A Man’s Guide To TRT In Poway:
Everything You Need To Know

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Testosterone levels drop naturally in men as they age, making it essential to maintain them for overall health and longevity. Research highlights testosterone’s many beneficial effects.

Studies reveal that testosterone effectively reduces amino acid breakdown and promotes muscle protein synthesis, helping to build and maintain lean body mass. If you’re not seeing gym gains despite a good diet and exercise routine, low testosterone might be the cause.

This is only the introduction…

Testosterone determines many masculine traits, including hair growth, muscle size, jawline shape, voice pitch, libido, confidence, metabolism, and bone density. It is known as an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS).

Similar to HGH, multiple factors can affect your body’s production of testosterone in positive or negative ways. These factors often include:

Positive regulators (these generally increase testosterone)

• Plenty of sleep
• Fit body composition
• Intense workouts, particularly with resistance training
• Intermittent abstinence lasting up to 10 days

Negative regulators (these typically decrease testosterone)

• Unhealthy weight
• Type 2 diabetes, which typically involves insulin resistance
• Overindulgence in alcohol
• Reduced-fat nutrition plan (fats are needed for synthesizing androgens)
• Xenobiotics
• Lack of adequate sleep
• Sustained stress
• Lack of exercise
• Extended aerobic workouts

If you’re here, you might be concerned about low testosterone. The next section will cover some of the most common symptoms of low T.

SYMPTOMS OF LOW T (TESTOSTERONE)

Here is a list of the most common signs and symptoms of low testosterone:

• Erectile dysfunction, often termed impotence
• Reduced interest in sex (libido)
• Decreased physical energy (fatigue)
• Less muscle mass and strength
• Depression (low mood)
• Smaller or reduced testes
• Brain fog and poor memory recall
• Anemia (reduced red blood cell count)
• Fragile bones and general physical weakness
• Occurrences of hot flashes
• Reproductive health concerns
• Rise in fat mass
• Diminished body and pubic hair growth
• Sleep apnea and other sleep-related issues
• Development of male chest tissue (gynecomastia)

While you might have several (or all) of these symptoms, confirming low testosterone with proper blood work is vital. A trained physician at Gameday Men’s Health in Poway can order the appropriate tests and help you restore your testosterone levels.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TRT

If you’ve decided on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), you might be curious about what the process of getting your “manhood” back will look like.

Depending on the form of testosterone treatment, some men experience a reduction in low testosterone symptoms within a month of starting TRT. However, for others, it may take more time to notice improvements in health and well-being. Although several weeks or months may feel like a significant duration, it’s relatively quick in the larger picture. Remember, TRT offers a lasting solution to a persistent health problem.

Research shows that TRT may bring about short-term benefits such as feeling more alive, having a heightened libido, experiencing increased vitality, enjoying better sleep, and other positive effects. The majority of TRT patients believe that waiting for testosterone to start working is a worthwhile experience.

What THE PROCESS IS LIKE TO GET STARTED

To begin TRT, the first step is to contact Gameday Men’s Health and arrange an initial consultation. During this meeting, you’ll detail your symptoms and learn more about TRT.

Blood work is essential for all prospective patients. This helps us assess your testosterone levels (and possibly other related factors). It’s crucial to undergo blood work before and during TRT to monitor your red blood cell counts, blood lipids, prostate-specific antigen, and other pertinent biomarkers to ensure they are within healthy ranges.

Enlisting a licensed physician to oversee the initiation of TRT should provide reassurance, as they are knowledgeable in prescribing the proper medication and reducing any possible side effects or health complications. If your blood work suggests low testosterone levels, you’re likely eligible for TRT.

If you decide to start TRT with Gameday Men’s Health, you’ll receive a testosterone shot and learn how to inject yourself for future doses. Alternatively, you can receive weekly TRT injections at the Gameday office for your convenience.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO INJECT YOURSELF

Worried about needles? Don’t be, injections are not as frightening as they might seem initially. We won’t minimize this process because injections can be daunting for many people starting TRT. Even those with years of TRT experience may still feel a bit uneasy when it’s time to give themselves injections.

In practice, the needle gauge for injecting testosterone is quite small; after breaking through the skin, the needle will easily enter your muscle tissue with little sensation. It’s recommended to take deep breaths and remain steady when inserting the needle.
You might assume that jabbing the needle quickly will minimize sensation, but it’s not a very controlled method. Hold the syringe firmly, take a deep breath, and gently insert the needle into your skin. The needle will smoothly enter your muscles, allowing you to press the plunger and release the testosterone. (You might experience a slight muscle twitch, but it’s typically not painful, more of a reflex.)
Generally, the injection process takes less than 15 seconds. Keep a sterile environment. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the injection site before disinfecting the skin, and avoid reusing needles or syringes to prevent infections.

