Frequently Asked Questions
Related to men's hormones & well-being
Do I have to cycle off of testosterone?
No. There is no need to cycle off of testosterone when there is a clinical need for it. Testosterone replacement therapy will suppress the body’s testosterone-producing mechanism (HPG axis). Given enough time, some individuals may return to their normal testosterone-producing capacity while others may not.
No. There is no need to cycle off of testosterone when there is a clinical need for it. Testosterone replacement therapy will suppress the body’s testosterone-producing mechanism (HPG axis). Given enough time, some individuals may return to their normal testosterone-producing capacity while others may not.
Will testosterone cause my testicles to shrink?
Over time, males will experience some testicular shrinkage while undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. This is due to the impediment of the HPG axis that regulates testosterone production. The Edge utilizes HCG (human chorion gonadotropin) to maintain the HPG axis. HCG will allow the testicles to continue testosterone manufacture, preventing testicular atrophy while reducing some shrinkage.
Over time, males will experience some testicular shrinkage while undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. This is due to the impediment of the HPG axis that regulates testosterone production. The Edge utilizes HCG (human chorion gonadotropin) to maintain the HPG axis. HCG will allow the testicles to continue testosterone manufacture, preventing testicular atrophy while reducing some shrinkage.
Is testosterone replacement therapy the same as taking steroids?
In short: yes. Testosterone cypionate is classified as an AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroid). The difference between recreational and therapeutic testosterone involves the compounds used and dosage administered. The Edge believes in restoring men to a therapeutic testosterone level. This means restoring men to a therapeutic range of 600-1000 ng/dL. This therapeutic range involves weekly injections ranging between 100-200 mg/week. Individuals taking anabolic steroids for recreational use and gain, i.e., not for the purpose of improving/ maintaining testosterone therapeutically, generally take an amount that can be two, three, four, and even five times more than the recommended dosage.
Please note: the goal of The Edge is to provide a dosage of testosterone that will restore/maintain its patients to therapeutic range. We will not provide the means to “dose” beyond what is considered therapeutic range.
In short: yes. Testosterone cypionate is classified as an AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroid). The difference between recreational and therapeutic testosterone involves the compounds used and dosage administered. The Edge believes in restoring men to a therapeutic testosterone level. This means restoring men to a therapeutic range of 600-1000 ng/dL. This therapeutic range involves weekly injections ranging between 100-200 mg/week. Individuals taking anabolic steroids for recreational use and gain, i.e., not for the purpose of improving/ maintaining testosterone therapeutically, generally take an amount that can be two, three, four, and even five times more than the recommended dosage.
Please note: the goal of The Edge is to provide a dosage of testosterone that will restore/maintain its patients to therapeutic range. We will not provide the means to “dose” beyond what is considered therapeutic range.
What causes a man's testosterone to be low?
Low testosterone is not limited to one cause. Aging, environmental stressors, and injury to the testicles can disrupt testosterone production. As men age, their ability to produce/maintain adequate testosterone levels diminishes. Secretion of hormones that further spur the testosterone-producing capacities of the testicles are affected by this diminished activity.
Environmental stressors can further disrupt production. Preservative-rich food can interfere with this process. Food products containing soy can actually raise estrogen levels. Males with elevated estrogen levels typically have increased belly fat and less lean muscle composition. Furthermore, increased estrogen levels can attribute to erectile dysfunction and loss of sexual interest. Research has even shown that some plastics containing food-products can further disrupt testosterone production; such as BPA - a biochemical utilized in some plastics production.
The stress of life can negatively impact testosterone production. Increased stress is directly related to increased cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone associated with inflammation and immune responses. But elevated cortisol levels over a sustained period of time can hamper testosterone production.
Low testosterone is not limited to one cause. Aging, environmental stressors, and injury to the testicles can disrupt testosterone production. As men age, their ability to produce/maintain adequate testosterone levels diminishes. Secretion of hormones that further spur the testosterone-producing capacities of the testicles are affected by this diminished activity.
Environmental stressors can further disrupt production. Preservative-rich food can interfere with this process. Food products containing soy can actually raise estrogen levels. Males with elevated estrogen levels typically have increased belly fat and less lean muscle composition. Furthermore, increased estrogen levels can attribute to erectile dysfunction and loss of sexual interest. Research has even shown that some plastics containing food-products can further disrupt testosterone production; such as BPA - a biochemical utilized in some plastics production.
The stress of life can negatively impact testosterone production. Increased stress is directly related to increased cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone associated with inflammation and immune responses. But elevated cortisol levels over a sustained period of time can hamper testosterone production.
Are there any long-term side effects associated with testosterone replacement therapy?
The side effects of testosterone replacement therapy are minimal when care is overseen by an experienced physician. The most proactive method for avoiding complications from therapy involve regularly obtained blood panels from routine lab work. Common side effects include increased bodily oil production, acne, and accelerated male pattern baldness from increased DHT production. Some less common side effects are polycythemia (elevated hematocrit) and elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Nominal bumps to hematocrit and PSA are normal during therapy, but in some cases men bump beyond therapeutic ranges (assessed for during blood panels).
The side effects of testosterone replacement therapy are minimal when care is overseen by an experienced physician. The most proactive method for avoiding complications from therapy involve regularly obtained blood panels from routine lab work. Common side effects include increased bodily oil production, acne, and accelerated male pattern baldness from increased DHT production. Some less common side effects are polycythemia (elevated hematocrit) and elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Nominal bumps to hematocrit and PSA are normal during therapy, but in some cases men bump beyond therapeutic ranges (assessed for during blood panels).
Will taking supplemental testosterone make me violent or aggressive?
