Doctor Reveals The 10 Biggest Lies About Testosterone (TRT)

    Quick Summary:

    • Short Answer: TRT is not a magic “man switch.” Taking testosterone shuts down your own production, so your testicles shrink and sperm production can stop.
    • Hidden Side Effects: Guys often aren’t warned about infertility, testicle shrinkage, hair loss, mood swings, man boobs and heart-related issues.
    • Erections: TRT can help if your testosterone is very low, but erections also depend on blood flow, nerves, stress, cortisol, dopamine and other hormones.
    • More Isn’t Better: Higher doses mostly bring more side effects, like acne, anger, hair loss, insomnia and thicker blood.
    • Getting Off TRT: Stopping can make you crash. You need a post cycle protocol, and some men never fully recover their natural levels.
    • My Advice: First try your best to increase testosterone naturally. If that doesn’t work, then consider TRT with a good doctor.

    TRT is gaining popularity in 2026 recently. Because of that, I get lots of emails from guys on Testosterone Replacement Therapy, who are having various negative effects that they didn’t even know were possible and that their doctor or the HRT clinic didn’t warn them about.

    Sadly, some of these TRT-related health problems can be permanent. So, if you’re on TRT or thinking about it, continue reading because I want to save you a lot of future regret.

    At the end of this article, I’ll also give you access to my “30 Years Of TRT Experience” video and other helpful information so you’ll know exactly what to do and not do.

    Either way, you’re not alone, and don’t worry, I’m here to help you.

    I think one big problem is that most guys think TRT is like flipping a “man switch” and everything magically fixes itself.

    However, the biggest TRT problems don’t come from testosterone itself… they come from the stuff guys don’t know – like infertility, testicle shrinkage, erectile problems, heart-related issues, hair loss, moodiness, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, man boobs and why erections don’t always come back like a superhero movie or you don’t perform like a porn star.

    Misconception #1: TRT Is “Natural” So It Enhances Your Testosterone

    The Myth

    TRT is “natural,” so it enhances your total testosterone levels.

    The Reality

    Yes, bioidentical testosterone is natural and not synthetic.

    However, taking testosterone exogenously is NOT natural and does NOT enhance your current testosterone production.

    It does the opposite; it shuts down your production of testosterone… Even if you were producing low amounts of testosterone.

    TRT tells your brain, “We have enough testosterone now.”

    So your brain turns down LH and FSH… which are the signals that tell your testicles to work and produce testosterone.

    The end result is that your testicles stop working and thus, they shrink.

    What Most Guys Don’t Know

    Shrinkage is not a “rare side effect.”

    It’s a predictable result of the signal shutting down. It happens to everyone who takes exogenous testosterone in any form or amount.

    Some shrink more and some less.

    This can happen even if you feel normal on TRT.

    However, increasing your testosterone levels naturally from within does NOT shrink your testicles and, in fact, can increase their size.

    There’s another major problem with testicular shrinkage that can change the future of your life.

    Misconception #2: TRT Can’t Affect My Hair

    The Myth

    TRT can’t affect my hair.

    The Reality

    Testosterone converts into DHT, and DHT can speed up male pattern hair loss if you’re genetically sensitive.

    So TRT doesn’t “cause” baldness out of nowhere… but it can hit the gas pedal if the engine was already there.

    The truth is that I’ve had friends and clients who have had a full head of hair in their 40’s and then start TRT and over the next few years start to slowly thin.

    You may think, “Hair loss isn’t part of my genetics“.

    Maybe not, if you genetically have lower testosterone levels.

    Misconception #3: All Testosterone Are The Same

    The Myth

    All testosterone are the same.

    The Reality

    Yes, testosterone is testosterone. It’s the same chemical formula.

    But the delivery mechanism changes the function based on someone’s genetics.

    For example, injecting testosterone cypionate acts differently than the enanthate estar, in some men.

    Topical testosterone put on your skin works differently than when the cream is put on your scrotum.

