Testosterone Replacement Therapy vs. Clomid for Low T

Posted: February 17, 2023

Low testosterone is a common yet serious condition that affects many men. Untreated low T levels can lead to many disruptive symptoms and health issues like low sex drive and erectile dysfunction. In some cases, low testosterone can even shorten your life. The good news is that there are treatment solutions available to boost your testosterone levels to relieve the effects of low T. The only FDA-approved treatment for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone replacement therapy is the only approved treatment for low T.

Some other clinics are now offering Clomid, a female fertility drug, as an alternative to testosterone replacement therapy for men with low testosterone. There are several problems with this. For one, it hasn’t been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness for men. It is only approved for treating infertility in women. Also, a lot of evidence shows that it’s not as effective as TRT at treating men with Low T. Therefore, men on Clomid may have lower testosterone levels and still suffer from many low testosterone symptoms compared to testosterone replacement therapy. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between testosterone replacement therapy and Clomid for men with low testosterone and why TRT is our go-to treatment for low T.

If you’re suffering from low T symptoms, get customized treatment solutions today – book an appointment at one of our convenient locations to get started.

Treating Low T: Testosterone Replacement Therapy or Clomid?

If you’re looking into low testosterone treatments, then you may have come across two types of medications: testosterone replacement therapy and Clomid. It’s important to know that these are two wildly different medications that work in very different ways. Testosterone replacement therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for hypogonadism (low T). By contrast, Clomid is used off label, meaning it’s not approved for men with low testosterone. Despite this, some companies are now providing Clomid for hypogonadal men instead of testosterone replacement therapy.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy is a well-researched treatment for men with low testosterone levels. This medication is testosterone that you use to increase the levels you already produce in your body. When you use TRT, it supplements what your body is already producing so that you can increase your hormone levels to healthy ranges. As a result, men with low T can relieve their symptoms and also reduce health risks associated with low testosterone levels.

Testosterone replacement therapy is FDA-approved for men with low testosterone. This means the FDA has reviewed rigorous studies on the medication’s safety and effectiveness for men with low T. Therefore, it’s one of the most popular treatment options for men with hypogonadism. There are many forms of testosterone replacement therapy, but long-acting testosterone injections are generally the most convenient for patients and also offer better dosage control for treatment optimization.

What is Clomid?

Some other companies are now marketing Clomid as their go-to treatment for low testosterone. Clomid, or clomiphene citrate, is a female fertility drug. The FDA approves this medication for women to induce ovulation for women who suffer from infertility.

However, Clomid is also sometimes used off label (meaning in a way that isn’t FDA approved) for men with low testosterone. Clomid is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It can basically trick the body into believing there are less sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) in your body than there truly is. In response, the idea is that your body will increase production of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, which may stimulate testosterone production. Some believe that because of this, men with low testosterone can take Clomid to treat low T levels.

A Note on Off Label Drugs like Clomid for Men

As we mentioned, Clomid is off label for men. But what exactly does “off label” mean? On label means that the FDA has approved a drug for a certain kind of use. In this instance, Clomid is on label for treating infertility in women. Using it for low testosterone for men is off label, so the FDA hasn’t approved of its use for men with hypogonadism.

Keep in mind there are some potential risks of off label drug use. For instance, one risk of off label medicines is they might not be as effective or safe as approved medicines. Another potential downside of using off label medications is that many insurance companies categorize them as experimental or investigational. Therefore, they may not cover the costs for off label medicines.

Studies Show Testosterone Replacement Therapy Is More Effective than Clomid for Hypogonadal Men

Since some companies and providers prescribe Clomid for men with low testosterone, many wonder how it compares to testosterone replacement therapy. In fact, one study from 2017 looked at just that. In the study, researchers compared men using testosterone replacement therapy and Clomid for their low testosterone levels. The researchers found that both groups did see increases in their total testosterone levels and improvements in their symptoms. However, testosterone replacement therapy was more effective at raising testosterone to therapeutic levels and was better at reducing symptoms. The men who used Clomid in the study had lower testosterone levels and worse symptoms than the men who used TRT. Additionally, the Clomid group reported worse scores for libido on average. Since low libido is one of the most bothersome symptoms of low testosterone, this was a particularly concerning result from the study.

There’s also little research into the long-term effects of Clomid for men. Most studies look at Clomid use for less than three years. One study from 2019 did look at men using Clomid for three or more years to assess the long-term consequences. In the study, they found that men did typically have higher testosterone levels than before using the medication. However, they also had higher estradiol (estrogen) levels. It’s important to note here that high estrogen in men can cause issues like low libido, erectile dysfunction, and even gynecomastia (enlarged breasts). The researchers also found that the most common side effects of long-term Clomid use in men were mood changes, blurred vision, and breast tenderness.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Treating Low Testosterone

While Clomid may work for men with low T in some cases, testosterone replacement therapy is still the only FDA-approved treatment for hypogonadism. There’s a lot of research backing TRT for men with low T. Also, the above evidence suggests that testosterone therapy works better than Clomid for low testosterone. Because of this, our providers prefer testosterone replacement therapy for men with low T. Our team uses approved, scientifically supported treatments to help you feel great and improve your health.

Achieve Better Health Today with Low T Center

Feel better today with custom treatment solutions from our providers. We make healthcare for men affordable, convenient, and simple so you can take care of your overall health and well-being. Our team at Low T Center has revolutionized treatment for low testosterone. We offer both in office and at home solutions to fit your needs and lifestyle. Schedule your appointment today!

Related Posts

Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.