I’ve been on TRT since June. When I started I said something about it and found that there are like 5 other dads in my orbit also on it. Try your PCP first. I got a three month supply for 15 bucks. Don’t pay boutique rates unless you have to.
When I was in college, 1968 or 1969, if you went to the College clinic and told the Docs you were, whatever-tired, lack muscle, low libido (but nobody would admit to that!)-he would give you Dianobol! I never took the prescription and gave it away in the gym. I remember the guys that took it got bigger and stronger, but we're puffy and bloated looking. When they went off they lost all the gains. On the other hand, I had a friend go on the 30 day/30 pounds breathing squat regime (Ironman mag). He drank 1 gallon of milk a day, lots of peanut butter, eggs (at that time you could purchase 1 gal milk or 3 dozen eggs $1 each!). In about 6 months he probably gained 40 to 50#s, squat, bench went up 100s of #s. He became a beast! He worked very hard in the weight room to get those gains! So, the problems of steroids vs intelligent training is a recurring cycle through the years depending on "discovery" of solution by each generation. Basically, hard intelligent training vs quick, dubious gains that require a constant readjustment due to screwing with hormones. Hard intelligent work wins every time!
I belong to a Facebook group for active, athletic peri- and post-menopausal women; and in the past year or so I noticed a change. People used to post about training and nutrition tailored to women our age, and tangentially about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which involves estrogen and progesterone. Testosterone is not considered part of menopause HRT, but some doctors will prescribe it to female patients complaining of low libido, low energy, and body composition changes.
Lately, however, it seems like every other post is either "My doctor won't prescribe testosterone; where can I go to get it?" I mean, I can see the allure - women report they suddenly have a sex drive again, they're losing fat and building muscle more easily, they're getting PR's on runs and bike rides. But, there are also a significant number of posts saying "I've been on testosterone for a few months and feel fantastic, but now I have acne, my hairline is receding and my voice is starting to sound weird."
Also in this demographic and when I started MHT I waited a month to add the T. It was like a light switch went off - I mentally was barely functioning for drive, stamina, etc. Yes improved libido but I frankly didn’t care and it wasn’t over the top. I have been on a combination of E, Progesterone and T for over a year with no whack side effects but my doctor adamantly tests levels every 2 months, I started very slow, watched how I was affected and can only be grateful for my doctor actually going above and beyond to work with her patients. Everyone has a different physiology - some folks don’t respond well to straight T, some use DHEA, some don’t do well at all on T. Remember that little to no training in peri/meno for most medical professionals, a bit of gold rush going on now, and we know so little about hormonal profiles in peri and meno - hoping the next generation of women will have more info, more choices and our medical professionals have the tools they need.
One last note: it’s very complex in women, as an interesting anecdote - the first month I was on estrogen and progesterone only, my body used that to make as much testosterone (blood level) that I am comfortable at now. I expect men can do the same thing - make E from T or vice versa and why it’s extremely important to test and see what your body does with exogenous hormones if you decided to go there. Powerful substances.
I would love to hear 2% cover this. I do an incredibly low dose topical testosterone now that I’m in menopause. It has changed everything. We rarely talk about the fact that women naturally produce testosterone so it’s not just formed in the testicles and while compared to men women produce negligible testosterone when we’re in our early 20s we’re producing more testosterone than we are estrogen.
This story is important. It would be interesting to have a companion piece that directly addressed the rest of us.
I can never predict what column is going to get a ton of comments. I thought this would, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up in thoughtfulness.
As usual, it's a well-timed article. As a soon-to-be member of the late-50s club, testosterone comes up a lot in my readings and conversations. It's crossed my mind, even though I have absolutely zero medical need. None. But I know where this is coming from, because it's been adjacent to my life for decades.
When I started working out, the bodybuilders were the greatest guys to talk to and learn from (as opposed to what we now call gym bros). They were for the most part older than me and very candid about their drug regimens and the resulting damage and injuries. I also learned from them there was a difference between being strong and being big, and when some of these guys tried to do something non-gym related, like throw a punch, muscles would tear or shear off the bone. I've know guys whose triceps were like pull blinds.
