Testosterone replacement therapy is a gradual process, with results unfolding over time. While some people may notice some changes in mood and libido within a few days, the full cognitive, physiological, and sexual effects of testosterone replacement therapy will vary by individual, with most occurring over the course of several weeks and months. It takes about 6 weeks on average to start seeing significant and systemic improvements in overall health, with peak results at around 12 months. Tulsa Men’s Clinic is a leader in comprehensive hormone replacement therapies like testosterone replacement. Our team of medical professionals includes renowned hormone experts who have been at the forefront of effective, synergistic solutions like this for decades. While other clinics have been trying to catch up to innovative solutions like testosterone replacement therapy, our board-certified physicians have been perfecting the medical protocols—including advanced testing, lab analysis, and monitoring processes—necessary to deliver the best results possible for every patient.
The timeline of your results—as well as how quickly and dramatically you experience those results—will depend on a variety of factors, including your:
- Individual body
- Dosage
- Age
- Baseline testosterone levels
- Genetics
- Overall health
However, once a steady baseline of testosterone has been established, it will feel like a “switch” has been “flipped,” and you’ll feel more balanced, vibrant, and ready to take on the world. Short-term improvements in energy levels, mood, and sexual function tend to be noticed in the early stages of therapy, within the first few weeks or months. Within 3-6 months, most patients start to experience more medium-term effects, such as improvements in muscle mass and strength, as well as in areas that go beyond their physical health, such as better mental and emotional wellbeing. Long-term effects and sustained benefits are typically felt at around a year; however, a commitment to therapy, regular monitoring, and follow-up assessments are crucial to helping you experience your best results while minimizing potential risks and side effects.
When You’ll See What Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
At Your Initial Consultation
Your testosterone replacement therapy begins with a confidential consultation with a medical provider. At your initial consultation, we’ll evaluate your medical history and lifestyle, discuss your specific concerns, and conduct a physical exam, as well as comprehensive blood testing, a body composition analysis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and a testosterone assessment. Then, you and the provider will develop a customized treatment plan that may include several modalities or methods, including injections, creams, or pellets. At Tulsa Men’s Clinic, we prioritize efficacy, safety, and convenience for all of our testosterone replacement therapy patients and provide both detailed instructions on administration techniques and ongoing support.
Within 3 weeks
You may start to notice an enhanced sex drive as well as improvements in your mood and quality of life. Week 1 tends to produce small improvements in the quality of your sleep, so you have more energy in the morning and are more alert during the day. You may also start to feel a little stronger. Week 2 often sees an improvement in sex drive and erections, including the return of morning erections. This is usually a good opportunity to determine if any ED problems are psychological or physiological. Insulin sensitivity improves, and you’ll also experience small bursts of energy during this week. In Week 3, you’ll begin noticing more cognitive benefits, including improvements in clarity and function as well as the ability to recall and articulate information. You’ll feel sharper and more competent, and you’ll be better able to cope with stress, anxiety, and aggression, all of which will begin to improve your social life and interactions. Your sex drive will also continue to improve and balance.
Within 4 weeks
Blood tests will show improved insulin sensitivity and an improved lipid profile with decreases in triglycerides and total cholesterol, while sexual performance will continue to improve, including an increase in full erections, the result of reduced inflammation, improved blood flow, and an increase in the production of nitric oxide, which is necessary for blood flow to the penis. Around Week 6, there is a complete turn-around in your mood and mental clarity, due in large part to significant decreases in stress and cortisol levels. After 8 weeks, you will see further reduction in negative moods like tension, anger, and fatigue; you’ll have more energy, especially in the morning.
Within 3-6 months
You should start to see an increase in energy and stamina, as well as in your exercise capacity. Blood tests should also start to show better glycemic control and a decline in high blood pressure. In Month 3, working out and being active take less effort and yield quicker, more visible and dramatic results, thanks to better muscle healing and faster recovery. This leads to more substantial changes in body composition, such as increased muscle mass and decreasing body fat, as well as better overall physical strength. You’ll also start to notice more cognitive and emotional changes in your concentration, memory, and emotional stability. Your mental clarity and focus are improving, so it’s easier to stay sharp throughout the day. Month 4 typically produces further increases in endurance, stamina, exercise potential, and performance, and you may no longer be experiencing sleep deprivation. By Month 5, there should be a noticeable decrease in mental problems like sadness, depression, anxiety, and mental fatigue, and you are better able to cope with unpleasant or challenging circumstances. By Month 6, most patients begin to feel like TRT was needed, if they don’t feel like a new person completely.
After 6 months
Your bone mass is increasing and there should be even more significant improvements in your mood, libido, and body composition, including bone density and muscle growth. Your sex life is better because of changes in erections and ejaculations, your PSA levels are higher, and you are experiencing an improvement in overall happiness.
In 9-12 months
Your production of red blood cells peaks around this time. By the 12-month mark, you are beginning to see optimal results and improvements in overall mood and mental health, decision making, and critical thinking. Physiologically, you have begun to observe optimal results, including a decrease in waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting glucose; a change in body fat redistribution and improved muscle mass and strength; and an increase in prostate-specific antigen and volume.
Maintaining the Results from Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy is typically a lifelong solution. If you stop, your body’s natural production will resume, returning to levels similar to what you had before you started. It is not recommended to cycle on and off testosterone replacement therapy. In men with low T, however, longer treatment periods and regular exercise can help improve how well your results last following your testosterone replacement therapy—possibly up to a 10-fold increase in the probability of maintaining your response—and how well you can sustain or maintain them in between treatments. Exercise in particular increases the body’s demand for testosterone in order to support muscle growth and repair, and exercise has been linked to higher levels of testosterone. In addition, cardiovascular and weight training can also help to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat, helping to raise testosterone levels.
Comprehensive Testosterone Replacement Therapy at Tulsa Men’s Clinic
At Tulsa Men’s Clinic, we take a different approach to testosterone replacement therapy, with comprehensive, synergistic solutions that are tailored to your body’s unique needs and designed to deliver optimal results. Our Vitality Blended TRT Therapy addresses the complex and underlying factors associated with Low T and treating multiple areas of hormone deficiency simultaneously, with advanced testing, data analysis, and monitoring and supervision by our experienced, licensed medical professionals. We also integrate additional therapies such as:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to maintain fertility and testicular size
- DHEA hormone supplements
- Omega 3
- Nandrolone Decanoate to enhance the anabolic effects of testosterone—such as muscle growth—while mitigating the androgenic traits like hair loss and acne
Discover the difference testosterone replacement therapy can make in your life and schedule a no-obligation consultation today with Tulsa Men’s Clinic.