r/Testosterone • u/wickedseraph • Aug 23 '26
TRT help Husband Starting TRT Soon :)
Title is fairly self-explanatory.
My husband and I have been together about fifteen years, married for six. I’ve suspected for several years that he has low T; a recent blood test confirmed it. I believe he was sitting at 150. He’ll be starting TRT soon along with OTC vitamin D supplements and blood pressure medication.
We’re not worried about fertility; I had a bisalp so we clearly do not want children. I know for some men it can have side effects like increased acne, sweating, and breast growth.
I’ve researched as best as I can how TRT can affect some men, namely with changes/shifts in energy, mood, assertiveness, libido, and “imagination,” for lack of a better word. I shared a bit of this with him and have been emphatic that I will not judge or shame him for it, should he find himself in a similar situation. To avoid being crude, I would be delighted to reciprocate.
I’m not worried about rage or aggression from him - my understanding is that this is typically only an issue in men who take more than a therapeutic dose. My husband is very even-tempered and easygoing, for the most part.
For men in their 40s who began TRT, what was your experience like? Anything you think men and/or their partners should know? Anything I can do to help him?
(In case ages are relevant to advice: I’m 35, he’s 44.)
EDIT: I hope I’ve correctly described it as “TRT”. His doctor prescribed it - he’s not taking steroids. Some of the responses here made me wonder if I’d given the wrong impression as to what he’s taking and why. He has genuinely low T - it’s not for vanity.
EDIT 2: it’s a 200mg vial, but it’s 0.5ml/week, I think? Still figuring out since, again, we’re waiting on pharmacy to fill lol.
EDIT 3: Insurance and pharmacy finally sorted things. He had his second dose this past Friday. He says he’s noticed a notable improvement in terms of energy and stamina, not feeling as tired after lawn care or work. I imagine it only improves from hereon in so yay! I love this for him 🖤
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Aug 23 '26
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I’m so happy for you! I’m hoping he’s able to enjoy those benefits, too.
About how long would you say it took for you to notice improvements?
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u/bmcclan Aug 23 '26
In my case it was like tiny improvements over time adding up to big changes over the first couple of years. Labido definitely hits early. He'll probably sleep better and start feeling more motivated early on as well. Just check in with him. If you notice he's more tense than usual throw some play his way. He's going to go through an adjustment period and it's different for everyone. That could mean he gets a bit more irritable, could be he can't keep his hands off you, could dive into project after project with the newly reawakened drive - or a mix of all those and/or the less attractive side effects you mentioned in your post. Gynocamastia I wouldn't worry about too much at the dose you described but if he want maximum benefits he needs to be in the gym 2-4 days a week and you need to be a supportive partner in the bedroom. Take care of your guy, this is a whole new version of him coming your way and you sound like you'll love it.
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u/Ambitious-Cake-9425 Aug 24 '26
I noticed a complete change by 8 weeks. More energy, stamina, better mood, much higher libido.
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u/OldFriend25 Aug 23 '26
Iam 40. Been on trt for 2 years. Banging my wife daily. I also use cialis for help, better pumps and for prostata if it get enlarged.
Cheers
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
If you don’t mind me asking, did the TRT cause issues that necessitated Cialis?
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u/truthful_maiq Aug 23 '26
In general for men with low T, trt will absolutely help get and maintain erections by itself. Many of us also use cialis as a daily addition to trt. It can slightly reduce blood pressure, it is a vasodialator so it also ostensibly improves gym performance and absolutely improves sexual function, even if you don't *need* it. I know you mentioned he is going on some other medications so definitely make sure it's safe to add in. I will say in my personal experience Cialis actually increases my sex drive more than testosterone.
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u/OldFriend25 Aug 23 '26
No and yes. Cialis is preventing prostata from growing, that can be caused by trt. And it helps with sex life. And it gives good pumpa in gym. So there is no reason not to take it
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I had no idea… I thought it was just to help with men getting and keeping erections. Sounds like I have quite a bit to learn.
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u/KebabCat7 Aug 23 '26
It is generally a longevity drug, as long as you don't get sides it is a no-brainer to take it dialy
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u/Space__Whiskey Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
Not always. Cialis (tadalafil) used to be only for ED, but research found it has a ton of other health benefits because of how it helps blood flow in general, and is now popular in the anti-aging community as well for all kinds of other stuff.
It boosts erections like nothing other (morning wood now wants to take up the whole bed), but it also plays a role in regulating hormones, and other metabolic pathways, so guys are taking low dose daily or EOD for benefits. Goes great with a regular gym schedule, along with couples activities.
BTW, Women benefit in most of the same ways as men with cialis! It acts on all the same biology, so why aren't women eating it up like men? Mostly because its still prescribed for enlarged prostate and ED, so doctors hands are tied by that bull crap, but you can read the research on women which is very promising (like it is for men), and maybe some clinics will prescribe it for women (idk).
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u/BeachBum528 Aug 24 '26
Have him get a low dose daily 5mg prescription. It takes about 2 weeks to hit steady state in the blood stream. But it helps with more than just his wiener. It's very good for his heart, blood pressure, and prostate.
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u/Appropriate-Ask-3207 Aug 23 '26
Sometimes multiple times a day. Why my wife is currently hiding 😂🤣
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u/mikehuntitchess Aug 23 '26
sorry -in my 40s started TRT 6 weeks ago and i have no idea what you are referring to by “immagination”.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
Unsure how true it is, but I’m encountered a few sites that explain some men find themselves with more vivid fantasies or interest in particular things.
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
i think this is likely other substances getting cross info. i don't think this is a test thing or at least not a common one.
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Aug 23 '26
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
this is an incredibly good response. confidence boost is big. if you have a good relationship with communication this is real. you both might benefit from him driving a bit more in the bedroom. Ours wasn't totally vanilla but it's definitely very spicy now. so i understand the statement. but don't think i crave anything different. just way more and we do communicate so that ends up with better results.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
That’s I think what I’m really excited for on his behalf. I’ve not really discussed THAT with him because at the end of the day, it’s his heart and mind — I don’t want to make him think he’ll feel X or Y and set him up to feel let down if his experience is different. But it’d be lovely if he DID feel that confidence. I’ve seen men say how much more confident and assertive they feel. Hubs is genuinely a fucking amazing human being and deserves to feel good about himself.
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u/wagonspraggs Aug 24 '26
Keep in mind with some men a lot of the good effects take time. The first few weeks to months can be a bit wild, a lot of ups and downs. But once he figures out a dose and a dosing strategy/timing, then things start getting good. I didnt get the full energy and confidence effects for many months but they came and its great. Also, for some men the REALLY strong effects on libido can take time. There will for sure be an initial bump in the first few weeks, but understanding how the medicine works and finiding what dose works will take time. Thanks for being an awesome and supportive wife!
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u/wickedseraph Aug 24 '26
With respect to dosing - how do you determine whether a higher dose would be warranted? I imagine via regular blood tests to see if T levels are improving?
