Testosterone therapy benefits by the numbers
Testosterone therapy benefits in men with confirmed low testosterone, with effect sizes, trial names and dates from the published clinical evidence.
11 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Evidence guides
These guides set out what the published trials and meta-analyses found about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in men with confirmed low testosterone, with the numbers and the confidence intervals rather than a summary adjective. They include the results that do not favour treatment.
Start from where you are
Each step names the pages and guides for it, and the step after it.
- Understanding symptoms. How assessment works covers what the symptoms are and are not, and what else explains them. Next: what a diagnosis involves.
- Assessment and diagnosis. The Diagnosis guides below set out what each guideline and Canadian label requires and where they differ. Next: compare the ways to get care.
- Comparing care options. The providers table, online and in person, with the same fields for everyone, and what differs between online and in-person care. Next: what it costs.
- Understanding costs. Published charges by category with labelled monthly and annual estimates. Next: what treatment and follow-up involve.
- Treatment and monitoring. Benefits, risks, fertility and the monitoring schedule, then the Treatment and Monitoring guides below for the evidence on each product and what gets checked. If a product is reported short, the shortages page explains what to ask. Then: the Regulation guides for what the rules allow in Canada and elsewhere.
All guides
Evidence
Testosterone, energy and mood: the evidence
Testosterone energy and mood evidence, weighed honestly: quality of life and depression findings alongside the null vitality and fatigue results.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
TRAVERSE trial: testosterone results explained
The TRAVERSE trial results, the FDA label changes that followed in 2025 and 2026, and why Health Canada has issued no safety update since July 2014.
11 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Diagnosis
Low testosterone diagnosis in Canada: the rules
How low testosterone is diagnosed in Canada: symptoms, morning fasting blood tests, a search for the cause, each body's threshold and who should not start.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Treatment
Nasal testosterone, buccal tablets and pellets
Nasal testosterone is authorized in Canada. Buccal tablets and implanted pellets are not. What the trials on each of the three routes actually found.
11 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Oral testosterone: what the capsule trials show
Oral testosterone undecanoate evidence: response rates, the blood pressure signal, hematocrit, the old liver case reports, and what Canada has marketed.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Testosterone and blood sugar: what trials show
Testosterone and blood sugar: what the T4DM trial and meta-analyses report on glucose, HbA1c and body composition in men with confirmed low testosterone.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Testosterone and erectile function: the trials
Testosterone and erectile function: what randomized trials and meta-analyses report for men with confirmed low testosterone, with figures and sources.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Testosterone esters: cypionate vs enanthate
Testosterone esters set how fast the hormone is released. What the trials found for cypionate, enanthate, undecanoate and propionate in Canada.
10 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Testosterone gel and cream: absorption and DHT
Testosterone gel evidence on absorption, DHT and skin transfer to partners and children, which gels Canada has, and why cream exists here only as a pharmacy compound.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Testosterone injections: what the evidence shows
Testosterone injections compared: intramuscular and subcutaneous trial findings, injection frequency gaps, erythrocytosis risk and Canadian supply.
10 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Monitoring
Testosterone and hematocrit by formulation
Testosterone and hematocrit by delivery form: network meta-analysis figures for gel, oral, patch and injection, and the thresholds guidelines use.
11 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Testosterone therapy monitoring: what is checked
What testosterone therapy monitoring involves in Canada: hematocrit, blood pressure, prostate and clotting checks, with the schedules regulators set.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.
Regulation
Compounded testosterone in Canada: the rules
Compounded testosterone has no DIN and no Notice of Compliance. How Canada, the US, the UK and Australia regulate it, and the little evidence published.
10 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Testosterone products available in Canada, 2026
The 15 testosterone products marketed in Canada on 26 October 2026, with DIN, form and company, plus brands cancelled in 2025 and what Canada lacks.
10 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Testosterone products: Canada, US, UK, Australia
Which testosterone products are registered in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, verified in each regulator's own database on 14 September 2026.
11 min. Evidence checked 14 September 2026.
Testosterone rules: Canada, US, EU and Australia
How testosterone rules in Canada compare with the United States, Europe and Australia, with the date of each regulator's most recent action on record.
10 min. Evidence checked 13 September 2026.