Key Takeaways
- There are multiple ways to administer TRT, including injections, oral pills, and topical gels and creams. The method that’s right for you will depend on your lifestyle, health status, and personal preferences.
- For those with busy lifestyles who don’t want to administer testosterone daily, injectable TRT offers an evidence-based method for increasing testosterone levels.
- For those looking for non-invasive methods, oral TRT or topical TRT provide testosterone-boosting benefits without the hassle of needles.
For men looking to treat low testosterone, there are many types of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) available.
These range from pills and injections to gels and creams and beyond. But with all this choice, it can be challenging to narrow down the best testosterone therapy for your goals and lifestyle.
Wondering how to choose between types of TRT? Here, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of TRT injections, oral TRT, and topical TRT, so you can find the best testosterone therapy option for you.
Injectable TRT
Testosterone injections are often prescribed as a treatment for men with clinically low testosterone. TRT injections are usually given intramuscularly or under the skin.
They’re typically administered weekly or monthly, but the exact dosing schedule will vary depending on the specific type of injectable TRT that’s prescribed.
The most common formulations use esterified testosterone, which is a modified form of testosterone that stabilizes testosterone metabolism in your body.
Because of the ester, the testosterone is delivered through a more prolonged and sustained release, allowing for more consistent testosterone levels.
Injectable TRT benefits
- Frequency: Injectable TRT is administered less frequently than some other methods. Treatment is usually once a week or sometimes even less frequently.
- Cost effective: Injectable TRT is often more affordable than other forms of TRT.
- Tailored dosing: The liquid form of injectable TRT allows for individualized dosing adjustments, offering flexibility for patients with specific requirements.
Injectable TRT drawbacks
- Testosterone level fluctuations: While effective, injectable testosterone can lead to fluctuations in testosterone levels, which can cause mood swings, fluctuating libido and lowered energy levels for some.
Administration:
- The administration process can be inconvenient or uncomfortable for people who don’t like using needles. There’s also a risk of skin irritation.
Who is injectable TRT a good option for?
Injectable TRT may be a good option for men who are comfortable with periodic injections who are seeking a cost-effective treatment that can raise testosterone levels relatively quickly to improve symptoms.
Injectable TRT is often preferred by patients who don’t want the burden of every day treatment and are comfortable with self-injecting their treatment or willing to see a licensed healthcare provider for their injections.
Oral TRT
Oral testosterone has gained traction in recent years as a user-friendly TRT option. This method of TRT involves taking a capsule orally, usually once or twice a day.
Many older forms of oral TRT carried the potential for serious liver-related side effects. But newer options are absorbed differently, which minimizes liver-related side effects.
Oral TRT offers an alternative for those who prefer not to use injections or topical treatments.
Oral TRT benefits
- Non-invasive: With no needles required, oral TRT pills are simple and easy to take
- Predictable dosing: Oral TRT formulations offer consistent, easy dosing schedules that can be easily integrated into someone’s daily routine.
- No risk of transference: Unlike topical gels or creams, oral testosterone therapy doesn’t carry the risk of accidentally transferring testosterone to others through physical contact.
Oral TRT drawbacks
- Often requires taking with food: Most oral testosterone pills should be taken with a high-fat meal. This helps to optimize absorption and ensure the medication is more effective.
- Side effects: Oral TRT has been associated with side effects including higher blood pressure and nausea.
- Price: Some oral TRT formulations can be more costly than injectable TRT.
- Twice-daily administration: Frequent dosing is typically required (once or twice daily), which can be less convenient for some patients.
Who is oral TRT a good option for?
Oral TRT is well-suited for men who are looking for a convenient form of TRT, dislike needles, and have a schedule that can easily incorporate a quick daily routine to increase testosterone.
Patients with concerns about testosterone transference to partners or children may also prefer this option as well.
Topical TRT gels and creams
Topical TRT typically comes in the form of a testosterone gel or a cream that you apply to your skin. The topical testosterone is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream to help increase or maintain testosterone levels.
Usually applied to clean skin (at the same time each day) with the help of a metered dosing applicator or pump, this form of TRT is convenient and fairly easy to use.
Topical TRT formulations are typically applied daily to the scrotum, upper arms, shoulders, thighs, stomach, or underarms.
Topical TRT benefits
- Non-invasive:Topical gels and creams provide a non-invasive and simple way to deliver testosterone that’s absorbed directly through the skin.
- Stable delivery:Research shows that topical testosterone can help establish more consistent testosterone levels than some other delivery methods.
Topical TRT drawbacks
- Risk of transfer: One of the most significant limitations of topical testosterone is the risk of transference to others, such as partners or children, through skin contact. To mitigate this risk, patients must follow application guidelines carefully and wash hands thoroughly after use.
Who is topical TRT a good option for?
Topical TRT gels and creams are an option for men who prefer a non-invasive testosterone delivery method, are meticulous about their application routine, and prioritize consistent hormone levels.
They’re also a good choice for patients seeking flexibility in dose adjustments and those looking to avoid injections.
Choosing the best testosterone therapy
Selecting the right TRT method depends on individual preferences, lifestyle, medical history, and treatment goals.
It's essential to work with a licensed healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate therapy.
They can tell you more about potential side effects, administration convenience, and how you might respond to treatment.
But ultimately, your TRT type is up to you. Explore TRT types, do your research and fit the best treatment.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article, including, but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other information, is for information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition. You should consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting any health protocol and seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on this site. Maximus does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness, or suitability of any specific test, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers or other information contained herein. Maximus is not responsible for, nor will they bear any liability for, the content provided herein or any actions or outcomes resulting from or related to its use.