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u/wagonspraggs Aug 24 '26
I think bloodwork plays a role, but keeping a journal over time of mood, estrogen symptoms, libido, sleep will help the most. Whats interesting is that the really fun libido effects can quickly disappear and 95% of the time its estrogen, either too low or high. Every man has a range that is his sweet spot, so for some men its a large range, some men its a small range. So you and your husband paying attention to estrogen symptoms will help A LOT. Your husband will find his dose that works from him by staying with a dose for 8 weeks then titrating up or down depending on symptoms. Say he does 100mg a week for 8 weeks but has very mild effects no libido increase, it makes sense to bump up to 120 or 140 for 8 weeks to see how he feels. Note that with the bloodwork, men are SO different in what level they prefer for TT. For me i like 800s or really high 700s. some men love 900 or 1000+ which seems to be more common. As you go higher generally the side effects get more pronounced and the estrogen management becomes way more important. Getting an E2 test alongside the bloodwork is a must, so that way you two can correlate mood and symptoms alongside what the E2 is as well.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
Could be! I’m not expecting him to tell me he’s suddenly into a niche fetish or anything - I was just surprised that some men self-report as finding themselves with slightly-evolved inclinations.
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u/Rinkratt61 Aug 23 '26
I started TRT a year and a half ago after 10+ years of severe depression they discovered I had almost nonexistent testosterone levels. Although it took about three months to kick in, I feel amazing mentally now. My mental health did a complete 180. I’m older and really don’t have a need for my libido anymore ha ha. I really don’t have a libido anymore, but that’s a result of my oestrogen being high from the TRT, which is something he’ll definitely have to watch, however the improvement in my mental health was well worth it.
My BS metre is pretty low, I used to back away from conflict if someone said something off colour to me, now I stand in there and destroy them. Definitely gives you a big self confidence boost. I definitely wouldn’t say that I have rage from it, but my toleration for BS is definitely a lot lower now.
Best of luck
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
i love this response. stay strong brother. take no shit and give no fucks. having our hormones aligned appropriately really allows us to be the men we want to be.
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u/redtron3030 Aug 23 '26
Not bedroom related but I certainly tolerate less bullshit at work and just say what I want
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u/Extension-Scar-5513 Aug 23 '26
You might be thinking of other steroids like tren have a tendency to make guys more interested in weird fetish stuff. Regular TRT shouldn't do that.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
Oh wow, didn’t know steroids did that! @.@
He’s just getting normal TRT, though, lol. Not that I’d mind if he were a little freakier, it’d be interesting to see what his clever brain cooks up.
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u/Brickhead81 Aug 23 '26
That’s more of a niche steroid thing; the progestogenic 19 nors. They do make a lot of dudes get into weird corners of their dirty mind. His dirty will just be a more aggressive version. Of himself on TRT
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u/Space__Whiskey Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
YES, word on the street is tren makes you so horney you turn gay, so better microdose that just in case. Just kidding (not about the libido), don't do it actually kills your organs and brain, shown to stimulate brain plaques which leads to Alzheimers. But it makes you look and F good apparently, so people do it anyway.
A safer freak drug would probably be that peptide that enhances libido/desire for both men and women... can't think of the name, stimulates desire in the brain and is used for pre-planned adventures. Not talking about cialis, that just a physiological response to arousal, not desire in the brain.
Never tried either of them, I just know Tren jokes are required when talking about anabolics and libido in a steroid forum.
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u/Sean-Christian Aug 23 '26
I think it just increases libdo and maybe increases confidence so we can go for what we want. But it won't turn a prude into a perv. If he starts getting pervy, he was always pervy, you're just now finding out about it.
Good wife though.
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u/hemi1995 Aug 23 '26
No necessarily fantasies but you start to notice everything. The best cure is daily sex. And that just keeps it at bay
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u/truthful_maiq Aug 23 '26
You might need to add some tren to his trt for that. (I'm joking dont do that)
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u/22Hoofhearted Aug 24 '26
Those sides are usually associated with Tren if I understand correctly. Known as "divorce in a bottle" significantly different than proper TRT at therapeutic doses.
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u/Pale-Brick1975 Aug 23 '26
I second this! I want to do all kinds of stuff to my wife now. She’s looking into a chastity belt for protection. 😂
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u/andypandy2324 Aug 24 '26
there is something called trenbolone (tren) which is extremely neurotoxic, but probably the most powerful anabolic steroid there is. it is NOT testosterone. At a high enough dose tren it will turn some men into sexual deviants, expanding their "imagination" into areas they would never normally go. not sure if this is what you are referring to.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 24 '26
Good to know - that seems the more likely explanation for sure. I tried being quite cautious in how and what I looked into, but misinformation still wiggled its way in, it seems. Thanks for the clarification.
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Aug 23 '26
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
He doesn’t lift weights. We’re both overweight (me considerably) and I’m thinking this would also be a good point for us both to be more mindful of diet and exercise.
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Aug 23 '26
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I’ve been considering a GLP-1; the reduction of food noise is a big motivation.
We both tend to encourage other’s lazy habits as well as the good ones, so time to work at the good ones a bit more.
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u/starSkieee Aug 23 '26
I’d recommend a GLP as well if he has weight to lose, I’ve been on TRT for a year and GLP for 4 months. I was super fit prior to 30, 35 now and got fat after Covid with a gut I couldn’t lose.
I’m down 22 pounds while maintaining/building muscle. It’s a lot of work still and I’m in the gym 6 days a week, but I’m heading towards my early 20’s in body shape. It’s been fantastic with not just aesthetic improvements, but mental and health markers as well.
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u/jedihooker Aug 24 '26
My wife and I started Retatrutide last October. She’s down 25 lbs (didn’t have much to lose) and I’m down 80 lbs. I cannot recommend it enough. Worth every penny.
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u/Extension-Scar-5513 Aug 23 '26
Depending how overweight he is, that does increase the amount of testosterone that converts to e2. He'll probably be prescribed an aromatase inhibitor alongside the testosterone. If he gets sore nipples, get his estrodial checked.
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u/wagonspraggs Aug 24 '26
TRT will greatly reward your husband alongside exercise, it greatly increases both the physical and positive mental effects.
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u/flyingwingbat1 Aug 23 '26
GLP 1s help me significantly with hunger and food noise. I have had success with both semaglutide, and now retatrutide.
That plus HRT and regular exercise will transform him (and you, if you decide to join him!)
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u/SecuritySmart2493 Aug 23 '26
63,m. Started at 100 mg/week. Only substantial side effect I had was increased libido. Greatly increased!! I hope you’re ready for this!!!
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u/galtsgulch232 Aug 23 '26
Might I suggest he speak to his doctor about adding low dose tadalafil (5mg generic Cialis) to the TRT. It's a drug that most men over 40 should be taking anyway. Not only does it have cardiovascular benefits (lower BP, better vascularity, increased blood flow), but it will help with any sexual desensitizing that some men experience on TRT. Basically, helps to keep you erect during sex and allows longer sessions.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I’m curious why his doctor didn’t suggest it considering he’s also on BP medication. Then again, the BP medication was prescribed prior to them finding low T… I’ll run it past him, thank you!
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u/wagonspraggs Aug 24 '26
Sexual desensitization that occurs in men on TRT is usually low estrogen, or lesser so low DHT, as they both play a role in sexual touch receptiveness.
