A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone supplementation, such as acne, breathing disorders while sleeping (worsening of sleep apnea), breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles. Doctors also monitor high red blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of blood clots. If you suddenly stop taking testosterone, you may feel tired, have a low sexual desire, suffer from erectile dysfunction and other problems. These symptoms may persist unless you work with a provider to re-establish something called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPTA) in English).
Every time your hormone balance changes, you should expect side effects to occur. Because testosterone is such a powerful hormone, the termination of treatment can negatively affect patients. Weight gain, muscle loss, headaches, and loss of sexual desire are all possible outcomes. Because testosterone basically allows the body to work at full speed, the decline will generally return it to the pre-treatment state (or to a lower level).).
Once testosterone levels return to their normal natural “low” level, you'll start to see the benefits diminish. In addition to physical factors, decreased levels can lead to depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, and lack of mental clarity, also known as “mental confusion”. Because testosterone replacement often has such positive benefits, side effects can be equally negative once treatment is stopped. Soon after starting hormone treatment, you'll likely notice a change in your libido. Quite quickly, your genitals, especially the clitoris, will start to grow and get even bigger when you're excited.
You may find that different sexual acts or different parts of your body bring you erotic pleasure. Your orgasms will feel different, perhaps with a higher maximum intensity and a greater focus on the genitals rather than a full-body experience. Some people find that their sexual interests, attractions, or orientation can change when they take testosterone; it's better to explore these new feelings rather than keep them suppressed. Even if men continue with TRT, some believe they can simply discontinue treatment after correcting their hormonal imbalance and achieving normal testosterone levels. It's important to remember that, once you start TRT, you'll likely have to rely on treatment for the rest of your life to maintain your testosterone levels.
If you decide to stop treatment at any time, your body will return to its previous state and symptoms will return. Of course, if you're more comfortable without TRT and want to stop treatment, that's ultimately your decision. However, as with other medications, ending treatment with TRT can also cause several unwanted side effects if not done properly. Therefore, before you finally abandon TRT, it is advisable to consult with your doctor to understand the risks of discontinuing therapy and to learn how to make the appropriate treatment transition to avoid further complications.
Once testosterone therapy begins, will you be able to stop it? You can stop doing it, but symptoms of low testosterone levels are likely to return. In one study, 151 men were followed up for 6 months after stopping testosterone replacement therapy.The researchers found that in 92 patients (61%), the effects of TRT did not continue, but they did in the other 59 patients (39%). The researchers observed that people in the second group had been receiving TRT longer than those in the first group (10.7 months), compared to some of the physical changes caused by masculinizing hormone therapy that can be reversed if you stop taking testosterone. Others, such as a deeper voice, a larger clitoris, hair loss on the scalp, and more body and facial hair, cannot be reversed.
It's important to work with a healthcare professional when making decisions about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and to seek medical supervision throughout the treatment process. Stopping TRT without proper guidance could result in side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and possible weight gain. It's crucial to find the right healthcare provider who specializes in hormone therapy and has extensive experience treating patients with low testosterone levels. TRT does not improve your body's own testosterone production and will therefore return to its previous low levels.
Most research on the risk of heart disease and stroke in transgender men suggests that the risk doesn't increase once you start taking testosterone. Fatigue and general malaise have many other causes, and when most men have a blood test, the result is a normal level of testosterone. However, in other cases, men who take high doses of testosterone for longer periods may be abstinent for months before their bodies can adapt to new changes. To do this, they make a small incision in the skin and use a special tool to implant 10 balls of testosterone. In addition, it's likely that your body's testosterone production has slowed down as a result of receiving exogenous testosterone (from a source outside the body).
These changes are unlikely to solve low testosterone problems on their own, but they can help you overcome any obstacles that prevent testosterone production. Testosterone levels may return to normal after stopping testosterone replacement therapy; however, recovery time varies between people depending on factors such as age and general health. Testosterone is the main hormone in men responsible for energy, bone density, muscle strength, and sexual performance. The biggest difference is that the doses of testosterone used in TRT are small and are designed to achieve natural levels of the hormone in the blood. This may depend on several factors, such as age, genetics, the dosage level of the testosterone medication, and the length of treatment.
Most testosterone is bound to proteins; proteins control the amount of active testosterone in the body and prevent tissues from using the hormone right away.