When injecting testosterone, you’re placing an oil depot into muscle tissue, which slowly enters the bloodstream (for days or weeks, depending on the ester). As a result, you might feel soreness at the injection site for a few days afterward. This is normal and typically subsides on its own. Massaging the muscle and applying a warm gel pack for 5-10 minutes can help alleviate any discomfort.

DO I HAVE TO INJECT MYSELF ON TRT?

If you struggle with self-injection, Gameday Men’s Health offers convenient injection appointments for our TRT patients. This is a common choice for many newcomers to TRT, as you can simply let us handle the injection for you.

If you prefer to administer the injections at home, you can also have a friend or family member help you with the initial injections.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s advantageous for you to feel comfortable with self-administering TRT injections. Depending on someone else for injections may not always be feasible, particularly if you live by yourself or desire to keep your TRT private.
Remember to breathe and stay composed, you can handle this.

WHAT BENEFITS YOU NOTICE FIRST ON TRT

It’s understandable to want to see immediate benefits after your first TRT injection. But as mentioned earlier, patience is essential. TRT is not a quick fix; it’s about committing to your long-term well-being.

Despite this, many TRT patients report positive changes in their health and well-being within the initial month of starting therapy. Some short-term benefits may include:

• Strengthened libido or sex drive
• Betterment of erectile health
• Increase in vitality and focus
• Boosted vitality
• Better quality of sleep restoration

TRT can lead to lasting benefits, including:

• Enhanced capacity for exercise recovery
• Greater self-assurance
• Aid in maintaining a healthy body makeup
• Development of facial hair patterns
• Betterment of bone structure and joint wellness
• Increased erythropoiesis

Although TRT may provide additional benefits, it’s essential to recognize that everyone’s response to testosterone is different. Some individuals may notice benefits quickly with a small dose, while others may require a higher dose and more time to see results. If you don’t experience any improvements after several months, it’s recommended to consult your doctor for further assessment.

TRT is a personalized treatment, so it’s not suitable to compare your regimen with others’. It typically requires some trial and error at the start, and the timeframe for experiencing benefits varies from person to person.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ON TRT

It’s crucial to inform you about certain unforeseen situations that might arise during TRT. Given that exogenous testosterone is a medication, it can have side effects, similar to other medications.

Starting exogenous testosterone treatment can result in a decline in your body’s natural (endogenous) testosterone production. This occurs because of the negative feedback loop controlled by your pituitary gland, which manages testosterone production.

In healthy individuals, the pituitary gland generates luteinizing hormone (LH), which instructs the testes to produce testosterone, ensuring levels remain in a suitable range. The pituitary’s negative feedback loop functions like a “shutdown” mechanism for your body’s internal testosterone production pathway, as all necessary testosterone is obtained externally.

Your body stops making testosterone naturally since it’s being provided externally. This can cause your testicles to shrink because less LH is produced (leading to reduced testosterone production in the testes). You might also have lower sperm counts, which could affect fertility.

There are ways to handle these problems, and one option is to use human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) alongside TRT. HCG, similar to LH from the pituitary gland, is naturally produced in females during pregnancy. While typically used off-label for weight loss, HCG also has proven benefits for improving fertility and increasing testicle size in males by boosting testosterone production in the testes, like LH.

TAKE-HOME POINTS ABOUT TRT

Deciding to undergo TRT is a momentous decision for men. Testosterone, the main androgenic hormone your body generates, influences masculinity in all aspects.

Evolutionarily, men needed increased testosterone levels to fuel their primal instincts for hunting and protecting their families. In today’s culture, individuals with higher testosterone levels often have longer lifespans, greater vitality, and heightened confidence.

Naturally, having low T is a matter to take seriously as it indicates a deficiency in the hormone crucial for masculine traits. TRT stands as a transformative treatment for numerous males, backed by clear research.

We trust this guide has given you a thorough understanding of what to anticipate on TRT and how to start the process of restoring your testosterone levels to an optimal range. Keep an eye on the Gameday Men’s Health Blog for future posts addressing your questions and concerns about male health and wellness!

REFERENCES

1. Brodsky, I. G., Balagopal, P., & Nair, K. S. (1996). Effects of testosterone replacement on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis in hypogonadal men–a clinical research center study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 81(10), 3469-3475.
2. Bassil, N., Alkaade, S., & Morley, J. E. (2009). The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 5, 427.
3. Dohle, G. R., Smit, M., & Weber, R. F. A. (2003). Androgens and male fertility. World journal of urology, 21(5), 341-345.
4. Shores, M. M., Moceri, V. M., Sloan, K. L., Matsumoto, A. M., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2005). Low testosterone levels predict incident depressive illness in older men: effects of age and medical morbidity. The Journal of clinical psychiatry.