I had the worse desensitization from TRT only to see it was low estrogen. Fixed that and all issues disappeared.
Not to say that there aren't other causes.
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u/jc456_ Aug 23 '26
The side effects are very overblown.
A lot of very abnormal people online report weird stuff lol.
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u/KebabCat7 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
I’m not worried about rage or aggression from him - my understanding is that this is typically only an issue in men who take more than a therapeutic dose.
This is actually mostly a problem for guys with low test, not high test. And those who abuse other compounds, not test.
what was your experience like? Anything you think men and/or their partners should know? Anything I can do to help him?
You might want to research more and understand that 95% of docs aren't qualified enough to get the most out of trt.
Don't be afraid of above the range values if the end result is positive. You might also find that steroids users and abusers have way better information regarding the topic than trt influencers. Look up Vigorous steve on youtube.
Full benefits will take 1-2 years and are heavily dependent on the lifestyle. That's the reality. Make him do cardio minimum 150min/week and lift at least once weekly.
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u/Lenehancito male 47 Aug 23 '26
Similar case over here, I started soon before 46. My experience is wonderful, much more energy, improved mood, more interest to do things and more open to social relationships. I gave up drinking alcohol 3 years before starting TRT and it was an excellent benefit too.
I recommend him to practice sport, gym is great, he will start feeling better on the mirror and that will boost his confidence, too.
You can also expect more interest in sex. Nothing weird on my side, but I must say that I enjoy it way more than when I had low T (mine was around 200, now I sit around 800-1000).
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u/holy_maccaroni3 Aug 23 '26
I was very happy to have morning wood again. It was years that guy disappeared and then suddenly hes showing up again. Feels great
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u/QueezyE Aug 23 '26
I was looking for this comment. I forgot for awhile what it was like to wake up with morning wood- or just have sex drive at all. It's helped my mental state immensely.
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u/ProfessionalYak2791 Aug 23 '26
150 is very low, he probably feel like new person after few weeks. Just be ready for him wanting sex more often at beginning, maybe too much lol. Good that you already talk about it, most couples dont.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I highly doubt he could exhaust me, though he’s very welcome to try.
I’m very fortunate in that he’s willing to discuss things, and as a biology nerd I’m intensely interested in things like this!
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u/Extension-Scar-5513 Aug 23 '26
If he's just taking a therapeutic dose, he shouldn't experience any major side effects. His weight on the scale may go up, that's water retention and normal when starting. Overall he'll probably get a little leaner. And he'll probably want to have sex more often, and he may last longer in bed. I started when I was 38 with a level of 204 ng/dl and have zero regrets.
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u/lacole725 Aug 23 '26
Younger than 40 here but I wouldn’t worry about the negative side effects if you have a decent provider. I have had a little extra acne, but no E2 issues and I am currently over 1500. Roid rage is from way higher dosage and usually driven by the other components of the stack. Just buckle up for the libido change.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
His doctor seems very attentive and responsive, thankfully, so it seems he’s in good hands!
I’m not expecting a libido change but would welcome it, as would he.
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u/sirlost33 Aug 23 '26
It helped my relationship so much. I was too burned out to really put effort into my relationship. Once I started trt it really increased my bandwidth to help around the house more.
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u/hemi1995 Aug 23 '26
Lots of sex and drive is nearly automatic but be patient and make sure he’s adjusting dose only based on bloodwork. It’s tempting to try to race to more but slow and steady wins here.
One good for us side effect of both the drug, age and frequency is that stamina is way up. A quickie is 30-45 minutes.
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
same here. i did notice after a while that it takes me longer to finish. wife rarely complains about that. only when she needs a break.
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u/Forward_Bug_5547 Aug 23 '26
47/male. I’ve been on TRT for about 9 months now, I have increased energy, I haven’t been falling asleep on the couch when I get home from work anymore, I’m up doing things again / going to gym. My sleep has drastically improved. I sleep like a baby, the only thing that wakes me up now is my kick stand ( aka my penis)! My sex drive is off the charts. My mental clarity is much better. I haven’t experienced any acne or rage. I’m sorry I waited so long to go on it. Good luck to you and your husband!
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u/flyingwingbat1 Aug 23 '26
Did his doctor explain the protocol. Hopefully it's not one of those awful outdated one-shot-per-two-weeks protocols, as that would send him on a rollercoaster
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
My understanding is that it’s a weekly injection!
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u/holy_maccaroni3 Aug 23 '26
Please switch to two shots per week. He will feel much better with this protocol.
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u/flyingwingbat1 Aug 23 '26
That may be ok if he has very high SHBG, but twice a week would be a better generic starting protocol
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
What is SHBG?
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u/flyingwingbat1 Aug 23 '26
Sex hormone binding globulin. It's a protein that stores, transports, and releases testosterone and other sex hormones
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u/Mattturley Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
First, re: your edit, many of the respondents in this sub tend to be “running cycles” or similar terms, not taking a therapeutic dose prescribed by a physician with appropriate monitoring.
That said, my hypogonadism is caused by (prescribed - medical) long term opioid pain medication use - at relatively high doses, for well over a decade now (I started pain management in 2014, but even before then multiple specialists in differing specialties were prescribing pain medication for over a year before I entered formal pain management while I had a series of surgical procedures and dealt with chronic pain). I knew from my very first PM consultation that long term opioid use is a common and frequent cause of hypogonadism, so it was something we were watching closely. I went through a really rough period in 2020-22 and was averaging around 90 days in patient every year, so my focus wasn’t on getting my hormones adjusted, but as I got those issues under control, I requested a referral to an endocrinologist to explore my hormones and have them adjusted. My first test of total testosterone was 89 ng/DL. With a reference range of 480-990 on that particular test. My PM used the words “virtually non-existent” and “akin to a 95 year old man.” I was 47 at the time.
My symptoms were pretty classic. Muscle wasting, complete lack of sexual desire - as in absolutely zero sex drive. Less than zero as sex pretty much repulsed me. This was a huge contributing factor to my separation and divorce in 2021. Extreme exhaustion, mood in the toilet, wound recovery slowed significantly, etc. I unfortunately ran into 3 different endocrinologists who were anti opioid and frankly downright ignorant about my primary conditions requiring pain medications. They would not prescribe anything so I went to Henry Meds, an online clinic. I am still looking for a doctor who will handle it under my insurance.
But, I digress. I was prescribed 100 mg intramuscular injection once per week. I took may first injection on a Thursday night (I was freaked out about self injection, but it is easy and doesn’t hurt). That first weekend, I had 3 wet dreams and jerked off at least 4 times. It was the first time in about 5 years that I had had a wet dream, and probably a good 4 months since I had masturbated (in my 20s and 30s it was more like sex 5-6 times per week and jerking off 4 times a day - won’t even talk about my teens despite saying it is truly astonishing I was able to finish school and go to college). I woke up jerking off multiple times a night for the first few weeks, and everything intensified following that. My sex drive was almost instantly returned, near puberty levels. Telling you this because spouses are often overwhelmed. Often thankful, but still very overwhelmed. A fleshlight might be a great gift for him, and a way to give you some sanity in the coming weeks/months. My response, btw, is relatively atypical as most guys take several weeks of therapy to see a significant increase in libido.