I've always wanted to be "strong," but never quite got there. My deadlift PR is 410, I'm shooting for 420 soon, and I keep asking myself now that I'm 56: "How much more do I really need to be able to lift?" I've never been able to bench big or squat big. After seeing those bodybuilders' bodies betray them, I knew the juice wasn't worth the squeeze.
Like any middle-aged man, I'm still prone to some vanity, but I learned that my body is built the way it's built. Wide hips, skinny forearms, long-ish neck, none too tall, even if I stand up straight. I'm never going to pass for a bouncer at a nightclub. Steroids or testosterone ain't going to change what nature gave me.
If I could live on Scotch and cheeseburgers, I would, but instead I do all the other "right" things, and some of the hard things, and occasionally flex in the mirror and think "Eh, not to bad old man."
Funny, I was hanging out with a few people last night and this guy I met asked me if I ever ran a cycle. I don't remember what prompted the question. It was like the first time I ever heard someone use the word "gooning" offline, startling and a bit surreal. He told me he tried clomid and was miserable, but used another compound to heal some wrestling issues. He gave me some great advice for stacking and avoiding liver issues on ashwagandha!
What does Dr. Kashey have to say about the matter?
I have never taken them and don't want to.
Functional strength, health and happiness is more important.
I think fix the underlying problems and the rest will take care of itself.
If you can't get it up or feel depressed try fresh food, ample sunshine, and ginseng root tea before you go to a "clinic"
Incidentally, my wife and I raise our own organic pastured meat, so I actually eat lamb testicles when we do our butchering... they're not bad sautéed lightly in homemade butter. I usually feel strong and capable, so I'm not sure whether I noticed a boost or not.
Have any studies been done to verify Pliney's statement?
I’ve been on TRT since June. When I started I said something about it and found that there are like 5 other dads in my orbit also on it. Try your PCP first. I got a three month supply for 15 bucks. Don’t pay boutique rates unless you have to.
When I was in college, 1968 or 1969, if you went to the College clinic and told the Docs you were, whatever-tired, lack muscle, low libido (but nobody would admit to that!)-he would give you Dianobol! I never took the prescription and gave it away in the gym. I remember the guys that took it got bigger and stronger, but we're puffy and bloated looking. When they went off they lost all the gains. On the other hand, I had a friend go on the 30 day/30 pounds breathing squat regime (Ironman mag). He drank 1 gallon of milk a day, lots of peanut butter, eggs (at that time you could purchase 1 gal milk or 3 dozen eggs $1 each!). In about 6 months he probably gained 40 to 50#s, squat, bench went up 100s of #s. He became a beast! He worked very hard in the weight room to get those gains! So, the problems of steroids vs intelligent training is a recurring cycle through the years depending on "discovery" of solution by each generation. Basically, hard intelligent training vs quick, dubious gains that require a constant readjustment due to screwing with hormones. Hard intelligent work wins every time!
I belong to a Facebook group for active, athletic peri- and post-menopausal women; and in the past year or so I noticed a change. People used to post about training and nutrition tailored to women our age, and tangentially about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which involves estrogen and progesterone. Testosterone is not considered part of menopause HRT, but some doctors will prescribe it to female patients complaining of low libido, low energy, and body composition changes.
Lately, however, it seems like every other post is either "My doctor won't prescribe testosterone; where can I go to get it?" I mean, I can see the allure - women report they suddenly have a sex drive again, they're losing fat and building muscle more easily, they're getting PR's on runs and bike rides. But, there are also a significant number of posts saying "I've been on testosterone for a few months and feel fantastic, but now I have acne, my hairline is receding and my voice is starting to sound weird."
Also in this demographic and when I started MHT I waited a month to add the T. It was like a light switch went off - I mentally was barely functioning for drive, stamina, etc. Yes improved libido but I frankly didn’t care and it wasn’t over the top. I have been on a combination of E, Progesterone and T for over a year with no whack side effects but my doctor adamantly tests levels every 2 months, I started very slow, watched how I was affected and can only be grateful for my doctor actually going above and beyond to work with her patients. Everyone has a different physiology - some folks don’t respond well to straight T, some use DHEA, some don’t do well at all on T. Remember that little to no training in peri/meno for most medical professionals, a bit of gold rush going on now, and we know so little about hormonal profiles in peri and meno - hoping the next generation of women will have more info, more choices and our medical professionals have the tools they need.
