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Low Testosterone
Key takeaways
The most common treatment for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy.
There are no over-the-counter medicines or natural supplements that are FDA-approved to treat low testosterone.
Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, losing excess weight, and reducing stress are some techniques that may help as well.
Testosterone levels, or “T levels” as they are popularly known, have become a health concern for men. A sex hormone, testosterone, produces the biological characteristics associated with “maleness,” such as muscularity, body hair, and a low voice. So when testosterone begins to decline, a process that starts at around the age of 30, men begin to worry about the consequences for their health and quality of life. Low testosterone can happen when either the testes do not produce enough testosterone, called primary hypogonadism, or the hypothalamus and pituitary gland do not produce the hormones to stimulate testicular production of testosterone, called secondary hypogonadism. Sometimes, testosterone may decline so low that it substantially affects men’s health. Medicine can step in at that point and provide help.
How is low testosterone diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a history and physical examination to determine if there are classic symptoms of low testosterone, such as:
Low sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Low sperm production
Declining ejaculate volume
Loss of underarm, pubic, and body hair
Hot flashes
Other symptoms might include memory problems, concentration problems, decreased energy levels, reduced muscle strength, reduced muscle mass, depression, and fatigue.
A healthcare provider can also order blood work to diagnose low testosterone.
Low testosterone treatment options
When a particular cause has been identified for low testosterone, treatment will generally focus on the underlying condition, which could involve surgery, medications, or lifestyle changes. For men who have low testosterone directly caused by the underproduction of hormones or testosterone, the most common treatment is testosterone replacement therapy.
Testosterone replacement therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is often the first line of treatment for low testosterone when the only cause for low testosterone is a problem with testosterone production in the testes or hormone production in the pituitary gland or brain. The healthcare provider will take the patient’s individual needs into account when determining the best type of TRT. Even though it does increase serum testosterone levels, testosterone replacement therapy may not always improve symptoms.
Other medications
Alternatively, other medications may help increase testosterone in the body or manage the symptoms of low testosterone, such as estrogen blockers and aromatase inhibitors. However, these medications are less commonly used.
Types of low-testosterone medication
Testosterone
Testosterone products include patches, topical gels, nasal gel, intramuscular injections, and pellets. Testosterone gel and transdermal patches are the most widely used on account of cost, ease of use, insurance coverage, and their ability to keep testosterone levels more or less stable. Testosterone injections are usually administered every one or two weeks. Testosterone undecanoate, a long-acting version of testosterone, is injected every ten weeks. A testosterone pellet is inserted under the skin and provides continual testosterone release for up to six months.
Estrogen blockers
Testosterone replacement typically reduces sperm counts and lowers testosterone production in the body, both of which can be a problem for younger men who would like to start a family. Estrogen, a female sex hormone, naturally occurs in men. It works in the brain to inhibit testosterone production. Estrogen blockers prevent this from happening, so the brain provides more hormonal stimulation of testosterone production. Healthcare providers typically prescribe clomiphene citrate off-label to younger men with low testosterone. These medications may also be used in older men who are not candidates for testosterone therapy. Clomiphene may also be used for treating infertility.
Aromatase inhibitors
People with low testosterone and excess weight often can produce normal levels of testosterone. However, an enzyme in body fat, called aromatase, converts testosterone to estrogen, a female sex hormone. High estrogen levels, in turn, inhibit testosterone production. Aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, are breast cancer drugs that are used off-label to prevent this process. Aromatase inhibitors can increase serum testosterone and decrease estrogen in men with age-related or obesity-related low testosterone.
Over-the-counter low-testosterone medicine
There are no over-the-counter medications to treat low testosterone. There are many natural supplements that claim to increase testosterone, but they are not proven to be effective. If you still want to try a supplement, be sure to check with a healthcare provider first.
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Best medications for low testosterone
| Drug name | See SingleCare price |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Get free coupon |
| Androgel | Get free coupon |
| Natesto | Get free coupon |
| Clomiphene | Get free coupon |
| Arimidex | Get free coupon |
| Anastrozole | Get free coupon |
| Aveed | Get free coupon |
This is not an exhaustive list of low testosterone medications. Always ask your healthcare provider for the best treatment for low testosterone based on your health condition and medical history.
