Myths and Misconceptions about Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone. It’s a subject that most people are at least generally familiar with, yet few seem to know how it actually works. Much of what the average person seems to know, or think they know, stems from societal myths and stigmas. 

Here at The Edge, one of the most important aspects of our clinic is our dedication to giving men correct information backed by science and proven results. We get a lot of questions from guys every day about testosterone and testosterone replacement therapy (or TRT), and many of these questions stem from a lack of solid information.

Today, we’ll be going over some of the common misconceptions and myths surrounding testosterone replacement therapy. 

Testosterone Treatment Misconceptions

Here, we’re going to get into a few of the most frequent misconceptions surrounding testosterone replacement therapy. These misconceptions are statements that may be rooted in some truth, but aren’t completely accurate and don’t paint the entire picture. We’ll start with a very common one.

Only guys with ED or Sex Drive issues need Testosterone Treatment.

This is perhaps the biggest misconception when it comes to testosterone replacement therapy. Granted, TRT can absolutely help with erectile dysfunction and other sexual performance issues. With that being said, treatment isn’t exclusively tied to sexual health.

The fact of the matter is, there are a lot of different signs and symptoms of low testosterone. Issues like fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, sleeping issues, and more can all be indicators that you’re suffering from a testosterone deficiency. These are all common issues that guys deal with, especially as they age.

Unfortunately, the stigma that TRT is strictly for guys with ED results in hundreds of men losing out on its potential benefits. Part of our mission here at The Edge is to not only break that stigma, but also provide clear information backed by science and proven results.

TRT will make me infertile/cause my testicles to shrink.

It is true that TRT by itself will affect your sperm and testosterone production, as well as cause some shrinkage to the testicles. This happens because your naturally-produced testosterone and sperm will be disrupted by replacement therapy. This causes your body to stop producing that sperm and testosterone on its own.

Don’t panic, though. In addition to testosterone replacement therapy, the staff at The Edge will also use some type of LH support which could be low dose Clomid or human chorionic gonadotropin, (also called HCG) during your treatments. Both are designed to help reduce testicular shrinkage and maintain your body’s natural sperm and testosterone production during treatment. Your Clomid would come in the form of a pill that would be split and typically taken every other day.  Your HCG will come in the form of a separate injection during your TRT treatments and requires refrigeration. 

The fact is that, if we were to add testosterone to your body and nothing else, it could lead to problems such as infertility and shrinkage. Treatment at The Edge is all about improving the overall health of our patients, and we wouldn’t sacrifice or jeopardize other aspects of your health just to get your testosterone levels higher. 

I’m going to have long-term side effects.

There’s a misconception out there that testosterone replacement therapy can lead to major health issues down the line. Currently, there is no data to support that TRT alone will put your health at long-term risk.

We’re not going to guarantee that there won’t be side effects from your TRT treatments. Some of the common issues that we see from guys using TRT treatments include things like acne, male-pattern baldness, and increased body oil production. These effects are relatively normal. 

However, recent studies have indicated that TRT is largely considered to be safe and beneficial for most men. As always, it’s important to talk to your primary care provider before beginning any treatments. To sum it up: you may experience some side effects. However, those effects will be minimal as long as an experienced medical professional oversees your treatment. 

Outright Myths About Testosterone Treatments

Now we’re going to dive into some of the information that’s completely false. Though you may have heard this info presented as truth, it isn’t rooted in reality or science at all. Whether you’ve seen these myths in a movie, read them on an internet forum, or heard them from your buddy over at the gym, they’re still just that: myths. Here are some of the most common ones.

TRT will make me violent or give me “roid rage.”

While it is true that testosterone replacement therapy is essentially the same as taking steroids, we can guarantee that you will not get roid rage from working with The Edge. In fact, researchers have not been able to find any link between increased testosterone levels leading to increased violence and aggression. 

So, all of those movies and TV shows you’ve seen where a person takes steroids and instantly goes on a rampage? They’re not accurate. At least not scientifically, anyway. And it’s important to note that many portrayals of steroid use in the media, as well as many anecdotal cases, involve people abusing these treatments for their own personal gain. 

The fact is that your TRT treatments will be overseen by medical professionals. This means that you’ll receive the proper dosage for your specific needs. Your treatment is strictly therapeutic and designed to help with your overall health and wellness. It’s not designed to just pump you full of testosterone and call it a day. So no, you won’t experience any “roid rage.”

My penis will shrink.

This is another myth that you’ve probably heard, whether it’s from someone you know or from some sort of media. We get asked about this a lot, so we’ll just nip it in the bud: your penis isn’t going to shrink, guys.

In fact, not only is there no scientific evidence to support this myth, the opposite is actually closer to being true. Testosterone plays an important role in your body’s natural production of nitric oxide, which is critical for erectile function. When your body has more testosterone, it will produce more nitric oxide, which actually leads to larger erections.

So take comfort in the fact that not only will your penis be fine, it may even look and function better than it previously had. We understand the concern given its prevalence in popular culture, but the widespread belief that testosterone supplements cause penis shrinkage is completely false.

TRT will increase my risk of heart attack or stroke.

As of now, there’s no conclusive evidence to support the notion that TRT alone increases a person’s risk for either condition. Again, it’s quite the opposite. Multiple studies have shown that TRT is mostly beneficial to men, and some have even indicated a decrease in the likelihood of cardiovascular events.

As we said before, you should talk to your primary care physician before beginning any sort of treatment. The people who are generally at risk for adverse effects are those with underlying health conditions. The health and safety of our patients is priority number one, so please make sure you’re qualified for treatment before beginning.

With that being said, putting testosterone into the body at therapeutic levels not only strengthens the cardiovascular system, but also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

What TRT Does Do For You

Finally, we’re going to get into some of the benefits that testosterone replacement therapy can provide. As beneficial as TRT can be, it’s important to note that treatment alone isn’t a cure-all for your issues. A healthy diet and regular exercise help go a long way toward supplementing your treatments and helping you feel your best.

Not only that, but a lot of guys need to remember that other hormones like estrogen are also extremely important for your body. Adding a bunch of testosterone alone won’t actually fix your issues, and may in fact cause more problems. That’s why we back our treatments with science and proven results. Some benefits you can expect to see with TRT include:

Improvements with your sleep

One of the most common issues for people with testosterone deficiencies is trouble falling asleep. This symptom can occur as testosterone deficient people experience fatigue.

Increasing your testosterone with TRT can help you improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, especially when supplemented with other treatments such as sermorelin or other growth hormone-releasing peptides.

Improvement in your sex life

Even though we’ve made it clear that TRT isn’t just for people suffering from ED and sex drive issues, treatment can still very much help you in this area. Increasing your testosterone has been shown to improve both your sex drive and your sexual performance. 

Improvement in your energy levels

TRT isn’t going to lead to you bouncing off the walls or turn you into this endless ball of energy. However, testosterone and energy levels are closely linked. Instead of feeling fatigued by day-to-day life, TRT helps bring your energy back to normal, functioning levels. Again, adding supplements such as peptides to complement your treatment can lead to even better results.

Ready to Give TRT a Try? Contact Us Today!

Now that you know the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy and what it does and does not do for your body, it’s time to take action. If you’re ready to start feeling like your old self again, schedule an in-person or virtual consultation today. Be sure to also check out our special events for deals on your initial lab work and more. 

Remember, getting old isn’t a choice, but feeling old is. Get in touch and take the first step toward getting your Edge back.