TRT erection issues

[atlien2488]

I'm 30 years old, 6'1' 220 pounds, lift quite frequently and cardio occasionally. So i've been debating coming off TRT for a few months now. I'm kind of at the final stages of my decision. I've posted and showed my lab results multiple times including SHBG, E2 sensitive, Test free and total, thyroid functions. Everything is on point and I feel good. My major issues is that I have major erection issues. It takes me longer to get an erection and is much less firm than when I was on. I'm taking 160 mg mg test cyp once a week (I understand twice a week is better, but with my schedule its harder to do and also even right after the shot, my erections don't get better), aromasin 2x a week 6.25 mg (more as needed than anything), HCG cycled for 2-3 months on, 1 month off and have experimented with pregnenolone which I've heard helps restore natural effects such as DHEA among other things. I have a prescription for viagra which definitely helps with erection quality but it doesn't effect how long it takes to get up. Does anyone have experience with this and what did they do to get rock hard erections back? I guess a bigger question would be, how painful of an experience is it to come off of TRT really? Is it debilitating or just kind of a couple months of lethargy? I'm thinking of HCG/Clomid monotherapy possibly. I have other issues that I hate such as acne, putting a needle in my leg, oily skin, the possibility of being infertile as well as others that I can completely live with. But this issue is just a gamechanger, especially as a single guy. Thanks.

 

[Systemlord]

You assume erectile issues are hormone related, if they are not, then your decision to stop TRT will make no difference. Going off TRT when you simply have structural problems in your penis will not change anything. The fact that you say you feel good is an indication TRT is working, a lot of guys never get to that point.

Acne and oily skin is DHT related, I'm not a fan of once weekly dosing either, it causes too many spikes in testosterone, estrogen and DHT.

Month ago I had to stop TRT for a week, boy was it hell.

 

[atlien2488]

My dick is structurally sound thank you very much lol....you could say I might have mental issues but that's never stopped me before from getting rock hard off TRT. Yeah I might try twice a week just to see if anything changes but we'll see. Is it really "hell" to stop with a proper restart program?

 

[Systemlord]

My dick is structurally sound thank you very much lol....you could say I might have mental issues but that's never stopped me before from getting rock hard off TRT. Yeah I might try twice a week just to see if anything changes but we'll see. Is it really "hell" to stop with a proper restart program?

If you play around with your TRT protocols long enough, you may actually find one that allows rock hard erections, it's not just about keeping levels elevated, some men respond favorably to frequent dosing. You body may actually respond differently to multiple injections per week as the hormone profiles look drastically different than once weekly.

My body likes frequent peaks rather than one large peak on infrequent injections.

 

[Charliebizz]

Why did you go on trt in the first place. What ever you had going on that made you go on trt and trt actually helped with us going to come back

 

[Prime]

Why did you go on trt in the first place. What ever you had going on that made you go on trt and trt actually helped with us going to come back

I see this argument quite often.

Is it possible that TRT is not the answer for everyone?

So in addition to “whatever I had had going on” prior to TRT, I now have Ed, expensive blood work and prescriptions, take multiple shots and pills biweekly to counter act side effects of the the “cure”.

There are many men for whom TRT is the answer.

For some, it’s not.

 

[Gman86]

I personally don’t believe that TRT isn’t for everyone. If your levels are low, having optimal testosterone levels is FOR everyone. I hate seeing guys post that maybe TRT just isn’t for them. That’s ridiculous. Having optimal levels of testosterone will always be better than having low levels. If TRT isn’t working for you, you either just haven’t found the right protocol/ delivery method for you, or you haven’t fully addressed all the other hormone imbalances that you have. Or there could be some outside factors that need addressing, like mold exposure, extreme stress, other environmental toxins, etc. But one thing that’s for certain, is that having optimal levels of testosterone will 100% always be better than having low levels. Even if subjectively you feel better with low levels, there’s so many other processes in the body that require optimal levels of testosterone to function properly.

