Testosterone is an androgen hormone responsible for developing and maintaining many cellular processes and biological functions in the male anatomy. For many men in their 30s and 40s, testosterone will eventually start to decline and gradually decrease as they get older. However, when their testosterone levels fall below the normal parameters for their age, the hormone imbalance can cause them to exhibit several symptoms, such as unexplained weight gain, muscle weakness, joint inflammation, low sex drive, and fatigue. This testosterone deficiency is commonly referred to as low testosterone.
If untreated, low testosterone can become the root cause of more serious conditions such as obesity, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and erectile dysfunction. To help your body maintain normal testosterone levels, your healthcare provider may suggest testosterone replacement therapy to help boost your testosterone to normal standards. However, for some men, TRT isn’t always the best solution.
Although TRT has been known to produce positive results, the treatment may not always be a good fit for every patient. In some cases, men may start TRT and realize midway through treatment that certain side effects are too uncomfortable for them to continue. In other instances, some men may feel that committing to the medicated regimen requires more effort than they originally assumed and wish to stop after a few months of treatment.
Even if men proceed with TRT, some believe they can simply stop treatment after correcting their hormone imbalance and achieving normal testosterone levels. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true. It’s important to remember that once you start TRT, you will likely need to rely on the treatment for the rest of your life to maintain your testosterone levels. If you decide to stop treatment at any time, your body will revert to its previous state, and your symptoms will return. Of course, if you feel more comfortable without TRT and wish to cease treatment, that is ultimately your decision. However, as with other medications, ending TRT treatment can also cause several unwanted side effects if not done correctly. So before you finally give up on TRT, it’s wise to consult with your physician to understand the risks of stopping your therapy and learn how to properly transition from treatment to avoid further complications.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has become an increasingly common treatment for men suffering from low testosterone levels. While TRT can provide relief for symptoms like low energy reduced libido, and loss of muscle mass some men may eventually want to stop treatment. A common question that arises is, can you stop testosterone cold turkey?
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone is an important hormone for men that is responsible for sexual development and supporting vital functions like bone density, muscle growth, fat distribution, and production of red blood cells As men age, testosterone levels naturally decline. Low testosterone, known as hypogonadism or Low T, can cause symptoms like
- Low energy and fatigue
- Decreased libido
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Mood changes like depression
- Reduced bone density
- Loss of body and facial hair
To treat Low T, doctors may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The most common forms of TRT include injections, gels, patches and pellets implanted under the skin. TRT can effectively raise testosterone levels and provide relief from Low T symptoms.
Why Men Stop TRT
There are several reasons a man might want to stop TRT, including:
-
Side effects – Some men experience side effects like acne, sleep apnea, enlarged prostate, or swelling in the ankles. Stopping TRT may relieve these effects.
-
Cost – TRT can be expensive, especially if not covered by insurance. The cost may motivate some men to stop.
-
Normalizing testosterone – Some men feel their testosterone levels have reached a satisfactory point and want to stop therapy.
-
Fertility – TRT can reduce sperm production and fertility. Men hoping to have children may stop TRT.
-
Lifestyle changes – Some men are able to increase their natural testosterone through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, reducing the need for TRT.
-
Medical guidance – A doctor may recommend stopping TRT for various medical reasons.
Is It Safe to Stop Cold Turkey?
When stopping TRT, abruptly halting it is generally not advisable. This “cold turkey” approach presents several potential problems:
-
Crash in testosterone – Suddenly stopping introduces a shock to the body as testosterone levels rapidly drop. This crash can cause withdrawal symptoms.
-
Withdrawal side effects – The sudden testosterone plunge may lead to symptoms like severe fatigue, low mood, irritability, loss of motivation, and loss of sex drive.
-
Hormone imbalance – abruptly stopping disrupts the body’s hormonal balance. Estrogen levels may temporarily increase as testosterone rapidly decreases.
-
Health risks – Some research indicates there may be an increased risk of cardiovascular events after sudden TRT withdrawal.
The Preferred Approach
Due to the risks of cold turkey withdrawal, doctors recommend a gradual tapering approach when discontinuing TRT. This involves slowly reducing the medication dosage over a period of several weeks or months.
The tapering schedule allows the body time to adjust and avoid sudden hormonal changes. This helps minimize withdrawal symptoms and side effects. The tapering approach involves steps like:
-
Discussing reasons for stopping with your doctor
-
Creating a customized tapering schedule
-
Slowly reducing dosage over weeks/months
-
Monitoring for side effects during tapering
-
Watching for Low T symptoms to return
-
Considering temporary use of medications like clomiphene to aid the transition
-
Having blood work checked at intervals
-
Working closely with your doctor throughout the process
Proper tapering allows the body’s natural testosterone production to restart while avoiding a dramatic crash. Gradual reduction of dosage gives your body the time it needs to rebalance hormone levels.
The Bottom Line
While some men may consider suddenly stopping testosterone replacement therapy, most doctors strongly advise against going “cold turkey.” An abrupt stop introduces the risk of significant hormone crashes, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and potential health risks.
To safely discontinue TRT, work with an experienced doctor to create a customized tapering schedule to gradually reduce your dosage over an extended period. This minimizes side effects and allows your body to naturally recalibrate its hormone levels. With close medical supervision, men can successfully transition off TRT and avoid the problems associated with an abrupt cold turkey approach.
How long does it take to come off testosterone?
That can depend on various factors, such as your age, genetics, the dosage level of the testosterone medication, and the duration of treatment. That can range from a few weeks to several months after you start weaning yourself off treatment.
How To Stop Testosterone Therapy Safely:
The most effective way to cease TRT and avoid testosterone withdrawal symptoms is to gradually decrease your testosterone medication during your treatment. Your physician will prescribe lower doses so your body can slowly taper off testosterone. Doing so will allow your body time to adjust so it can get used to relying on its own testosterone production and help reduce the severity of your testosterone withdrawals. As you’re tapering off testosterone, your physician may also recommend natural alternatives to increase your testosterone, such as zinc supplements, exercise, and specific diets, that can help prevent your testosterone levels from dropping too low as you end your testosterone replacement therapy.
Why I Quit Testosterone Therapy (after 10 years) & NOT Looking Back
FAQ
What happens if I just stop taking testosterone?
How long does testosterone withdrawal last?
Is it good to take a break from testosterone?
What is the best way to come off testosterone?
What happens if you stop testosterone injections cold turkey?
If you were on a TRT that lasted less than a month, short-term trials suggest that stopping testosterone injections cold turkey is not likely to result in any side effects. On the other hand, a sudden testosterone withdrawal after prolonged therapy is a shock to your endocrine system and will result in a combination of mental and physical symptoms.
What happens if you stop TRT cold turkey?
If you simply stop your TRT cold turkey, the shock of the sudden deprivation of testosterone will likely cause your energy levels and sex drive to drop. You’ll likely feel irritable and maybe even depressed or anxious. Those symptoms might sound scary but they should resolve within a few weeks of stopping testosterone treatment.
Should I stop testosterone replacement therapy?
Before you stop TRT, talk to one of licensed physicians first. If you are considering stopping Testosterone replacement therapy because of high costs, side effects, or fertility issues, avoid stopping testosterone replacement “ cold turkey ,” or you are likely to experience unpleasant symptoms.
Should I stop TRT cold turkey or taper off slowly?
Those who stop TRT cold turkey as opposed to tapering off slowly are much more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms as well. Feeling Run-Down? Our men’s clinic can restore your physiology, change your body composition and optimize your health to slow down aging and prevent health complications caused by low testosterone.