Testosterone is an important hormone that regulates many processes in the male body. Testosterone boosters are supplements that may help increase low testosterone levels by encouraging the body to produce more testosterone naturally.
When you stop taking testosterone boosters, your testosterone levels may decline again depending on what was causing low testosterone in the first place. Potential effects of stopping testosterone boosters include:
- Libido - Many men report a drop in sex drive when they stop testosterone therapy. Libido is strongly tied to testosterone levels.
- Energy Levels - Low testosterone can contribute to fatigue and low energy. These symptoms may return when you stop boosters.
- Muscle Mass - Testosterone plays an important role in building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Muscle mass may decline gradually.
- Bone Density - Testosterone supports healthy bone density. Bone density loss may resume when levels drop.
- Mood - Irritability, depression and other mood disturbances may reemerge. Testosterone influences neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
- Cognition - Some research indicates testosterone can impact cognitive abilities like memory and spatial relations. These faculties could decline.
However, the degree to which these reversed effects are experienced can vary widely between individuals and depend on:
- What was causing low testosterone in the first place
- How long testosterone therapy was used
- Age, lifestyle and overall health
For example, if low T was caused by a treatable condition like sleep apnea or
obesity, symptoms may not revert if you continue to manage the underlying issue through other means besides testosterone therapy.
Who May Want to Stop Taking Testosterone Boosters
There are several reasons someone might contemplate stopping testosterone boosters:
- Side Effects - Some potential side effects like acne, sleep apnea or polycythemia may motivate discontinuing therapy.
- Fertility - Testosterone therapy can suppress sperm production and fertility. Those trying to conceive may stop.
- Surgery Risks - It’s typically recommended to temporarily stop testosterone prior to surgeries to avoid potential coagulation issues.
- Cost - The expense of testosterone — which may range from $20-$100 per month — could also prompt discontinuation if paying out of pocket.
- Lifestyle Changes - Some people attempt to boost T naturally through diet, exercise, stress reduction, etc. before pursuing lifelong hormone therapy.
What to Expect When Quitting
When stopping testosterone boosters, you can expect:
- Gradual Decline - Testosterone levels will begin tapering off slowly. They won’t plummet overnight.
- Symptom Recurrence - Low T symptoms like sexual dysfunction, mood problems, and low energy will likely recur over time.
- Variable Timeline - How rapidly you feel effects varies. Some men adjust within weeks while others take several months.
Your doctor can guide you in transitioning off therapy safely and help manage reversible low T symptoms. Blood tests can confirm when levels stabilize.
If declining testosterone levels or low T symptoms concern you, the physicians at () can help diagnose the root cause and craft an effective treatment plan for you. Our clinic specializes in testosterone replacement therapy and related treatments.
We offer affordable pricing, flexible financing options and accept most major insurance plans at our state-of-the-art facilities across the country. Horizon Hormone Therapy is dedicated to helping you regain your vitality.