One last note: it’s very complex in women, as an interesting anecdote - the first month I was on estrogen and progesterone only, my body used that to make as much testosterone (blood level) that I am comfortable at now. I expect men can do the same thing - make E from T or vice versa and why it’s extremely important to test and see what your body does with exogenous hormones if you decided to go there. Powerful substances.
I would love to hear 2% cover this. I do an incredibly low dose topical testosterone now that I’m in menopause. It has changed everything. We rarely talk about the fact that women naturally produce testosterone so it’s not just formed in the testicles and while compared to men women produce negligible testosterone when we’re in our early 20s we’re producing more testosterone than we are estrogen.
This story is important. It would be interesting to have a companion piece that directly addressed the rest of us.
Sounds like Esme and I are about in the same demographic. The NYTimes just came out with a fascinating piece about women using testosterone, mostly for sex drive and energy (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/magazine/testosterone-women-health-sex-libido-menopause.html?unlocked_article_code=1.108.znaD.y1_yEiIKznUM&smid=url-share) - "‘I’m on Fire’: Testosterone Is Giving Women Back Their Sex Drive — and Then Some." I lift heavy, and am often around people using steroids for their lifts, but peri/post menopausal women using it for these other reasons was new to me.
I'll probably continue to not use steroids.
I can never predict what column is going to get a ton of comments. I thought this would, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up in thoughtfulness.
As usual, it's a well-timed article. As a soon-to-be member of the late-50s club, testosterone comes up a lot in my readings and conversations. It's crossed my mind, even though I have absolutely zero medical need. None. But I know where this is coming from, because it's been adjacent to my life for decades.
When I started working out, the bodybuilders were the greatest guys to talk to and learn from (as opposed to what we now call gym bros). They were for the most part older than me and very candid about their drug regimens and the resulting damage and injuries. I also learned from them there was a difference between being strong and being big, and when some of these guys tried to do something non-gym related, like throw a punch, muscles would tear or shear off the bone. I've know guys whose triceps were like pull blinds.
I've always wanted to be "strong," but never quite got there. My deadlift PR is 410, I'm shooting for 420 soon, and I keep asking myself now that I'm 56: "How much more do I really need to be able to lift?" I've never been able to bench big or squat big. After seeing those bodybuilders' bodies betray them, I knew the juice wasn't worth the squeeze.
Like any middle-aged man, I'm still prone to some vanity, but I learned that my body is built the way it's built. Wide hips, skinny forearms, long-ish neck, none too tall, even if I stand up straight. I'm never going to pass for a bouncer at a nightclub. Steroids or testosterone ain't going to change what nature gave me.
If I could live on Scotch and cheeseburgers, I would, but instead I do all the other "right" things, and some of the hard things, and occasionally flex in the mirror and think "Eh, not to bad old man."
Funny, I was hanging out with a few people last night and this guy I met asked me if I ever ran a cycle. I don't remember what prompted the question. It was like the first time I ever heard someone use the word "gooning" offline, startling and a bit surreal. He told me he tried clomid and was miserable, but used another compound to heal some wrestling issues. He gave me some great advice for stacking and avoiding liver issues on ashwagandha!
Thanks for the great article.
What does Dr. Kashey have to say about the matter?
I have never taken them and don't want to.
Functional strength, health and happiness is more important.
I think fix the underlying problems and the rest will take care of itself.
If you can't get it up or feel depressed try fresh food, ample sunshine, and ginseng root tea before you go to a "clinic"
Incidentally, my wife and I raise our own organic pastured meat, so I actually eat lamb testicles when we do our butchering... they're not bad sautéed lightly in homemade butter. I usually feel strong and capable, so I'm not sure whether I noticed a boost or not.
Have any studies been done to verify Pliney's statement?