    More DHT is produced on the scrotum, which could mean a higher sex drive, but also more hair loss and prostate problems.

    These are just a few examples.

    Again, you need to speak to a very smart and experienced doctor.

    Not a drug pusher at the HRT clinic who prescribes the same cookie-cutter protocol to every guy.

    Misconception #4: TRT Will Instantly Fix Erectile Dysfunction

    The Myth

    TRT will instantly fix erectile dysfunction, permanently, and you’ll feel like a 17-year-old again.

    The Reality

    If you used to have high testosterone and now you have very low testosterone, then yes – TRT will help improve your libido and erections.

    But trust me, you’ll never feel or perform like your younger teenager, no matter how high your testosterone gets.

    When you first take testosterone, the exogenous testosterone, PLUS what you were naturally making, gives you an initial boost of Superman libido.

    But after a couple of weeks, your body adapts, your testicles slowly shut down and shrink and you go back down to baseline.

    Your libido is better than it was, but you’ll be disappointed.

    So you’ll then need to adjust the dosage upward a little bit.

    However, again your body adapts and different enzymatic reactions cause your libido to go back to a more normal level.

    Additionally, erections aren’t just about high testosterone. You also need to manage:

    • Blood flow
    • Nerves
    • Stress and anxiety
    • Cortisol levels
    • Dopamine levels
    • Blood pressure and blood sugar levels
    • Balancing other hormones – testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, cortisol, DHT and so forth

    So TRT isn’t a magic wand. It’s more like one tool in a bigger toolbox.

    And you better have a good doctor who knows about all of these things and will help optimize them with you.

    In fact, this is why I started using AlphaViril over 25+ years ago to improve my hormone levels. Because it helps balance and optimize all the various hormones and neurotransmitters.

    I’ve put important links below on how to naturally increase testosterone levels in the description area if you’re interested.

    Misconception #5: When I’m On TRT, I Can Still Have Kids

    The Myth

    When I’m on TRT, I can still have kids.

    The Reality

    Remember how TRT shuts down your testicles and shrinks them? … Well, this also causes sperm production to stop.

    Depending on your genetics, you can reduce sperm by 80% to as much as 98%.

    This means that having a baby is very difficult, but not impossible.

    This also means that it’s not a great birth control either.

    So if you want to have a baby, it’s best to NOT start TRT.

    Or before you start, you can donate to a sperm bank for the future, as a smart “insurance policy”.

    But, what if you are on TRT and you would like to still have a baby in the future?… You can still do it.

    However, it requires a special baby-making protocol consisting of HCG and HMG. I’ll make a video about this in the future. So make sure you’re subscribed and click the notification icon.

    Lastly, simply going off of testosterone doesn’t mean your testicles start working right away. It can take many months and some men never get back to normal.

    This is why TRT is a life-long commitment.

    Misconception #6: More Testosterone Equals More Results

    The Myth

    More testosterone = more results.

    The Reality

    Gaining muscle, yes. More testosterone = More muscle. Of course, lifting weights is required.

    However, with everything else, it’s simply more negatives such as:

    • Acne, oily skin
    • Anger, anxiety, irritability
    • Lowered sex drive & impotence
    • Gynecomastia & man boobs
    • Hair loss & body hair growth
    • Insomnia
    • High blood pressure, thicker blood & inflammation

    All drugs have diminishing returns.

    For example, you have 1-2 drinks of alcohol, you feel good and happier. You have a few more drinks and you start acting like an idiot. And if you keep drinking more, you’ll just pass out.

    Finding the right dose for your body and genetics requires lots of blood tests and a good doctor who knows what to look for.

    Not a doctor who simply wants to prescribe you a bunch of drugs to counteract the various side effects.

    Misconception #7: TRT Is Simple – Take It And Forget It

    The Myth

    TRT is simple: take it and forget it.

    The Reality

    There are different protocols with TRT. You can take injections, topicals, pellets and even oral testosterone. Each works differently and each person reacts differently.

