Understanding Hormone Therapy for Men

If you’re reading this, you may have heard about testosterone therapy, men’s hormone

replacement, or TRT, and wondered: is this something for me? At Wellspring, we aim to help

men understand when hormone therapy might make sense, how it works, and what changes

people typically experience. This is not medical advice, but rather an educational look at the

facts.

What Is Hormone Therapy for Men?

Hormone therapy for men—often called testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), is a

medical approach to restoring testosterone (and sometimes related hormones) to healthier

levels when the body is not producing enough on its own. More broadly, men’s hormone replacement therapy (MHRT) can involve bioidentical hormones, formulations, and delivery methods (creams, lozenges, pellets, injections). The goal is to help men whose hormonal imbalance is causing symptoms that affect quality of life.

Who Might Be a Candidate?

Not every man is a candidate for hormone therapy. At Wellspring, we look for certain signs,

symptoms, and lab values in making that assessment. Common criteria include:

● Persistent symptoms that align with low testosterone (even after ruling out other

causes). These might include fatigue, low libido, mood changes, decreased muscle

mass, weight gain, or difficulty concentrating.

● Confirmed low testosterone levels on lab testing (usually measured more than

once). Many guidelines consider total testosterone levels below ~300 ng/dL (or other

clinic-specific thresholds) plus compatible symptoms to indicate hypogonadism.

● Exclusion of other causes (sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, chronic illness, medications)

that might explain low energy or other symptoms.

● A medical history and risk profile that allow safe monitoring (e.g. prostate health,

cardiovascular evaluation, hematocrit, liver function).

● A discussion of fertility goals, because testosterone therapy can suppress sperm

production and reduce fertility in many cases.

So in short: it’s not about age alone. Even younger men with pituitary or testicular issues, or

those recovering from injuries, may face low testosterone. Others may notice decline in their

40s, 50s, or beyond.

Why Do Testosterone Levels Decline?

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, typically at a slow rate. But aside from aging,

other factors can contribute:

● Primary testicular disorders (injury, infection, chemotherapy, mumps orchitis)

● Secondary hypogonadism (pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction)

● Chronic illnesses (diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome)

● Medications (some steroids, opioids)

● Sleep disorders (especially obstructive sleep apnea)

● Lifestyle factors (poor diet, lack of exercise, chronic stress)

When levels fall low enough to disrupt normal physiologic functions, that’s when symptoms

often emerge, and that’s where well-supervised hormone therapy may play a role.

What Does the Treatment Look Like?

If you and your provider at Wellspring agree to proceed, here's what a typical hormone therapy plan might look like:

1. Baseline evaluation and labs

○ Hormone panel (total and free testosterone, SHBG, LH/FSH, estradiol, DHEA)

○ Hematocrit, hemoglobin, kidney and liver function

○ PSA levels to evaluate prostate health

○ Metabolic health, thyroid, and other relevant checks

2. Choice of formulation and delivery method

○ Bioidentical topical creams (daily application)

○ Bioidentical lozenges or troches (daily use)

○ Bioidentical pellet implants (small hormone pellets placed under the skin)

○ Synthetic injectable testosterone (e.g. testosterone enanthate or cypionate)

3. Each method has pros and cons in terms of convenience, consistency, absorption, and

cost.

4. Dosing and titration

A common approach is to start with a conservative dose, then monitor testosterone

levels and symptoms over time, and adjust upward or downward as needed.

5. Ongoing monitoring

Regular follow-up with labs (e.g. every 3–6 months initially) is critical. Providers monitor

testosterone, hematocrit, PSA, liver function, and other safety markers. Adjustments are

made to maintain balance and minimize risk.

6. Symptom review and adjustments

Side effects or unwanted changes (e.g. acne, fluid retention, mood swings) may require

dose modification or adjunctive therapy.

7. Long-term follow-up

Because testosterone therapy is often used over years, ongoing evaluation ensures your

regimen remains safe and effective.

What Changes Do People Often See?

One of the most important questions: what kinds of improvements have men reported when

hormone therapy is well managed? Based on clinical experience and literature (without

promising guarantees), men commonly experience:

● Increased libido and improved sexual function (erections, desire)

● More energy, reduced fatigue

● Improved mood and mental clarity

● Gains in muscle mass and strength, improved body composition

● Better bone density or slower bone loss

● Possibly improved metabolic markers (e.g. insulin sensitivity, lipids)

Many of these changes take time — months rather than days. Because each person is different (age, baseline hormonal status, comorbidities), results vary.

What About Risks and Limitations?

Because hormone therapy is a medical treatment, it carries potential risks. That’s why working with a clinician and monitoring closely is essential. These risks and limitations will be discussed during the consultation.

Why Consider Hormone Therapy at Wellspring?

At Wellspring, we emphasize:

● Personalized evaluation — no “one-size-fits-all” approach

● Data-driven decision making (lab values + symptom correlation)

● Transparent discussion of pros, cons, and alternatives

● Comprehensive monitoring and follow-up

● Alignment with best practices and safety guidelines

Our goal is not to make dramatic promises, but to offer thoughtful, evidence-informed care to men who truly may benefit from hormone optimization.

When to Talk to Us

You might consider contacting Wellspring if:

● You’ve been experiencing fatigue, low libido, muscle loss, or mood changes persistently

● You suspect “low T” and want to get tested

● You want a consultation to see if you’re a candidate for hormone therapy

● You want a safe, monitored path rather than trial-and-error prescriptions

If you’re curious, the first step is usually establishing care with a doctor at Wellspring. This

includes comprehensive labs and health evaluation to see whether hormone therapy is

appropriate.

Key Takeaways (and Keywords in Focus)

● Testosterone therapy / TRT / men’s hormone replacement is designed for men

whose bodies no longer make adequate testosterone and who are experiencing

symptoms.

● The decision is based on lab values + symptoms (not age alone).

● Treatment can take the form of topical creams, lozenges, hormone pellets, or injections.

● Benefits may include better libido, energy, mood, muscle, and bone, though results vary.

● Close monitoring is required.

● Wellspring prioritizes personalized, evidence-based, safely monitored hormone care.