Both TRT and natural methods can increase a man’s T levels, as evidenced by medical literature. The big difference between the two is the method, the degree of increase, the effectiveness, safety, and convenience. Ultimately, the best intervention or “medication” that will most reliably fix a health issue is the one that the patient will actually adhere to– simply put, the medication that works the best is the one that the patient takes!
Methods of increasing testosterone have existed since the early days of the Cold War and competition among countries. Some might even argue that some indirect methods existed through pre-civilization times of hunters and gatherers when hunters would try specific remedies and cures aimed at increasing their performance and male dominance on their hunting expeditions. Most recently, boosting testosterone has been popularized in athletics for winning competitions, in Hollywood for attaining movie character physiques (Alan Ritchson “Reacher,” Dwayne Johnson “Moana” etc.), and in everyday life to combat the epidemic of hypogonadism. Below is a comparison of TRT vs natural methods to help you understand their similarities, differences, pros, and cons.
1. Mechanism of Action
- TRT:
- Provides exogenous testosterone (testosterone introduced into the body) to directly increase hormone levels. Some examples include testosterone cypionate, testosterone undecanoate, and testosterone enanthate. FYI, the difference between these formulations of testosterone is the organic chemistry compositions, which affect the absorption and how long they last (think vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and gelato).
- It can be taken via injections, gels, patches, pellets, or oral, depending on the formulation. Similar to any other medications, the biomechanics of the method of taking the medication will affect the absorption and bioavailability. Generally speaking, gels or patches or flow to absorb through the skin are unpredictable for how much absorption happens as it is hard to control the absorption through the pores of the skin, compared to intramuscular injections, which have a predictable absorption through the muscle and bypassing restrictive membranes.
- Does not need any of the body’s machinery to create or produce any testosterone, making it highly effective for individuals with significantly low levels. As you are giving your body the already final product —T.
- Natural Methods:
- Work by stimulating the body’s natural production of testosterone. Think improving the inputs and mechanisms of the factory by doing things metaphorically, such as greasing the wheels, adding more electricity, more power, and adding higher octane fuel to make the body's machinery produce more output.
- Depends heavily on lifestyle changes and diet modifications. Lifestyle changes include things such as exercise and sleep. Diet modification includes things such as supplementation of the appropriate nutrients and minerals the body needs to produce the hormone testosterone; there are specific building blocks of this hormone that are needed in abundance in order to increase the production (e.g., zinc, vitamin D).
- Best for mild-to-moderate testosterone deficiencies or prevention of further decline of T levels. Dependent on healthy comorbid physiology of the body.
2. Effectiveness
- TRT:
- Rapid and highly effective at restoring testosterone levels, often start seeing results in 2-3 weeks.
- Directly addresses symptoms of low testosterone, including fatigue, muscle loss, low libido, and mood changes.
- Appropriate for clinical hypogonadism (severely low testosterone confirmed via blood tests).
- Natural Methods:
- Gradual improvement over time.
- Typically, it works well for individuals with borderline low testosterone or who want to optimize already normal levels.
- Less effective for individuals with conditions like hypogonadism, where the body cannot produce adequate testosterone.
3. Cost
- TRT:
- It can be expensive depending on the type of therapy, service, and insurance coverage.
- Requires regular monitoring (blood tests)
- If choosing in-person care rather than telehealth can require time out of the day for doctor’s office visits.
- Natural Methods:
- Relatively inexpensive, often limited to lifestyle changes and affordable supplements.
- No need for regular doctor visits or prescription medications.
4. Risks and Side Effects
- TRT:
- Risks:
- Increased red blood cell production (polycythemia), raising clot risk.
- Potential suppression of natural testosterone production (testicular shrinkage, infertility).
- It may increase estradiol levels (estrogen) and cause side effects like water retention or gynecomastia.
- Requires Monitoring: Regular blood tests are essential to minimize risks.
- Natural Methods:
- Risks:
- Minimal if done properly.
- Overuse of certain supplements (e.g., zinc, vitamin D) can cause toxicity.
- Safe as a naturopathic approach as it doesn’t interfere with the body’s natural testosterone production.
5. Convenience
- TRT:
- Requires regular administration (e.g., weekly injections, daily gels).
- Can involve in-person doctor visits and lab work or telehealth care from home.
- For injections, they can be administered by clinicians in an outpatient center or at home self-administered.
- For oral, at-home, self-administered convenience.
- Natural Methods:
- Convenient and easy to implement into daily routines.
- Requires consistency with diet, exercise, sleep, and supplement regimens.
- No reliance on medical professionals or prescriptions.
6. Suitability
- TRT:
- Best for:
- Clinical hypogonadism (testosterone <300 ng/dL with symptoms).
- Individuals with significant symptoms are not responsive to natural methods.
- Older men with age-related testosterone decline and severe symptoms.
- Natural Methods:
- Best for:
- Younger men with mild symptoms or borderline testosterone levels.
- Those looking to optimize testosterone without medical intervention.
- Individuals interested in preventative measures.
7. Time to See Results
- TRT:
- Results can be noticeable within 2–4 weeks.
- Improvements in energy, mood, libido, and muscle mass occur relatively quickly.
- Natural Methods:
- Requires weeks to months of consistency.
- Results depend on individual factors like adherence and baseline hormone levels.
8. Example Strategies
TRT:
- Testosterone Cypionate: 100–200 mg weekly via injection.
- Optional Add-ons: Enclomiphene citrate for fertility preservation and aromatase inhibitors for estrogen management.
Natural Methods:
- Diet: Increase intake of zinc (e.g., oysters), magnesium, and healthy fats (e.g., avocado, nuts).
- Exercise: Emphasize strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
- Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Stress Management: Use mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to reduce cortisol levels.
- Supplements: Vitamin D, ashwagandha, fenugreek, and D-aspartic acid.
Key Takeaways
- Choose TRT if:
- You have clinical hypogonadism or severely low testosterone levels.
- Your symptoms are debilitating and unresponsive to natural methods.
- Choose Natural Methods if:
- You have mild symptoms or want to optimize normal testosterone levels.
- You prefer a non-medical approach with minimal risks and side effects.
- Take our free online quiz to see if you might have low T.
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