    Even with the injections, the dosage and frequency of the injections makes a big difference.

    Misconception #8: TRT Will Improve My Mood, Drive And Confidence

    The Myth

    TRT will improve my mood, drive and confidence.

    The Reality

    It can initially, but genetics, dosage, frequency and receptor sensitivity are all important factors.

    For some, it can cause mood swings either because of the higher androgen levels, such as DHT, or because of higher estrogen levels.

    Also, as your body adapts after a few weeks, the opposite effects can happen; you start to feel “blah” again.

    Pay attention to your levels, but more importantly, how you feel. For some, they only need a little bit of testosterone to feel great. Others need more.

    For me, the symptoms are more important than the blood levels.

    I know guys who have higher estrogen for example and they feel fine. I know other guys who at the same level, want to cry, are moody, sad and very emotional.

    Genetics controls a lot more than you can imagine.

    Heck, the same dose you take at age 50, will react differently at age 60 and at age 70.

    Misconception #9: TRT Causes Prostate Cancer

    The Myth

    TRT causes prostate cancer.

    The Reality

    TRT doesn’t mean you “get prostate cancer.” But you do need proper screening and monitoring—especially if you’re older or have risk factors.

    Testosterone converts to both estrogen and DHT and BOTH cause prostate growth. So testosterone isn’t the real problem, it’s what it converts to.

    Genetics and age matter. Regular blood tests are very important.

    Misconception #10: I Can Get Off TRT Whenever I Want

    The Myth

    I can get off TRT whenever I want.

    The Reality

    Yes you can, but you’ll crash because your body has stopped making testosterone. You’ll feel horrible.

    Depressed, no energy, zero sex drive, brain fog… you’ll basically feel like an old man.

    You’ll need to prepare in advance and start a PCT protocol – Post Cycle Protocol. Which consists of drugs such as HCG, HMG, and possibly Clomid or another estrogen modulator.

    And depending on your genetics, it can take months to get your testosterone to normal levels, but never as high as it was on TRT.

    So, you’ll always feel sub-optimal.

    Again, this is why I always tell guys to first try your best to naturally increase testosterone levels. If you still don’t see or feel any improvements, then start TRT.

    Frequently Asked Questions About TRT

    Does TRT shrink your testicles?

    Yes. Taking testosterone tells your brain to turn down LH and FSH, the signals that tell your testicles to make testosterone. So your testicles stop working and shrink. Some men shrink more and some less, but it happens to everyone who takes it.

    Can you have kids while on TRT?

    It’s very difficult. TRT can reduce sperm production by 80% to as much as 98%, depending on your genetics. If you want kids, it’s best not to start TRT, or to bank sperm first. Men already on TRT may need a special protocol with HCG and HMG.

    Will TRT fix erectile dysfunction?

    Not on its own. If your testosterone was very low, TRT can help your libido and erections. But erections also depend on blood flow, nerves, stress, cortisol, dopamine, blood pressure, blood sugar and other hormones.

    Does TRT cause prostate cancer?

    TRT doesn’t mean you’ll get prostate cancer. But testosterone converts to estrogen and DHT, which both cause prostate growth. So you need proper screening and regular blood tests, especially if you’re older.

    Can you stop TRT whenever you want?

    You can, but you’ll likely crash because your body has stopped making testosterone. You’ll need to plan a post cycle protocol, and it can take months to recover. Some men never get back to normal.

    1. Patel AS, et al. Testosterone Is a Contraceptive and Should Not Be Used in Men Who Desire Fertility. World J Mens Health. 2019. PubMed
    2. Crosnoe LE, et al. Exogenous testosterone: a preventable cause of male infertility. Transl Androl Urol. 2013. PubMed
    3. Kohn TP, et al. Age and duration of testosterone therapy predict time to return of sperm count after human chorionic gonadotropin therapy. Fertil Steril. 2017. PubMed
    4. Cui Y, et al. The effect of testosterone replacement therapy on prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2014. PubMed
    Your FREE Customized Health Guide