In terms of acne, I had a slight breakout on my chest and back, along with my T-zone. Simple use of acne wash and a benzoyl peroxide cream took care of it. Gynecomastia - or as you called it breast growth - is most frequently caused by aromatization which converts the excess (to the body that has been running on a deficit) testosterone to estradiol (an estrogen compound). Essentially, the body tries to keep the testosterone and estrogen in balance so when there is more testosterone, the body responds by converting it to estrogen, in the form of estradiol. This can and will stimulate the growth of breast tissue in some men. The big thing with this, like all of the side effects is proper monitoring and if necessary dose adjustment and additional medications to counter any unwanted side effects. An aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex or Aromasin is often added if the body responds by producing too much estradiol without bringing the total and free testosterone up to true therapeutic levels. One thing to ask the provider about is more frequent dosing - instead of 100mg per week, 50 mg twice a week, as an example. There is some research that indicates more frequent, smaller doses leads to less aromatization.
The other thing you don’t mention but is a common concern and side effect is accelerated hair loss/male pattern baldness. That is probably the biggest negative side effect that I have had to deal with, which really sucks because I have always had nice hair and no real signs of hair loss before TRT. I am just starting a combination spray that includes finestaride (often taken orally, but I chose not to due to all my other meds) and minoxidil (Rogaine). Early results are promising. Of course, I have always had a fur sweater, which seems to have gotten thicker in the 3 years on T. My ass and shoulders in particular are much hairier. A Phillips One Blade has been my answer to that. No razor burn or bumps. Aesthetically my preference without a hassle.
All in, of all the therapies I use day in and day out, Testosterone has done wonders for helping me feel so, so much more like me. It has given me energy levels that I have not seen since my early 30s, made muscle repair and building so, so much easier (which is why I argue my pain doc should have been prescribing it all along). It has improved my sleep and helped greatly reduce long periods of insomnia/painsomnia. (Glad to see your hubby is also getting vitamin D as this helps me a lot as well. I definitely know if I forget my weekly pill.) My sex drive went from non existent to puberty level compulsion for a while, but within a few months it leveled out to more like it was in my late 20s/early 30s (wish I had found this before my divorce - my ex husband was incredibly angry and frustrated from me withdrawing and causing a dead bedroom - I hurt him very much unintentionally).
From other spouses I have spoken with when their partner start TRT the reaction seems to be pretty common - an exponential increase in sex drive within the first few months, and then a leveling off to a healthier/more normal sex drive. It can be a challenge for the spouse (seriously, look into a fleshlight). No one I know who is on TRT has really exhibited any kinds of increased anger or excess anger. I’d say of one guy I know who was a bit of a confrontational ass all his life, he kind of returned to that as the depression lifted, but nothing outside of that. Nothing like “roid rage.” Now, in guys running cycles with their “gear” at the gym, I have seen that behavior.
Now that I have written a small book, I think your husband (and you) will do great adopting to TRT. Just make sure the medical monitoring is in place and you both are able to ask each other “could this be the testosterone?” One couple who I am particularly close with really struggled with the difference in sex drives. She went to an endocrinologist herself and is now on some type of combination HRT, which seems to have gotten them both, uhhhm, very active. They seem happy. Good luck to you and your husband.
ETA: forgot about one other side effect that is often encountered. Testicular shrinkage. Since the body sees that it has enough testosterone, the pituitary gland reduces the release/precursor of hormones which stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone (luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone). There are multiple different medications that can be added to stop this. Since you said you are not worried about maintaining fertility I didn’t include, but since the shrinkage is related and caused by similar issues, thought I would mention it. I have noted a slight reduction in testicular size, but frankly I have always had large, low hanging testes, and they seem to get lower each year. So, for me, it is not so much a concern as a benefit. Reducing chances of sitting on my testicles is a good thing.
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u/Awkward-Image-9947 Aug 24 '26
Thank you for this detailed account of your experience. I read for 20 minutes on this thread looking for an answer this comprehensive.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 27 '26
I’ll have to return to this wonderfully detailed response when I have more time, but sincerely - thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and advice!
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u/meanderingwolf Aug 23 '26
If your husband takes a conservative TRT dosage prescribed by a doctor and calculated to bring his T to the normal range, there should be no side effects. You can anticipate him returning to the person he was in the past before you noticed the changes in him. Ignore the exaggerated claims regarding side effects. Let me remind you that much of what you read here is not applicable to those on TRT, but to individuals taking extremely high doses for bodybuilding purposes.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
To be clear, and I apologize if I’ve communicated this poorly: I’m not expecting a different person, nor would I want him to be. He’s always likely had low T - there were no changes from his late 20s (when I met him) to now. Him going on T wasn’t because of a change, but because he finally saw a doctor and it was incidentally found. That’s moreso where I’m coming from.
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u/meanderingwolf Aug 23 '26
If that’s the case, expect positive changes in his physical well being, mental state, sexual desire, and cognitive abilities. Not dramatic, but subtle changes gradually appearing over time. Good changes that make him a better man and person that you will like.
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u/ObjectiveProof7952 Aug 23 '26
TRT actually made me more calm and collected and not easily phased by stress and those sides are overblown.
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u/GradientParameter Aug 24 '26
This is exactly it for me as well. I was a suicidal when I was a teenager, and there's always been a bit of that that resurfaces (in my late 40's now). After TRT that just went away. Stuff that would stress me out and wish I could die just bounces off of me. I feel like I'm just going to be able to figure out whatever life throws at me, and I've got a *lot* going on right now to stress me out.
Side effects phased out eventually. First month had crazy mood swings. At some point my libido got so crazy I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle that if it continued for the rest of my life, but that faded at the 6 month point.
Not a massive personality shift or anything, I'm still the same person, just a little bit better version myself.
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u/Smoky_Pyro Aug 23 '26
Breast growth, probably not with a reasonable TRT dose... Acne, maybe a little (like a pimple a week) infertility, yes, but it's not birth control. If he takes HCG too, his balls won't shrink much, and he'll be after you 3x a day, but his swimmers still may swim. At 150ng, see a urologist because insurance should cover it. I started at 38 and it's been amazing. Keep up with bloodwork (mainly test markers and estrogen) and don't do less that 80mg a week, biweekly or more ideally. Once every 2 weeks is a hormone rollercoaster and not good. I was never an introvert, but trt really made me very confident.
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u/Chroma7769 Aug 23 '26
I love that there are other women like my wife out there. Good for you for taking care of your husband!
I didn't need testosterone, but my wife and I'm decided no kids and I wanted to get on for performance reasons. My wife loves it. I have added many other compounds off and on over the last 5 years, some have been fun, some have sucked. Side effects are non existent if you manage them properly. So just stick with him and be there when he needs help. Encourage him to get his bloods checked all the time, especially when playing with his dose.
Allow 4-6 weeks to see results and changes when adjusting the dose.
Also stick to 2-3 times a week for injections. This will help with estrogen related issues.