 

[Charliebizz]

I see this argument quite often.

Is it possible that TRT is not the answer for everyone?

So in addition to “whatever I had had going on” prior to TRT, I now have Ed, expensive blood work and prescriptions, take multiple shots and pills biweekly to counter act side effects of the the “cure”.

There are many men for whom TRT is the answer.

For some, it’s not.

To add to your post. Now it’s time for everyone to agree on that. It’s not always. “ your protocol is wrong” or “it’s in your head”. Some of us have more complex issues and low t is just a by product of something bigger going on. So people that trt works for need to stop being negative toward people that it doesn’t work for. And vice versa

 

[Charliebizz]

I personally don’t believe that TRT isn’t for everyone. If your levels are low, having optimal testosterone levels is FOR everyone. I hate seeing guys post that maybe TRT just isn’t for them. That’s ridiculous. Having optimal levels of testosterone will always be better than having low levels. If TRT isn’t working for you, you either just haven’t found the right protocol/ delivery method for you, or you haven’t fully addressed all the other hormone imbalances that you have. Or there could be some outside factors that need addressing, like mold exposure, extreme stress, other environmental toxins, etc. But one thing that’s for certain, is that having optimal levels of testosterone will 100% always be better than having low levels. Even if subjectively you feel better with low levels, there’s so many other processes in the body that require optimal levels of testosterone to function properly.[/QUOTE. What if low normal t numbers are optimal for the individual. My natural t has come back from 250-387. Maybe that’s fine for me being trt offers almost no positives. And only negatives for me

 

[Charliebizz]

I look at it like pain. I have a really bad back. Now I can take pain pills to mask the symptoms. Or I can work on my back to make it better. It’s never going to be 100% but I won’t need pain pills that cause other issues. And that’s how trt has been for me. It causes too many other issues. I was a patient of dr john and even he said maybe trt isn’t for you. We tried every thing excep test prop. And he was a doctor on the cutting edge of trt.

I feel like with most of us on the younger side low t is just a side effect of something bigger going on. It’s like when you go on low calorie starvation diets and your thyroid slows down so you can preserve what you have left. Same with testosterone. The body is trying to slow itself down for a reason and then we just by pass that and ramp it back up again.

 

[Prime]

I personally don’t believe that TRT isn’t for everyone.

So you believe that TRT is for everyone?

My doctor tells me that the decision to engage in any course of treatment must be weighed against the side effects of the treatment.

 

[Gman86]

So you believe that TRT is for everyone?

My doctor tells me that the decision to engage in any course of treatment must be weighed against the side effects of the treatment.

I honestly do. But I also understand that if you feel worse on TRT, and you don’t want to continue spending time and money on figuring out how to make it work for you, that’s completely respectable as well. I do feel that everyone can make TRT work for them if they don’t give up, and continue to learn, and continue trying out different protocols, and optimizing all other aspects of their health, including other hormone/ mineral/ vitamin deficiencies. But like you said, it’s basically about the pros and cons. The pros and cons are gonna be different for literally every single person.

 

[Prime]

Gman, thanks for the honest civil discourse.

 

[Gman86]

Gman, thanks for the honest civil discourse.

Haha thanks for being understanding and not taking my response the wrong way. I basically am just saying that I really do think that with enough work and dedication, pretty much everyone can eventually make having optimal testosterone levels, through exogenous testosterone supplementation, work. But I competely respect guys that need to give up before they get to that point. I’m not married, and have no kids. If I did, I might of already tapped out in order to maintain my marriage and home life. It’s definitely a long, hard road for some of us. I’m not there yet either. But I know that I will 100% get there, and I won’t give up until I figure it out.

For me, I think jumping on testosterone propionate recently, along with starting medication for my thyroid, is really gonna make a huge difference. The last piece of the puzzle for me, is getting out of my home that has mold. Everyone’s road to recovery is going to be different. Some easier, some harder, some very clear, some difficult to figure out. So I respect everyone’s journey, and am just here to help them along that journey, not to judge.

