UBCNews - Business - Is TRT a Lifelong Commitment? Real Benefits and Risks of Long-Term Therapy

Episode Date: March 13, 2026

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling a question that a lot of men ask when they're considering testosterone replacement therapy: How long should you actually be on TRT? And more importantly, what are the long-term effects? I've got our guest here who's been following the research closely. So, let's start with the big one - is TRT something you take for a few months, or are we talking years here? TRT Australia City: Hurstville Address: 7–11 The Avenue Website: https://trtaustralia.com/x

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling a question that a lot of men ask when they're considering testosterone replacement therapy. How long should you actually be on TRT? And more importantly, what are the long-term effects? I've got our guest here who's been following the research closely. So let's start with the big one. Is TRT something you take for a few months or are we talking years here? Right, so here's the thing. TRT is generally not a short-term fix for most of the most of the first-term fix. men, it's an indefinite treatment. The reason is pretty straightforward. TRT doesn't cure low testosterone. Your body isn't suddenly going to start producing normal levels again just because you've been on therapy for a while. If you stop those symptoms, the fatigue, low sex drive, all of that,

they typically come right back. So it's more of a lifelong commitment then? Exactly. Now there are exceptions. Your doctor will check in with you at the three to six-month mark. If you're not feeling any better symptom-wise, even if your levels look okay, they might recommend stopping. But for men who do see improvements, and I mean real measurable improvements in how they feel, the advice is usually to continue indefinitely with proper monitoring. That makes sense. So let's talk about who might benefit from long-term TRT. Who's the ideal candidate here? Men with confirmed testosterone deficiency who experience real symptom improvement are the best candidates. We're talking about guys who've had thorough blood work showing low

T and who've noticed benefits like increased energy, restored sex drive, reduced body fat, and better muscle mass. Often these are men over 40, though age alone isn't the deciding factor. And what about the benefits? I mean, if someone's committing to this for the long haul, what can they realistically expect? The benefits can be pretty significant. You're looking at improved sexual function, better erectile function for many men. There's increased lean body mass and muscle strength, which is huge for fitness and daily life. Bone mineral density improves too. Actually, the most significant increase often happens in the first year of treatment. And then there are the mental benefits, better mood, higher energy levels, improvements in memory and focus. Some men report reduced

brain fog. Mm-hmm. Go on. One thing I find interesting is that men often tell me the mental clarity is what surprised them most. They expected the physical changes, but the cognitive boost that catches them off guard. But let's be real. There have to be risks with long-term use, right? Definitely. TRT comes with side effects that you need to be aware of. Common ones include acne and oily skin, lower sperm count, which can cause infertility, testicular shrinkage, and breast enlargement. There's also an increased risk of blood clots because TRT can elevate your red blood cell count, which thickens the blood. And I've heard there's been some concern about cardiovascular risk.

What does the research actually say? Yeah, that's been a hot topic. The FDA issued a warning back in 2015 about possible cardiovascular risk, but more recent research has painted a more reassuring picture. There was a large trial, the Traverse study, published in 2023, that followed men for a median of 22 months and found TRT was non-inferioring. to placebo for major cardiac events. The cardiovascular picture is complex and still evolving,

but current evidence suggests that for properly selected patients, the risk may not be as significant as once feared. I see. Interesting. You know I had one patient joke that he spent more time worrying about heart attacks than he did about his actual symptoms. Turned out the monitoring showed he was doing just fine. That point about proper patient selection sets up our next piece, who absolutely shouldn't be on TRT.

But first, a quick word from our sponsor. If you're looking into testosterone replacement therapy, finding expert guidance matters. TRT Australia specializes in doctor-managed pharmacy-prescribed testosterone therapy delivered Australia-wide. Their telehealth model includes detailed blood testing, personalized medical consultations, and ongoing treatment shipped directly to your door.

With ongoing medical supervision and regular follow-ups, they make the process simple and accessible. To learn more, visit TRT Australia.com. Picking up on proper patient selection, who are the men who should avoid TRT altogether? There are absolute contraindications. Men with prostate cancer or breast cancer should not have TRT. Also, men with severe congestive heart failure

or above normal red blood cell counts. These are conditions that TRT could make worse. There are also relative contraindications, things like severe sleep apnea, recent cardiovascular events, or polycythemia, where doctors need to weigh the risk very carefully. So if someone is on long-term TRT, what kind of monitoring do they need? Have you ever wondered how often you'd need to see your doctor on this therapy? Regular monitoring is essential. You'll typically have your testosterone levels checked every six to 12 months once you're stabilized. your doctor will also monitor your red blood cell levels.

That's your hematocrit and hemoglobin because of that clotting risk we mentioned. Prostate-specific antigen levels need checking too, along with digital rectal examinations to screen for prostate cancer. If you had osteoporosis at the start, bone density gets measured within one to two years. You know, I think one thing people wonder about is whether the benefits are worth the commitment. What's been your experience? Oh, absolutely worth discussing. I remember working with a guy in his mid-50s who came in feeling completely drained. No motivation, struggling in the gym, despite doing everything right.

He was worried about the long-term commitment. But after six months on TRT, he told me he felt like himself again, like he'd gotten his life back. For him, the improved quality of life made the ongoing treatment completely worth it. That's powerful. So to everyone listening, if you're considering TRT, what's the one thing you should know going in? I'd say this. TRT requires a real partnership with your doctor. It's ongoing blood work, regular check-ins, dose adjustments. You're committing to a treatment that needs active management.

In other words, you're signing up for consistent medical oversight and collaboration. But for men with genuine testosterone deficiency, the benefits, the energy, the men, clarity, the physical improvements can genuinely transform daily life. Right. And it sounds like the research on long-term safety is evolving. The cardiovascular data is looking better, but we still need more decades-long studies. Exactly. Long-term studies are still limited. The good news is that for men without contraindications who are properly monitored, TRT appears to be relatively safe, but it's vital to have those conversations with your health care provider about your individual risk profile.

Well, there you have it. TRT is often a lifelong commitment, but with proper monitoring and the right candidate, it can offer real sustained benefits. Thanks for breaking this down with me today. My pleasure. It's an important conversation for a lot of men to have.