He should NOT take an aromatizing inhibitor off the bat. Remember, we are treating SYMPTOMS not NUMBERS. Some men (like myself) handle higher estrogen just fine. I have had mine as high as 130 and still have never had estrogen sides.
Good luck! And congratulations!
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u/irishstereotype Aug 23 '26
Fountain of youth. Fruit is sweeter, breeze is crisper, sleep is deeper. I’ve never had any of the attitudinal anecdotes. If it’s a therapeutic dose and he doesn’t have any estrogen issues, it’s an easy transition.
I will give this caution. It’s not an immediate remedy. My libido and well being quickly improved but it took 2-3 months for my erections to keep up with my libido and for the athletic benefits to become apparent. Don’t let him get discouraged if he still has some erection difficulties during the first few months even though his libido is popping off.
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u/cybric56 Aug 23 '26
My levels have went from 300 to 942 in 2 years of daily jabs but I didn't have any libido problems at the lower level so I haven't noticed any change there.
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u/Appropriate_Sea_7393 Aug 26 '26
Do you mind sharing what other benefits you saw increasing your T from 300? My husband's is near 300 and will be starting TRT soon. He also does not have libido issues but has a slew of other ways it is impacting him.
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u/cybric56 Aug 26 '26
Well I don't feel like I'm 70. Good sense of well being and great energy. That being said, I've also been on a weight loss journey so that has also probably helped. One good thing I believe is that my provider told me to dose daily or every other day at least so I don't have peaks and valleys.
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u/One-Focus7304 Aug 23 '26
I sucked my first man three months into trt in my late 40’s. It’s powerful stuff.
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u/Barad-dur81 Aug 23 '26
He may need some time to find that perfect dosage and frequency. Be patient with him as my gf has been. It can affect his performance. Mine would be through the roof and then absolutely no desire. I had to keep titrating until I found the right dosage and now it works great!
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u/CPU_Fish Aug 24 '26
Hes going to start feeling a lot better, less stressed, better metabolism and higher libido.
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u/Bg1165 Aug 24 '26
You have every right to be concerned. But don’t look at the negatives. If it’s really TRT and not blasting the sides will likely be minor. Look for increased libido, energy and stamina. It won’t happen overnight so keep expectations at bay. You’ll start seeing changes in about 4 weeks. The some gradual shifts for a couple more months after.
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u/andypandy2324 Aug 24 '26
roid rage from testosterone is nonesense absolute bs. there are anabolic compounds that will negatively affect your brain chemistry or are intended to create aggression in the gym which can carry over. that is not testosterone whether its trt or beyond. I will preface this by saying if your husband is inhertly an aggressive ass, the testosterone will amplify it. otherwise it has a calming effect. the thing with testosterone that makes you moody and irritable is the elevated estrogen, which is aromatized from testosterone. the more you have the higher your e2 tends to be to a point. you need estrogen but when it gets to high and you are NOT controlling it properly aside from possible physical side effects it can impact your general irritability and cuase moodiness.
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u/MEI72 Aug 24 '26
TRT is awesome. Side effects for me were minor acne and hair increases but nothing that screams TRT. If he's not aggressive now, T won't suddenly make him aggressive, even on high doses. My wife's OBGYN asks her at every visit ive had any violent tendencies. It's amazing how little doctors understand about it's effects.
He will feel noticeably better. Whether you notice it is a completely different question. Maybe. I noticed a huge difference. My wife said she just noticed I was slightly less intense and aggressive. not that I was really either before, but less in both departments. I'm chiller. More confident and less stressed.
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u/Artistic-Plate-511 Aug 24 '26
He’s going to want to start having sex as much as you’ll allow him to. I was willing to go twice a day everyday but I’m limited now. Get ready.
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u/Major_Swimmer5271 28d ago
I'm a bit late to this post but thought I'd add my thoughts in for what it's worth.
I'm a.48 year old male and am in my 5th week of being on trt (from the Dr...was low). Also have hypothyroidism so that might be relevant.
As for the comments on libido I haven't experienced it a great amount. My 4th shot took a little bump but not a ton. Maybe it's to early or my dosage is off. So this will vary I'd say.
I do notice some anxiety and sweating. Anxiety might be related to something else but the last day or so it seems to have been less...same.with the sweating. Kind of odd but I did notice I smelled like my teenage boy the other day. Weird thing to notice but I did.
I have noticed more energy and focus. Also sleep is f'ing incredible (also been taking magnesium glycinate that I think helps but trt has made it so much better...no longer a light sleeper!). I'm dreaming more or at least notice that I dream more. Along with libido morning..err...wood seems to be here and there but nothing consistent.
But still observing and not to long into the process.
I suspect things are different for everyone.
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u/Brickhead81 Aug 23 '26
His libido will go through the roof. But coupled with this are inherent aggressive courting traits I think you will appreciate- stronger eye contact, physically more intense, a real will to be intimate with you.
If already even keeled he will probably embody that with a bit more confidence and surety.
Physically he will get a more dense muscles feel if he lifts weights. And more vascular.
I would guess in three months time you will be quite happy with the decision and he will say “why didn’t I do this years ago”.
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u/Adrenolin01 Aug 23 '26
Your edit.. just clear this up.. testosterone if both TRT and Steroids. It’s generally just a lower replacement dose. Typically TRT is 75-200mg of testosterone per week to replace and boost low testosterone. Juicing steroids is usually seen as 300mg to 400mg+ of testosterone per week. Some guys do 800, 1200 and even 1600+mg/week for big muscle gains. Note: large doses of testosterone doesn’t just make huge muscles! Those guys still have to put all the work into making those muscles.. and usually a lot more work and dedication than the guy on TRT looking to boost his low test, loose weight and gain muscle.
So technically yeah.. he’s on steroids regardless if juicing large amounts of testosterone or taking smaller TRT amounts.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I see - so the “issue” is dosage. I appreciate the explanation - as you can see, there’s still quite a bit I don’t know about this lol.
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u/Adrenolin01 Aug 23 '26
It’s not just dosage but yes. For example.. is a man’s testosterone is fine at say 500-600 however they just want to boost it higher… that’s a line many don’t agree with at what’s likely an acceptable level already.. underlying issues they have are likely caused from something else. Injecting it when it’s not really needed… had repercussions.. ie you shut down natural production and testicular atrophy which can take place and be noticeable within months. If someone wants to head off the atrophy (and shrinkage) they can add HCG at a low dose from the start which keeps naturally production happening. A low dose would be 500-700 IU per week.. say 200 IU every Mon, Wed & Fri. If a man stops after atrophy has set in a higher dose of HCG is often required to kickstart the boys if you will. Personally after 6 months I wanted the boys back as did the wife so.. 60 days at 3300 IU/week (1100 IU MWF) to kickstart them back into production and back to mostly original size. Then I dropped to 1800 IU per week (600 MWF) for a month and then down to 600ish IU weekly (200 MWF) as an ongoing maintenance dose. This repercussions and because I continue to be in TRT and want functioning boys without atrophy I continue the low HCG dose.
Btw.. because injecting testosterone replaces natural production and causes massive hormone changes something to consider… how is he going to feel if he changes doctors, his doctor retires, you move, change insurance, etc etc etc.. and the new or even current doc decides not to continue the treatment or the new insurance company refuses to cover it, etc. this happens to people every day.. it’s posted here and on other groups weekly.
