We know what you’re thinking: it’s hard to believe the hype about testosterone replacement therapy. Can it really be as effective as promised? Not to mention, a decline in testosterone levels is natural with age, so why bother correcting it?

Feeling hesitant before starting or finding treatment is completely normal. Unfortunately, so is finding and believing the misinformation about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) out there.

We’ve asked Dr. Myles Spar, MD, MPH, Vault Health Inc.'s, Chief Medical Officer and the author of Optimal Men’s Health , to discuss the five most common myths about testosterone replacement therapy.

Common Myth #1:

“It’s natural for testosterone to decline with age, so I don’t have to treat it.”

Yes, testosterone decline after 30 is normal, but it’s still important to get your levels checked– especially since low T can increase your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Not addressing low T just because it naturally decreases over time is like not addressing cataracts that develop as you age. If you had cataracts, you’d go to an ophthalmologist for a simple procedure that would restore your vision.

The same thought process should follow in cases of low T where there are unwanted symptoms. In fact, we have a technology for treating low T that’s similar to that of treating cataracts, except that it’s much less invasive and requires zero recovery time. If you’re considering whether TRT is right for you, your Vault provider will help you assess the benefits and risks.

Common Myth #2:

“Once I start testosterone treatment, I won’t have the option to stop.”

Though there are a host of factors unique to each individual to consider, if testosterone treatment helps alleviate your symptoms and makes you feel better, you’ll likely want to continue treatment. But if for some reason you need or want to stop, you can do so at any time. You can just consult with your Vault provider or your primary care doctor to determine the best way to taper off of the hormone over a period of time (usually 3-4 weeks). Tapering off of T is important since your body will need a couple of weeks to restart its natural production of the hormone. Though abruptly stopping treatment isn’t dangerous, it can cause serious discomfort.

If you do decide to taper off of T as recommended by a professional, keep in mind that your testosterone will eventually settle back to its original, pre-treatment levels and any symptoms you suffered previously will likely return. As a result, if testosterone is working to resolve your symptoms, keeping up with treatment is the best way to ensure they don’t resurface.

Common Myth #3:

“Testosterone replacement therapy isn’t safe.”

Testosterone replacement therapy is very safe. In fact, if your testosterone is low, it’s actually less safe to NOT get treated. Recent studies have shown that TRT actually reduces the risk of heart disease, early death, and diabetes in individuals with low T.

As a precaution, Vault providers do not treat men who have had a heart attack in the past six months. Otherwise, it is a safe and effective treatment for all men with low T levels. Vault providers don’t recommend T if you don’t need it. As with any medication, side effects are always possible, so our practitioners discuss any potential issues with every patient.

Common Myth #4:

“Using testosterone will make me lose my hair or grow breasts.”

No, the doses prescribed by Vault providers should not lead to side effects like accelerated hair loss or man boobs. But to be sure, your Vault provider will monitor your levels and adjust your treatment as needed so you can steer clear of unwanted side effects, particularly in regard to growing excess breast tissue. This condition, called gynecomastia, can develop within a small subset of men with an overactive enzyme called aromatase—the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to estrogen.

Though the condition is pretty rare, it can happen, which is why your Vault provider monitors estrogen throughout treatment. If levels begin to rise, your Vault provider will prescribe a medication that blocks the enzyme before any unwanted breast tissue grows.

Hair loss, on the other hand, is a genetic condition. In other words, if you have the male pattern baldness gene, you will eventually lose hair regardless of whether or not you begin TRT. However, in some men, treatment can speed up that process. In that case, your Vault provider can offer topical medication that can help prevent hair loss and PRP injections in our New York offices that help to repair hair growth.

Common Myth #5:

“The symptoms of low T cannot be reversed.”

Incorrect! Most men who have symptoms such as low libido, low energy, inability to gain muscles or lose fat, or erectile issues will notice an improvement after just 3-4 weeks of testosterone therapy. Just as symptoms of underactive thyroid are reversible with treatment, so are the symptoms of low T. In fact, the treatment process of each condition is similar: if your body doesn’t make adequate levels of a particular hormone, you take exogenous hormones to replace what your body isn’t producing. As a result, any symptoms associated are completely reversed.

Ready to take control of your testosterone levels? Vault is here to help. Book an appointment to see how we’re transforming men’s health and making it easier to treat testosterone deficiencies with customized, medical care that fits your life.

Approved by Dr., Myles Spar, Vault Health Inc.'s, Chief Medical Officer

DISCLAIMER: This article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be relied upon for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911 or contact a medical provider immediately. Consistent with Vault Health, Inc.’s website privacy policy, Vault Health, Inc. is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content found at links to other websites. The content of this article represents the views and opinions of the individual author.