Urology
Medicines for Low testosterone (male hypogonadism)
When the testicles produce too little testosterone, sometimes causing tiredness, low libido, erectile problems, low mood and reduced muscle strength — diagnosed on a morning blood test plus symptoms, and treated with testosterone replacement only when there is genuine, confirmed deficiency, not for normal ageing.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Low testosterone (male hypogonadism)?
Low testosterone, or male hypogonadism, means the testicles are not producing enough of the main male hormone, testosterone. When it is genuinely low, it can cause tiredness and low energy, reduced sex drive, difficulty getting or keeping an erection, low mood or irritability, and a gradual loss of muscle bulk and strength.
- How it is treated: The first step is to be sure the diagnosis is right: matching symptoms to a low testosterone level on a morning blood test, repeated and confirmed, and looking for an underlying cause in the testicles or pituitary gland that may itself need attention.
- Self-care: Reaching and keeping a healthy weight, staying physically active with a mix of strength and aerobic exercise, managing type 2 diabetes and other long-term conditions, getting enough good-quality sleep, limiting alcohol and not smoking all support healthy testosterone levels and general wellbeing — and in men carrying excess weight, weight loss alone can meaningfully raise testosterone.
- When to seek help: See your GP if you have persistent tiredness, low sex drive, erectile problems, low mood, or loss of muscle and strength — these can have many causes, and a proper assessment, including a morning blood test, is the way to find out whether low testosterone is genuinely part of the picture.
What it is
Low testosterone, or male hypogonadism, means the testicles are not producing enough of the main male hormone, testosterone. When it is genuinely low, it can cause tiredness and low energy, reduced sex drive, difficulty getting or keeping an erection, low mood or irritability, and a gradual loss of muscle bulk and strength. The cause may lie in the testicles themselves, or in the pituitary gland and brain signals that control them, and it is more common in men who are living with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or certain long-term illnesses, as well as becoming a little more frequent with age. Because the symptoms are vague and overlap with many everyday causes of feeling tired or low, testosterone level alone is not enough — diagnosis rests on symptoms together with a blood test taken in the morning, when levels are highest, usually repeated and confirmed before any conclusion is drawn. It is important to separate true deficiency, which deserves treatment, from the modest changes of normal ageing, which do not.
How it is treated
The first step is to be sure the diagnosis is right: matching symptoms to a low testosterone level on a morning blood test, repeated and confirmed, and looking for an underlying cause in the testicles or pituitary gland that may itself need attention. Where there is genuine, proven deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy — given as gels or injections — can relieve symptoms such as low libido, fatigue and low mood, and is started and reviewed by a clinician with experience in this area. Replacement is not recommended simply for the normal decline of ageing or for non-specific tiredness without confirmed deficiency, and it is not a general "boosting" or fitness treatment. Once started, treatment is monitored over time — checking symptoms, the blood count (as testosterone can thicken the blood), and prostate health including PSA where appropriate. Just as important is treating the conditions that travel with low testosterone: weight management, and good control of type 2 diabetes and other health problems, can themselves improve levels and wellbeing.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Low testosterone (male hypogonadism)
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Low testosterone (male hypogonadism)
Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Reaching and keeping a healthy weight, staying physically active with a mix of strength and aerobic exercise, managing type 2 diabetes and other long-term conditions, getting enough good-quality sleep, limiting alcohol and not smoking all support healthy testosterone levels and general wellbeing — and in men carrying excess weight, weight loss alone can meaningfully raise testosterone.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See your GP if you have persistent tiredness, low sex drive, erectile problems, low mood, or loss of muscle and strength — these can have many causes, and a proper assessment, including a morning blood test, is the way to find out whether low testosterone is genuinely part of the picture. It is far better to seek a professional assessment than to buy testosterone products or supplements online, which can be unsafe, unmonitored and may do harm — including reducing your own sperm production and fertility. Mention it too if you have a known testicular or pituitary problem, or conditions such as obesity or type 2 diabetes that are linked to low testosterone, so the whole picture can be looked at together.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Low testosterone (male hypogonadism): frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for low testosterone?
When there is genuine, confirmed deficiency, the treatment is testosterone replacement therapy, usually given as a gel applied to the skin or as injections. It is started only when a morning blood test, repeated and confirmed, shows low testosterone alongside matching symptoms — not for the normal dip of ageing or for non-specific tiredness on its own. Once started, it is monitored over time, checking symptoms, the blood count and prostate health. Importantly, testosterone is not a fertility treatment and can reduce sperm production, so it should always be used under medical guidance rather than bought online.
Is low testosterone just a normal part of ageing?
Testosterone does decline gradually with age, but that modest, normal change is different from true deficiency. Testosterone replacement is not recommended simply for ageing or for vague tiredness without a confirmed low level on a morning blood test plus matching symptoms. The distinction matters because treating men who are not genuinely deficient exposes them to the downsides of treatment without clear benefit. This is why diagnosis relies on repeated, confirmed blood tests rather than symptoms alone, and why a careful assessment comes before any decision to treat.
How is low testosterone diagnosed?
Diagnosis combines symptoms — such as low sex drive, erectile problems, fatigue and low mood — with a blood test for testosterone taken in the morning, when levels are naturally highest. Because a single result can be misleading, the test is usually repeated and confirmed before a diagnosis is made. Further tests may look for an underlying cause in the testicles or the pituitary gland, and for associated conditions such as obesity or type 2 diabetes. This careful approach makes sure that treatment is reserved for men who are genuinely deficient and will benefit.
Does testosterone treatment affect fertility?
Yes, and this is an important point. Taking testosterone can actually reduce the body's own sperm production and lower fertility, because it signals the body to make less of its own. For this reason testosterone is not a treatment for fertility problems, and men who wish to father children need to discuss this with their clinician before starting, as different approaches may be needed. It also underlines why testosterone should never be bought and used without medical supervision — the consequences for fertility, and for health more broadly, can be significant.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- Society for Endocrinology: Testosterone and male hypogonadism.
- British Association of Urological Surgeons: Low testosterone (hypogonadism).
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