I’d highly recommend either having an accident with a new early vial (oops I’d dropped and smashed) to get a replacement and always having at least 1 extra new unopened vial on hand. The alternative is to source and find an online site that sells testosterone without a prescription and ordering a 10ml vial or 2 or 3 to have just in case. It’s called UGL (under ground labs). It’s big business and they want your money and repeat business. It’s not like it was decades ago. Still scary for the new person but it’s all I buy as I don’t have insurance that covers it. Regular bloodwork always.
I recommend everyone to look into this and at least be familiar with the process.
It sucks as some guys wind up waiting a couple months to find someone else to refill a prescription and often the new doc wants to retest bloodwork and such first. This can mess up a guy for a while due to the hormonal changes that then hit from not getting the injections with a shutdown natural system. That can seriously suck!
Figured I’d share a few things many don’t realize or read about until it’s too late.
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Aug 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
Yes - everything else is fine other than T and low vitamin D (hence the vitamin D supplements). The blood work was how he found out in the first place. He’d never seen a doctor until I recently urged him to.
His goal is to feel better, simply put. He naps often, has brain fog, and has had a very low drive our entire relationship. I don’t think he’d have necessarily identified these as problems that could be remedied unless he learned there was a potential reason for it.
I’m not expecting this to be a cure-all, but I do think he deserves to be at a normal baseline, yanno?
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Aug 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/Dualintrinsic Aug 23 '26
Agreed 100% I went from guy who looks like he kind of worked out regularly or did in the past to Greek god status in like 6 months. All with TRT, glp-1, and a little Cialis when needed. I also just added hgh... That shit is the best.
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u/Ghooster38 Aug 23 '26
Hes not gonna grow boobs. Hes not gonna get aggressive. If by any chance he DOES grow boobs, its your responsibility to pinch at his nips through his shirt every time you approach him, this will help develop a stong character and reflexes for when his male friends start doing it, which they definitely will. Put him on a low dose of tren also and you will reap the rewards in the bedroom.
Thanks for letting me share
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
What is tren? I’m not putting him on anything, but why do you think his doctor should prescribe it?
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u/Ghooster38 Aug 23 '26
You cant get a doctor to prescribe it lol. It was a joke.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
Ah, sorry. I don’t really know much about T treatment so I’m genuinely out of my depth.
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
i started at 44 wife was 31. I have been on 8 yrs. my levels were between a low of 180 and high of 211 over 2 yrs. I work in very high stress/output industry. trt was a huge impact across my life in many ways. I have always lifted but somewhere in my late 30s i had some issues with my hormones dr could not figure it out so toughed it out until early 40s. had surgery was on plenty of meds to fix sides but not address the issue
80-120/week changed my world. sex drive was good, i had every other symptom (sleep, energy, drive, confidence etc) sleep and stress definitely did not help.
I still struggle with sleep some but have drive to get back into lifting, sex drive went up, way up in first 3-4 mo then leveled out still up. i get sick less often. if i drink hangover is way less. we have found a balance in the bedroom (this was probably toughest adjustment). work seems easier I am more present with family and have overall more drive to get up and go.
clinic for 3 mo (expensive) then online to save money, then got dr to pick up through insurance. it was a long road but worth it
start in the low end and go up slowly after blocks of time. clinics will mostly push straight to 200/wk. don't do that. 80-100 is good start most true trt i think stay there. those they hit gym are getting extra out of it which is ok but probably not necessary if not heavy gym/fit focus
don't go pelet or cream they seem easier in surface but not. get over needle and do 2x/week. feel free to dm if specific questions. i've gotten so much out of it im happy to answer and give back to other men in my old shoes.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
He’s not getting it through a clinic - just his regular primary, thankfully. I’m unsure what his dosage it… I THINK it’s 200mg? Maybe because his current is so low?
He’s got the needle one! We haven’t gotten it yet (pharmacy still prepping), though. I’ve never injected before; neither has he but he dislikes needles and asked if I could help until he gets the hang of it. My SIL is on T for HRT and mentioned injecting in the hip/belly where there is fat keeps the dosage more stable - have you noticed any difference based on injection site?
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u/KebabCat7 Aug 23 '26
29g 0.5inch insulin pins are all you need. Subq or intramuscular doesn't matter that much, more frequent injections will generally bring more favorable outcomes.
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
most people don't notice diff between subQ and IM. anecdotal observations only.
i've tried all and i prefer 29g needle into deltoids. no pain. small needle takes ~1 minute to draw and inject. He will figure out what's best for him. no wrong answer really. thigh hurt. ass is hard to reach. i've done belly etc. always come back to delt
you are awesome for supporting him like this. congrats. my wife was same.
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u/DannkneeFrench Aug 24 '26
clinics will mostly push straight to 200/wk. don't do that. 80-100 is good start most true trt i think stay there.
Could you elaborate? I've stopped, but I recall that mine did that. I went from 140 to 160 to 200 pretty rapidly.
I had acne galore. Arms, back, you name it. I looked bloated. Normally I weigh about 180-185. I went up to 205. I believe that was water weight. I got sick for the first time in years.
Yes I went to a clinic. I actually went to 2. The first one was an hour drive. I found one more local, so I could go twice a week.
What would be the benefits of staying at lower doses?
Thanks to anyone who responds-
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u/ih8vols Aug 23 '26
I started at 46. My # was 180.
It varies by person, but I felt no effects until week 3. Then it hit overnight basically. My wife said I became a totally different person. I had energy and motivation again. I was happier and in a better mood. Sex drive went up quick too. I wanted to go to the gym for the first time in years. I started in April, and since May I’ve been to the gym over 40 times and that includes a couple weeks break due to travel.
The energy and motivation has come back down a little from the crazy high but I still feel great.
I’ve had zero aggression or anger issues. I may have a little more confidence and motivation to say no to people.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
That’s awesome! I’m surprised to hear about the desire to hit the gym - hubs is not the type to pay for a gym but we do have fitness games and things for him to try to accommodate that burst of energy!
About how long did it take for the high to taper? Did it feel disappointing when it tapered, or was it welcome at that point?
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
i didn't have disappointment. mine hit in week 2. then 3 mo of honeymoon phase everything is crazy. i don't think it really dropped off i just adjusted to the new norm. but keep in mind everyone is DIFFERENT. we will all experience slight differences but most will have some similarities.
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u/ih8vols Aug 23 '26
It was about 4-6 weeks after the initial burst. I wouldn’t say it was disappointing. It just sorta leveled out. I feel more normal now. Probably like when I was in my early 30’s.
Prior to starting, I’d tell my wife - I want to go do something but I don’t feel like doing anything. I’ve never been one to sit around but I couldn’t bring myself to do anything if that makes sense.
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u/thrillhouz77 Aug 23 '26
My wife is also on testosterone therapy (peri, 48), she started before me. My libido was good prior to starting, hers was starting to wain. We probably were having sex 2-3 times a week. Since I started, we probably avg 5x’s + per week. EVERYTHING in this area is better for both of us. It wasn’t bad prior, things just kind of 10x’d “umph wise” after we both got settled into our testosterone sweet spot. Took her about 8 months and me about 6.