Researchers have tried to make a correlation between violence and aggressive behavior and elevated testosterone levels. Studies have also shown that normal people, when given high doses of testosterone, do not become more aggressive or violent. The best conclusion that can be surmised is supplemental testosterone - when given to hypogonadal individuals to restore testosterone to therapeutic levels - will not make an individual violent or more aggressive.
Researchers have tried to make a correlation between violence and aggressive behavior and elevated testosterone levels. Studies have also shown that normal people, when given high doses of testosterone, do not become more aggressive or violent. The best conclusion that can be surmised is supplemental testosterone - when given to hypogonadal individuals to restore testosterone to therapeutic levels - will not make an individual violent or more aggressive.
Will testosterone increase my likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke?
No. In fact, evidence proves the exact opposite. Individuals undergoing testosterone replacement therapy have been shown to have a 50% reduction in cardiovascular events. The quick and easy: therapeutic testosterone levels strengthen not only the cardiovascular system, but decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve insulin sensitivity.
No. In fact, evidence proves the exact opposite. Individuals undergoing testosterone replacement therapy have been shown to have a 50% reduction in cardiovascular events. The quick and easy: therapeutic testosterone levels strengthen not only the cardiovascular system, but decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve insulin sensitivity.
Will testosterone replacement therapy cause my penis to shrink?
NO! This is a societal myth and there is no evidence to support it. In fact, testosterone causes an increase in nitric oxide production, which will translate to thicker erections.
NO! This is a societal myth and there is no evidence to support it. In fact, testosterone causes an increase in nitric oxide production, which will translate to thicker erections.
Will testosterone replacement therapy give me more energy?
Energy level and testosterone levels are closely related.
Energy level and testosterone levels are closely related.
Will testosterone replacement therapy give my sex drive a boost?
Testosterone levels are directly related to sexual interest, fuller erections, and better orgasms. Blood panels will determine both testosterone and estrogen levels, as estrogen can play just as vital a role in sexual health as testosterone.
Testosterone levels are directly related to sexual interest, fuller erections, and better orgasms. Blood panels will determine both testosterone and estrogen levels, as estrogen can play just as vital a role in sexual health as testosterone.
Will I lose weight with testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy, coupled with diet and regular exercise, will translate to weight loss. Individuals with therapeutically sustained testosterone levels have decreased belly fat. It’s a fact. Those individuals also show a greater affinity for lean muscle development. Individuals on testosterone replacement therapy will also have better insulin sensitivity, an important key for how our body’s store and utilize energy.
Testosterone replacement therapy, coupled with diet and regular exercise, will translate to weight loss. Individuals with therapeutically sustained testosterone levels have decreased belly fat. It’s a fact. Those individuals also show a greater affinity for lean muscle development. Individuals on testosterone replacement therapy will also have better insulin sensitivity, an important key for how our body’s store and utilize energy.
Will testosterone replacement therapy affect my fertility?
By itself, testosterone supplementation will disrupt the body’s natural testosterone/sperm producing mechanisms. This disruption will result in the cessation of the body’s ability to produce testosterone/sperm. The Edge uses HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) along side testosterone supplementation to maintain the body’s natural testosterone/sperm producing mechanisms. There are also alternative medications available.
By itself, testosterone supplementation will disrupt the body’s natural testosterone/sperm producing mechanisms. This disruption will result in the cessation of the body’s ability to produce testosterone/sperm. The Edge uses HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) along side testosterone supplementation to maintain the body’s natural testosterone/sperm producing mechanisms. There are also alternative medications available.
In what form does The Edge provide supplemental testosterone?
The Edge currently uses testosterone cypionate at a concentration of 200 mg/ml. This is delivered by injection to an intramuscular site, ideally the outer aspect of the thigh or upper, buttock region.
The Edge currently uses testosterone cypionate at a concentration of 200 mg/ml. This is delivered by injection to an intramuscular site, ideally the outer aspect of the thigh or upper, buttock region.
Are testosterone boosters the same thing as taking supplemental testosterone?
Testosterone boosters and supplemental testosterone are nothing alike. In fact, studies show that that testosterone boosters provide little to no benefit for raising testosterone naturally. Currently, the only effective means for treating a hypogonadal individual is by providing supplemental testosterone. You would be wasting your money otherwise.
Testosterone boosters and supplemental testosterone are nothing alike. In fact, studies show that that testosterone boosters provide little to no benefit for raising testosterone naturally. Currently, the only effective means for treating a hypogonadal individual is by providing supplemental testosterone. You would be wasting your money otherwise.
Are testosterone boosters effective?
No. Please refer to the answer provided above.
No. Please refer to the answer provided above.
Will I sleep better on testosterone replacement therapy?
Research has shown a relation between patients with therapeutically sustained testosterone and their ability to better achieve REM sleep. This translates to better nights sleep.
Research has shown a relation between patients with therapeutically sustained testosterone and their ability to better achieve REM sleep. This translates to better nights sleep.
Will testosterone replacement therapy resolve my low testosterone, and do I have to take it indefinitely?
Individuals diagnosed as being “hypogonadal” need to be on testosterone supplementation indefinitely. There is currently no other way to raise a man’s testosterone to therapeutic levels without supplementation.
Individuals diagnosed as being “hypogonadal” need to be on testosterone supplementation indefinitely. There is currently no other way to raise a man’s testosterone to therapeutic levels without supplementation.
What is hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism is the clinical diagnoses given to individuals who are testosterone deficient. It is the diagnoses that The Edge works under to provide testosterone replacement therapy.
Hypogonadism is the clinical diagnoses given to individuals who are testosterone deficient. It is the diagnoses that The Edge works under to provide testosterone replacement therapy.