Can i get testosterone prescribed

A doctor-ordered testosterone level test is the only way to find out if your testosterone levels are too low. When you see your doctor, they will take a thorough health history and do a physical exam. If your exam and tests reveal that you have low T, your doctor may suggest testosterone injections. The purpose of testosterone injections is to help regulate male hormone levels to help address problems related to low T.

For men with low T, the benefits of these injections can include:. Men generally have less body fat than women. This is partly related to testosterone, which regulates fat distribution and muscle maintenance in your body.

Your hormones also help regulate muscle growth. However, this only occurs if your low T is prolonged and severe. As for muscle maintenance, testosterone therapy has been found to help increase muscle mass, but not strength. Low sperm count is a common side effect of low T. This problem can make it difficult if you and your partner are trying to get pregnant. Testosterone therapy can itself lead to reduced sperm counts, especially at high doses.

According to GoodRx. The Depo-Testosterone label states that shots should be given every two to four weeks. These estimates only cover the drug itself, and not all possible costs of treatment. This is in addition to the cost of office visits for monitoring, as your doctor will likely monitor your condition carefully to check for side effects and to make sure the injections are working properly.

If you give yourself the injections, you may also need to buy needles and syringes. Therefore, injections could be a lifelong treatment if you continue to need them. If you have questions about the costs, talk to your doctor. Testosterone shots can help many men with low T. Be sure to tell your doctor about all health conditions you have before starting testosterone therapy. You will likely need extra monitoring from your doctor if you have heart disease, sleep apnea, or a high red blood cell count.

And you should not use testosterone injections at all if you have breast cancer or prostate cancer. Testosterone injections can be helpful, but only if you actually have low T. They can test you for low T. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Sexual health. Products and services. Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age Considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and more vigorous as you age?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Open pop-up dialog box The influence of testosterone in men Close. The influence of testosterone in men The male hormone testosterone plays an important role in the development and maintenance of typical masculine physical characteristics, such as muscle mass and strength, and growth of facial and body hair. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Qaseem A, et al. Testosterone treatment in adult men with age-related low testosterone: A clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. Male hypogonadism adult. Mayo Clinic; Gilbert K, et al. Gaps in patient knowledge about risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy.

Synder PJ. Approach to older men with low testosterone. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Sex between two consenting adults can boost your emotional and physical wellbeing. In fact, sexual activity can result in…. Erectile Dysfunction ED is a medical condition that prevents a man from getting or keeping an erection.

Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Alcohol Abuse. Opioid Addiction. Vasectomy: What to Expect. Microscopic Hematuria. Erectile Dysfunction ED. Premature Ejaculation. Examples of this include: Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy. Testicular cancer. Injury to your testicle s. Hypothyroidism low thyroid levels. Problem with your nervous system. Path to improved health Low T can affect your physical and mental behavior.

Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms, such as: low sex drive low sperm count infertility erectile dysfunction changes in mood depression muscle or bone loss decreased strength weight gain hair loss trouble sleeping trouble focusing The symptoms listed here can be caused by health issues besides low T. Things to consider Your doctor may want to perform other tests to find the cause of low T.

Questions to ask your doctor Will I always have low testosterone? How long does TRT last? Should I take a supplement s to increase my testosterone?