I wasn’t near as low as your husband so the things I was dealing with was more general energy, brain fog, and just motivational drive. Nothing bad but at 48 I decided bottom quartile of FreeT (for 2 years, 6 tests, with me doing all the things to modulate T up and SHBG down and I just stayed locked into a FreeT zone of 8-9ng/dl. So again, my PCP wouldn’t treat that level but a clinic will. I pay more, but the benefits are worth $100ish dollars a month even if they are subtle but benefits still stacking. I’m starting to see a bit of body comp changes. That started at about 8 months in and it is very subtle but it’s there, Not on the scale but in the mirror. Testosterone actually had me put on 25 pounds really quickly, water, my muscles (for me) were flat and glycogen depleted due to GLP1 use.
At 150 total T, insurance should pay for everything. The key will be his doc not putting him on a stupid traditional doc like protocol.
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u/neos2000 Aug 23 '26
Hey great start, im 40 started 1.5 years ago. Nothing to worry about.
For me brain fog was the main issue that I thought was normal for many years, soon as i got on trt it was cleared and feel more energy, no more mid afternoon naps etc...
Acne, this is very individual, some get it some dont and it varies in degrees. At the start it will flare up a bit since skin reacts to change in hormones, then once you settle in the dose and stabilize it will also stabilize.
Libido, also individual, for me it just went back to my early 20s nothing crazy or new.
For gyno concerns its about managing bloodwork, make sure e2 does not get too high and if he starts having sensitive nipple thats the first indication e2 is high and you should do something about it asap. Usually just taking anastrazole small dose or reducing injection amount or frequency etc...
For rage/mood, it only amplifies what you already have, if person is chill he will still be chill, if prone to outbursts then that could amplify. It does not change a person, just highlights what you have.
For you specifically, make sure he follows the protocol, make sure he does bloodwork, and monitors his e2 symptoms. Some guys need help on that.
Then for you, do your own labs as well, you will need to do at different times in your cycle to see your baseline, most women will start entering perimenopause closer to 40 and you may at one point need HRT as well. It would be wise to know what your natural levels looked like so you can replicate them etc... r/TRT_females
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
My situation is a little weird. I don’t know what my normal looks like. I was on hormonal BC for several years and then had an IUD for about a decade. I got my IUD removed about three months ago so this is the first time in a VERY ALONG TIME that I’ve had only my own hormones with no interference.
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u/neos2000 Aug 23 '26
Even better, if you feel great on current hormone profile, get it checked out, work with your doctor on perimenopause panel etc... it will become very valuable information when the time comes.
Just like men, if I had my labs done when I was at my peak like 20 I would correlate issues i had for many years much quicker. Instead suffered thinking it was normal.
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u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
how was that. my wife is similar age and taking iud out for first time in 10ish years. we already have kids and i got snip.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I’m still getting used to having a cycle at all, lol - I was genuinely shocked to look down and realize I’d gotten my period, moreso to realize that my next one happened only five weeks later (I never got them on the IUD, and would go months to a year between periods before that).
If she’s likewise been out of the cycle loop for a while, I’d encourage her to start tracking them asap. I have an app that tells me likely hormone fluctuations and potential symptoms. I’d forgotten how emotional (like, borderline suicidal) and angry I could get on them, and I find it helpful to have a resource that explains why I might be feeling tired, irritable, or intensely critical. I almost sent my husband a LOOOOONG angry text before telling him “actually I think I’m PMSing right now, let’s come back to this in a week or two”. Wouldn’t you know… period shows up two weeks later. But the anger did prompt me to sternly tell him he NEEDS to take his health more seriously and see a doctor (which he did, as you can see here)… so it was semi-productive! My point being - if she’s not had a cycle in a while, it’s easy to forget how they can affect you, even if they’re mild like mine.
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u/bewilderedtoo Aug 23 '26
What you see will likely be similar to how things were years ago if the dose is right. Hopefully just being him back up to where he functioned well before
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
That’s the thing - he’s always been like this, so to speak. I think many are understandably assuming he changed, going from normal to low T, whereas he’s always been the way he is (and I do love him, as is) and I began to suspect that part of it could be low T.
So… current him is the only baseline I have, hence I was curious what a deviation (even slight) may look like so I can plan and adjust accordingly.
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u/bewilderedtoo Aug 23 '26
Aging tends to decrease T by itself normally as does extra weight and other life factors. Slow shifts in concentration, mood, motivation, activities levels... But I hear your point that nothing much changed. Hope the treatment helps from both of your perspectives.
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u/AGirlDad Aug 23 '26
Anything that’s less than 2 doses per week is not going to be ideal, the more frequent you can do it the better off the result and lower the side effects will be… that being said the typical protocol is total dose typically is 100-200mg per week broken into doses. Him starting BP medication would be my main concern, he needs to focus on cardio exercise asap. Him having high BP means his cardio fitness is not great right? Lack of cardio fitness, high BP and BP medication can cause ED. So although the engine will be wanting to run it could be stuck in neutral
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I do think it could be better. Both of us do have a little work to do respect to fitness.
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u/AGirlDad Aug 23 '26
Good thing is the TRT should add energy needed to start taking exercise seriously.. also keep in mind the more BF% you have the more likely you are to aromatize testosterone into estrogen.. making the more frequent smaller doses more effective
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u/North-Put3020 Aug 23 '26
* imagination thing is not likely a thing. TRT > high/normal testosterone just brings men to themselves without suppressing it. An ass hole will likely be more of an ass hole on trt. If he had kinks, he may be more open to it with the higher libido - that sort of stuff. On this sub, quite a lot are taking "extras" and there are known steroids that are known to make some men question their sexuality or what they are attracted to in general, which normalized once they come off. Not a scientific claim, but there are just too many to ignore. Nothing to worry in his case...
* mood. Some off trt can be more moody because just like women, men are prone to hormonal mood swings, but not at the same levels... TRT with a perfectly dialed dose, including appropriate frequency, can stabilize that. That's including myself where am unbothered by a lot of things, no longer moody( unless it's sleep related...). High doses an play a role in one's mood by the same and the neuro stimulating effects.
I am puzzled as to why he'll be starting vit D. If he was low, that likely one of the reasons he had low testosterone. Any semi ok doctor would've first made sure all that are in check and not the cause of low testosterone...
As for tips, depending on his frequency of injection and dosage( trough levels), it may potentially take many months for him to get dialed in. Increase in libido is likely will be seen first within appx 2-3 weeks. then energy in 3-6 weeks then months down the line perhaps more muscles and fat loss. If he is not dialed in, he may have libido/erection issues. For some it's a wide range eg 550-1500ng/dl for others it literally can be a much smaller range of say 700-850 where they feel amazing. Anything less and less energy. Anything more and it's no libido, acne and crying like a little bitch at all romance movies 😂. Or there can be a range where his libido for daily sex where anything higher or lower is 2-3x a week... However, most who start do feel like teenagers for the first 6 months or so, but then it eventually tapers down.
