Planning to take a break from natural testosterone boosters? Perhaps you’re worried about the consequences of doing so. You may be wondering, “What happens after I stop taking testosterone supplements?”
While the effects of testosterone supplements take some time to kick in, the symptoms after stopping usually set in more quickly. Let’s dive deeper into the effects of coming off testosterone supplementation.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Testosterone Supplements?
When you don’t use T-boosters anymore, your body will likely revert back to its pre-testosterone booster self. If your testosterone levels drop, you might notice low testosterone symptoms, such as:
Muscular Weakness and Atrophy
When you hit pause on testosterone supplementation, the lack of this male hormone may eventually result in a reduction of muscle mass and changes in strength levels [1]. Taking natural muscle-building pills might help counter this effect.
Fat Accumulation Leading To Weight Gain
Testosterone promotes muscle synthesis and reduces body fat. Accordingly, when you stop taking testosterone supplements, the body tends to store more fat, which may gradually lead to weight gain [2].
Reduced Sex Drive and Libido
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. So, a decline in T-levels will probably affect your sex drive and your performance in the bedroom [3].
Thinning Hair
Testosterone is responsible for regulating hair growth in men. An imbalance in testosterone levels could have an impact on your hair quality. For example, thinning hair is a common consequence of stopping testosterone supplements [4].
Possible Side Effects When You Stop Using Testosterone Supplements
To sum things up, when you stop taking T-boosting supplements, you might encounter some of these minor side effects:
Weight gain
Muscle loss
Headaches
Decreased libido
Depression
Insomnia
Irritability and mood swings
Loss of appetite
Lack of mental clarity
Difference Between Coming Off Testosterone Supplements vs. Testosterone Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy (a.k.a. TRT) involves synthetic testosterone. On the other hand, the best testosterone booster supplements are made from science-backed ingredients—like plant-based extracts, vitamins, and minerals—that encourage your body to make more of this male hormone naturally.
As a result, the consequences of stopping supplement use are usually milder than hitting the brakes on TRT. For instance, a study shows that TRT withdrawal symptoms may include obesity and worsening of residual voiding volume and bladder wall thickness [5].
Is It Safe To Stop Taking Testosterone Boosters?
Stopping medical treatment, including TRT, without the supervision of a qualified medical professional is not recommended. However, the average natural testosterone booster is created from natural ingredients, just like fat-burning supplements. That’s why they are unlikely to cause major side effects when you stop taking them.
Keep in mind that your body may feel uncomfortable if you abruptly stop taking testosterone supplements, especially if you’ve been using them for a long time.
How To Stop Taking Testosterone Supplements Safely
Instead of going cold turkey, you can gradually reduce the amount of testosterone pills you take until you’ve completely stopped. Weaning off testosterone supplements might help your body better adjust to the upcoming change.
Talk to your doctor if you need more advice on how to minimize the effects of discontinuing testosterone supplementation.
How Long Do Testosterone Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Testosterone withdrawal symptoms typically last from several days to two weeks. However, natural supplements may not have as long-lasting withdrawal symptoms as synthetic testosterone or steroids.
FAQs on Testosterone Supplements
If you still have questions about T-boosters, we’ll tackle some of them below!
Is It Bad To Take Testosterone Boosters at 30?
No, it’s not bad to take testosterone supplements if you’re around 30-years-old, since these are typically designed for adult users. If you’re still a minor, though, it might not be a good idea to do so since your body is still likely producing sufficient levels of testosterone on its own.
What Are the Side Effects of Testosterone Supplements?
The potential side effects of testosterone supplements may vary depending on each product and the ingredients in the formula. Nevertheless, some possible effects include sleep problems, mood changes, and liver or kidney issues.
Does Testosterone Increase Blood Pressure?
It depends. On one hand, some research shows that testosterone might help improve lipid profiles [6]. On the other hand, the male hormone might possibly lead to an increase in arterial blood pressure but only if testosterone use has been abused [7].
Are Testosterone Supplements the Same as TRT?
No, testosterone supplements and TRT are not the same thing. Testosterone replacement therapy directly provides your body with synthetic testosterone. In contrast, T-boosters don’t contain actual testosterone; they only feature natural ingredients that stimulate your body to create more of this male hormone. Some even double as the best pre-workout supplements.
The Bottom Line: What Happens After I Stop Taking Testosterone Supplements?
Facing a few mild withdrawal effects after you stop testosterone supplements is common. For this reason, withdrawing gradually from testosterone boosters can be beneficial to the body. What’s more, it’s easier to wean off natural testosterone supplements compared to testosterone therapy.
At the end of the day, giving the body everything it needs to build testosterone, managing stress levels, eating healthy food, and working out regularly can help boost natural testosterone production!
References
Shin, Myung Jun, et al. “Testosterone and Sarcopenia.” The World Journal of Men’s Health, Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology, Sept. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6119844/.
Fui, Mark Ng Tang, et al. “Lowered Testosterone in Male Obesity: Mechanisms, Morbidity and Management.” Asian Journal of Andrology, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955331/.
M;, Rastrelli G;Corona G;Maggi. “Testosterone and Sexual Function in Men.” Maturitas, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29704917/.
Kische, Hanna, et al. “Sex Hormones and Hair Loss in Men from the General Population of Northeastern Germany.” JAMA Dermatology, American Medical Association, 1 Sept. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5817427/.
Yassin A; Nettleship JE; Talib RA; Almehmadi Y; Doros G; “Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy Withdrawal and Re-Treatment in Hypogonadal Elderly Men upon Obesity, Voiding Function and Prostate Safety Parameters.” The Aging Male: the Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Aging Male, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26742589/.
Huisman, H. W., Schutte, A. E., Van Rooyen, J. M., Malan, N. T., Malan, L., Schutte, R., & Kruger, A. (2006). The influence of testosterone on blood pressure and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a black South African population. Ethnicity & Disease, 16(3), 693–698. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16937606/
Barton, M., Prossnitz, E. R., & Meyer, M. R. (2012). Testosterone and Secondary Hypertension: New Pieces to the Puzzle. Hypertension, 59(6), 1101–1103. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.195149