 

[atlien2488]

Yeah I just don't know anymore....any endocrinologist i've had advises against it while bro scientists and aging clinic doctors who make money off of it are all for it. I won't say that its not good to be on it but I've seen the same story from quite a few people. I think the human body and the endocrine system is so complex, there might be repercussions to turning off the HPTA that doctors aren't fully aware of yet. Everytime I go to my clinic, my numbers are perfect, but its not reflected in my sex drive or functions. Hopefully I figure it out at some point and find a good place to be.

 

[StepbyStep]

I feel your pain man, I'm 27 and went on TRT for ED. TRT made my ED much worse to the point where I'm using Trimix. Cialis and Viagra don't really do a whole lot for me. Erection issues at this age are a game changer for sure, it really forces you to alter expectations out of life.

I came off TRT 3 months the ago, and my erections and libido are better, I haven't had to use Trimix for a few weeks now. My erections still aren't the best, but the gf understands and is fine with shorter sessions for now.

I plan to try Propionate and the gels eventually when I get back on TRT. I think having daily flucuations that mimic dinural rhythms might be the key. One can also increase their DHT with the gels to see if that helps at all. I really hope that the Propionate works out for the guys on here that just switched to it.

 

[atlien2488]

hey man....wrote you a private message.

 

[Charliebizz]

I honestly do. But I also understand [/QUOTE

Yeah I just don't know anymore....any endocrinologist i've had advises against it while bro scientists and aging clinic doctors who make money off of it are all for it. I won't say that its not good to be on it but I've seen the same story from quite a few people. I think the human body and the endocrine system is so complex, there might be repercussions to turning off the HPTA that doctors aren't fully aware of yet. Everytime I go to my clinic, my numbers are perfect, but its not reflected in my sex drive or functions. Hopefully I figure it out at some point and find a good place to be.

I feel exactly the same as you. But I keep going back to it cause I want to feel great and you hear these story’s about people feeling great from trt. I need to just accept the fact I’m better off without it. I understand what gman is trying to say but I’ve tried pretty much everything. And I’m also not built for the constant tinkering and labs that come with trt. If it works for you and the pros out weigh the cons then great I would stay on it also but if your like me where it actually gives me a lot more negative sides it’s not worth it

 

[atlien2488]

Yeah the kicker is that it doesn't give me any sides?! Just that one glaring one lol sex is something I like to do and if I can't get it up on command when I'm horny then it just doesn't seem worth it. I might try 3-4 more months with 2 a week injection plan but I really can't see that being the magic bullet to solve this problem. My main scare right now is timing of getting off. I'm in a job transition process and while no time is the best time to get off something that can potentially make you feel like crap when you take it away, this doesn't seem like the best time. Plus since I'm already on it, I feel like I should try a few last tweaks before I give up. Something tells me the HCG/clomiphene/nolva cocktail isn't gonna leave me feeling like a king for quite sometime....

 

[Charliebizz]

Yeah the kicker is that it doesn't give me any sides?! Just that one glaring one lol sex is something I like to do and if I can't get it up on command when I'm horny then it just doesn't seem worth it. I might try 3-4 more months with 2 a week injection plan but I really can't see that being the magic bullet to solve this problem. My main scare right now is timing of getting off. I'm in a job transition process and while no time is the best time to get off something that can potentially make you feel like crap when you take it away, this doesn't seem like the best time. Plus since I'm already on it, I feel like I should try a few last tweaks before I give up. Something tells me the HCG/clomiphene/nolva cocktail isn't gonna leave me feeling like a king for quite sometime....

Really depends on the person. I don’t really struggle at all coming off cold turkey. One of the reasons being trt didn’t make me feel any better to begin with. I’m sure might be a point where I’m lower then my baseline for a bit but it’s never that big of a deal for me.