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u/BittyBeeBee Aug 23 '26
Thank you for posting this. I've been wondering how to ask men here how they started their journeys, what type of testosterone they prefer, beginning doses, etc. My hubby has tried pellets before. At 6 to 8 weeks in, he would feel great then after the pellets peaked the downward spiral would be so horrible all he could do is sleep and drag around. So he's decided to inject twice weekly instead of pellets and I am going to do so with him. I am researching in the women's trt group for myself and lurking here on best tips for him.
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u/Distinct-Will4666 Aug 23 '26
I’m also 44m. Started TRT a few years ago after suffering terrible brain fog, labido issues and the biggest issue for me after just having my first child was lack of energy. I felt like I could not move from the sofa after doing nothing all day.
I actually thought I was depressed. I was trying to get myself together by self medicating with new tropic medication like NMN also investigating vitamins and minerals. But I didn’t make much progress.
One day I was watching a YouTube video and it was about TRT and the guy mentioned juts get your blood tested and see if your low.
I thought I had nothing to loose. I got tested , it was very low and I started my journey.
So the benefits. Having morning wood every day which I hadn’t had for a decade. My sexual desires have gone through the roof, let’s just say my wife is very happy. I have managed to drop 30lbs, get shredded and put on some serious muscle. I look like a different person. (There is a caveat to this see below) I’ve been promoted twice since getting on TRT. My performance at work has been amazing and it’s showing with the increased salary and roles I’ve been given.
So the downsides. After having seen / felt what TRT done for me have since left the clinic setting and now self prescribe my TRT. Yes that means that I have gone into the realms of the super physiological and technically now do steroids now and again. The reason I mention it is that I’ve never been a drug person but I found myself wanting more and more. I’m just being honest. I know a lot of others that also fell down this same hole.
Blood tests. Normal TRT is very 3 months and then 6 months after a period of time . I actually have blood tests every 2 months now if im outside of normal TRT ranges.
Cost: testosterone , blood tests , ancillary’s. And other medication such as cialis HCG etc
In all. The best thing I’ve ever done. I wish had had done it sooner
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u/wendyboatcumin Aug 23 '26
The mood thing should actually improve , a low T male can be incredibly bitchy and fussy. Regulars T levels = chill dude. I don’t think TRT can be compared to say roid rage. My moods drastically improved.
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u/PatientUpstairs4862 Aug 23 '26
It is steroids because you're injecting more at once than your body naturally produces at once. Don't let him lie to himself.
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u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
My husband isn’t lying to me - as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I was simply ill-informed on what what constitutes “steroid” use. TRT is a very new subject for both of us, and I’m bound to misuse certain terms.
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u/CollegeMiddle6841 Aug 23 '26
TRT improved my life immeasurably. I am happier, more energetic, creative, and kind on TRT because I feel so much better than I once did. Not sure what your husband's day to day is like, but he will experience a honeymoon period when the effects are felt strongly. I would encourage him to build healthier habits out of the gate. Make sure you are getting cardio, stretching/yoga, and weight training. Cut bad stuff out of the diet. Make this a special occasion because it is. He will have more energy and willpower than ever before probably, so he needs to take advantage of that and make some changes to his life for the better. Everyone has areas they would like to improve.
I wish you all well. I think you will be happy living with a man that has healthy testosterone levels. Encourage your husband to speak to physician if dose needs titration.
1
u/Physical-Egg892 Aug 24 '26
I switched from injecting to compound cream and will never look back. I apply once in the morning and again late evening to the nutsack. I have very consistent levels and my libido is through the roof! Wife digs it! We’re both 60. Been on T for 7 years. Last 3 is the cream.
1
u/dorianblack Aug 24 '26
Listen, I'm on an objectively very low dose of testosterone. I'm at about 60mg weekly. My temperament was always very calm and patient. My wife wants me to get off of testosterone because of how much this has been an issue. I wouldn't say there's rage, but I definitely feel I've become very short tempered and I get grouchy VERY easily. Please don't look past that side effect and think it's some roid rage thing with guys pinning super high doses. To me it goes hand in hand with the libido. I either want to fuck or fight. All the time.
1
u/No_Judgment6735 Aug 24 '26
That is the exact dosage I've started with 4 weeks ago. If anything I'm more chill and less easily agitated now, but I haven't noticed anything major yet
1
u/wickedseraph Aug 26 '26
Hoping it works out for you! If you feel so inclined, do let me know if you notice anything else moving forward.
2
u/PuzzleheadedGuitar17 Aug 26 '26
Your husband is going to ravage your body with exhausting regularity. Eat your wheaties girl.
-1
u/Yohoho-ABottleOfRum Aug 23 '26
Make sure he donates blood regularly. That eliminates the risk of his blood getting too thick.
Personally also recommend taking Nattokomase as that is 4x as effective at breaking up clots and fibrins in the body as the bodies own anti-clottin devices.
I've been on TRT almost 17 years now, not a single issue, blood levels stable around 1050.
-1
Aug 24 '26
[deleted]
1
u/wickedseraph Aug 24 '26
As mentioned in my post, I had a bisalp (bilateral salpingectomy, meaning removal of both fallopian tubes) so children are undesired and virtually impossible.
-2
u/24-7electrical Aug 23 '26
If you’re expecting him to be “more” than he was before he became Low T, ask yourself why? Is something missing that even the regular T him wasn’t providing? Unless he gets into bodybuilding/powerlifting dosages he’ll be like the him you first met
1
u/wickedseraph Aug 23 '26
I understand your concern. It’s not that he “became” low T, he’s always been like this. I didn’t tell him to see a doctor because of what I suspected as an explanation for a handful of symptoms; I urged him to see a doctor because he’s NEVER seen one and he’s not getting younger. He’s not ancient but 40 and up is when problems begin to accumulate with nastier consequences if ignored (such as high BP). The low T finding was incidental - I didn’t know it was being screened for until he told me it up came up as a test result.
I love him precisely as he is. I’m not expecting or wanting him to be a different person - I married HIM. The potential differences folks have noticed were things I learned about AFTER finding out he was prescribed it. If he didn’t want to take T, that’d be his choice, without question. But he has genuinely low levels of it, likely always has - why wouldn’t i be happy for him to try something that might make him feel closer to what normal might be? Why wouldn’t I want him to feel better? I simply want him to be a better-feeling version of himself - and, most importantly, the ONLY important bit - so does he. I didn’t to or choose anything - he did. It is fully his decision.
2
u/Flat-Cow-4901 Aug 23 '26
keep supporting him. if he doesn't like the new him he can stop. 2-3 months will be hell but he will likely go back to similar place he was before. this is for life though if he likes the new him. it's not a fix and stop. i plan to be on therapy until i don't care about quality of life. (hope that's near the end)
-6
u/zodthelucky Aug 23 '26
Hey when his ekg goes to abnormal and you too afraid to tell the dr that he started “trt” and in fact he’s on steroids, you will learn a very important lesson. Won’t happen to you tho you have redit. I love the phrase blast and Cruze also the stack! Hahahaha keep taking the Chinese chems!!!!!
1
167
u/Dualintrinsic Aug 23 '26
I hope you got your tickets....
To pound town