate symptoms. This is a critical area that your provider will monitor closely.

3. Cardiovascular Risks The current scientific evidence on cardiovascular risks is inconclusive. Many studies were not designed to adequately assess long-term outcomes like heart attack or stroke, making this a key area for ongoing research and a point of discussion with your doctor.

Conclusion

For men with clinically diagnosed low testosterone, TRT can offer significant, life-changing benefits in sexual function, mood, and physical strength. However, it is a medical treatment that requires a partnership with a qualified provider to manage potential risks and ensure the therapy is both safe and effective.

If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, the first step is a comprehensive evaluation. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with the clinical team at HeroTRT to discuss your health and see if a medically supervised program is right for you.

Click Here to Book Your Free Consultation

 

  • Diem, S., Greer, N., MacDonald, R., McKenzie, L., Dahm, P., Ercan-Fang, N., Estrada, A., Hemmy, L., Rosebush, C., Fink, H., & Wilt, T. (2020). Efficacy and Safety of Testosterone Treatment in Men: An Evidence Report for a Clinical Practice Guideline by the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 172, 105 - 118.
  • Fernández-Balsells, M., Murad, M., Lane, M., Lampropulos, J., Albuquerque, F., Mullan, R., Agrwal, N., Elamin, M., Gallegos-Orozco, J., Wang, A., Erwin, P., Bhasin, S., & Montori, V. (2010). Clinical review 1: Adverse effects of testosterone therapy in adult men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 95 6, 2560-75.
  • Kenny, A., Prestwood, K., Gruman, C., Marcello, K., & Raisz, L. (2001). Effects of transdermal testosterone on bone and muscle in older men with low bioavailable testosterone levels. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 56 5, M266-72.
  • Ponce, O., Spencer‐Bonilla, G., Álvarez-Villalobos, N., Serrano, V., Singh-Ospina, N., Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez, R., Salcido-Montenegro, A., Benkhadra, R., Prokop, L., Bhasin, S., & Brito, J. (2018). The Efficacy and Adverse Events of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Hypogonadal Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103, 1745–1754.
  • Snyder, P., Bhasin, S., Cunningham, G., Matsumoto, A., Stephens-Shields, A., Cauley, J., Gill, T., Barrett-Connor, E., Swerdloff, R., Wang, C., Ensrud, K., Lewis, C., Farrar, J., Cella, D., Rosen, R., Pahor, M., Crandall, J., Molitch, M., Cifelli, D., Dougar, D., Fluharty, L., Resnick, S., Storer, T., Anton, S., Basaria, S., Diem, S., Hou, X., Mohler, E., Parsons, K., Wenger, N., Zeldow, B., Landis, R., & Ellenberg, S. (2016). Effects of Testosterone Treatment in Older Men. The New England journal of medicine, 374 7, 611-24.
  • Storer, T., Basaria, S., Traustadóttir, T., Harman, S., Pencina, K., Li, Z., Travison, T., Miciek, R., Miciek, R., Tsitouras, P., Hally, K., Huang, G., & Bhasin, S. (2016). Effects of Testosterone Supplementation for 3 Years on Muscle Performance and Physical Function in Older Men. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 102, 583–593.
  • Tan, S., Sohrabi, H., Weinborn, M., Tegg, M., Bucks, R., Taddei, K., Carruthers, M., & Martins, R. (2019). Effects of Testosterone Supplementation on Separate Cognitive Domains in Cognitively Healthy Older Men: A Meta-analysis of Current Randomized Clinical Trials. The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
  • Tenover, J. (1992). Effects of testosterone supplementation in the aging male. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 75 4, 1092-8.
  • Wang, C., Nieschlag, E., Swerdloff, R., Behre, H., Hellstrom, W., Gooren, L., Kaufman, J., Jj, L., Lunenfeld, B., Morales, A., Morley, J., Schulman, C., Thompson, I., Weidner, W., & Wu, F. (2008). Investigation, treatment and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males. European Journal of Endocrinology, 159, 507 - 514.
Back to blog