Common side effects of low testosterone medicine
Different classes of medications have different side effects. For example, common side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include breast growth, testicle shrinkage, acne, and sleep apnea. However, this is not a complete list, and you should consult with a healthcare professional for possible side effects and drug interactions based on your specific situation.
Home remedies for low testosterone naturally
The best home remedies are lifestyle changes that either help to increase testosterone levels or help to manage or reduce the symptoms by improving sexual function, muscle strength, energy levels, concentration, and mood. Examples include:
Lose excess weight. Losing excess weight can help increase testosterone levels, especially in men with obesity or who are overweight.
Exercise more. Exercise, especially weight training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), may help increase testosterone.
Eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Eating a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods may help increase testosterone. A registered dietitian can help you with dietary changes.
Practice good sleep hygiene. Not getting enough sleep can have an effect on testosterone levels. Practice good sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time every night, eliminating all distractions, and turning off the light.
Lower stress levels. Stress may reduce testosterone levels in the blood, so lowering stress may help increase testosterone. Avoiding stress is not always possible, but stress can be reduced through relaxation activities, exercise, good sleep hygiene, and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.
Avoid medications that lower testosterone. Certain medications may reduce testosterone levels, such as opioids and anabolic steroids. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether any of your medications could be affecting your testosterone levels.
Frequently asked questions about low testosterone
What is considered low testosterone?
For a healthcare practitioner, low testosterone is not only a number. It is a combination of lower-than-normal testosterone levels in the blood accompanied by significant physical symptoms such as reduced muscle strength, physical performance, energy levels, sexual desire, erectile function, and other symptoms.
What does low testosterone do to a man?
The classic symptoms of low testosterone include a decreased interest in sex and a decline in the ability to have spontaneous erections. Low testosterone can also cause hair loss in the underarms and pubic area, decrease sperm count, lower the volume of ejaculate, and produce hot flashes. Men with low testosterone may also complain of loss of muscle strength, bone fragility, fatigue, depression, weight gain, trouble concentrating, memory problems, and reduced physical performance and energy.
Can low testosterone be cured?
Low testosterone caused by a curable condition, such as obesity, alcoholism, drug use, or hypothyroidism, may be curable. Fixing or managing the underlying condition may bring testosterone levels back to normal. Low testosterone due to age or inherited disorders is not curable but can be managed with testosterone replacement therapy.
How do you fix low testosterone?
If caused by a condition such as an underactive thyroid, stress, obesity, malnourishment, or similar problems, low testosterone can be fixed by fixing or managing the underlying condition. Low testosterone due to the testes, pituitary gland, or brain may require testosterone replacement therapy to help manage the condition and reduce the symptoms.
What is the best treatment for low testosterone?
There is no single best treatment for low testosterone. The condition can be due to several causes, each of which will have treatments to manage the condition. The most common treatment for low testosterone is testosterone therapy, but this treatment has potential side effects and may not be right for every person. A healthcare provider can determine the best treatment for you based on your symptoms and medical history.
Which drugs help to increase testosterone production?
Testosterone replacement therapy increases testosterone levels, but does not increase the body’s production of testosterone. Estrogen blockers, such as clomiphene, are used to increase testosterone production.
Which foods increase testosterone the most?
Some foods that may help increase testosterone levels include onions, oysters, fatty fish, and extra virgin olive oil. However, if you have a testosterone deficiency, it is typically best to eat a balanced diet with healthy fats, proteins, and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. A dietitian can help design a diet plan that works for you.
Sources
Low testosterone, Cleveland Clinic (2026)
Low testosterone, Urology Care Foundation
Could you have low testosterone?, MedlinePlus (2025)
Treating low testosterone levels, Harvard Health
Hypogonadism (low testosterone), UCSF Department of Urology
Are testosterone-boosting supplements effective? Not likely, according to new research, University of South Carolina (2019)
Lifestyle strategies to help prevent natural age-related decline in testosterone, Harvard Health (2024)
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