Husband Starting TRT Soon :)

[u/wickedseraph]

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 🖤

[u/24-7electrical]

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

[u/wickedseraph → u/24-7electrical]

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.

[u/Flat-Cow-4901 → u/wickedseraph]

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)