Testosterone Cypionate Side Effects: What Every Man Should Know

Testosterone cypionate is an injectable hormone medicine used to treat men whose bodies don’t make enough testosterone on their own. You may also hear it referred to by the brand name, Depo-Testosterone.

If you have low testosterone, you could feel tired regularly or lose muscle mass and strength. Some men notice they aren’t as interested in sex. Others develop mood swings or bone weakening over time.

Symptoms like feeling unusually tired, losing strength, reduced sexual desire, and shifts in mood or motivation often get better as your testosterone levels move closer to the normal range your body needs.

Like any medication, testosterone cypionate has side effects that can vary from person to person. Understanding testosterone cypionate side effects ahead of time helps you feel prepared and know when to tell your doctor.

Key Takeaways

• Testosterone cypionate is an injectable treatment used to raise low testosterone levels.
• It is also referred to as Depo-Testosterone.
• It can help improve energy and mood and address decreased muscle mass and sexual health in men with hypogonadism.
• Side effects range from mild issues like acne and swelling to serious risks such as blood clots, heart attack, and prostate problems.
• Men with an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, breast cancer, or severe heart or liver disease shouldn’t use testosterone cypionate.
• This medication can interact with blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and other treatments.
• During treatment, regular checkups and blood tests track hormone levels, red blood cells, and liver health.
• Seek emergency care if you have sudden chest pain, trouble breathing, severe headaches, or unexplained weakness while using testosterone cypionate.
• Always follow your doctor’s instructions, and never change your dose without medical advice.
• Plan if you travel so you don’t miss doses or store the medicine incorrectly.

What Does Testosterone Cypionate Do?

Testosterone cypionate is used to treat hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is the medical term for when the testes don’t make enough testosterone.

Sometimes testosterone cypionate is prescribed to help with delayed puberty in teenage boys and the development of male sex organs. Some doctors also use it for testosterone therapy in transgender men.

How Is Testosterone Cypionate Administered?

Testosterone cypionate is an injection into a large muscle. Most people get them in the buttocks. Depending on your treatment plan, you might need a shot every one to four weeks.

The main goal of testosterone cypionate treatment is to replace what your body isn’t making on its own. In many cases, this helps rebuild muscle, improve energy, boost libido, and strengthen bones.

Common Testosterone Cypionate Side Effects

Like any hormone therapy, testosterone cypionate can cause changes in your body. Some are mild and include the injection site. Others might be serious.

A few common side effects of testosterone cypionate include:

• Injection site reaction, redness, swelling, or soreness after a shot
• Acne, especially on your back or shoulders
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in your feet or ankles from fluid buildup
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Headaches, nausea, or shifts in mood
• Skin that looks darker in some areas
• Higher red blood cell count, which can thicken the blood

If you notice these problems but they aren’t severe, let your doctor know at your next visit. But if symptoms last or get worse, it’s important to seek medical advice.

More Serious Side Effects of Testosterone Cypionate

Some side effects can be dangerous. 

Call for help immediately if you have:

• Sudden chest pain or tightness
• Trouble breathing or severe dizziness
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Severe pain in your belly
• Dark urine

Some men develop fluid retention and sleep apnea, or see it get worse with testosterone therapy. Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing during sleep, which can be serious.

Testosterone can also make an enlarged prostate grow faster. If you already have heart disease or high blood pressure, your doctor will want to monitor you closely.

The TRAVERSE study questioned the long-held belief that testosterone cypionate raises the risk of heart attack or stroke. Researchers monitored a large group of men receiving testosterone therapy and compared them to men who did not use it. 

Over time, they found no clear increase in heart attacks or strokes among those treated with testosterone. When they controlled for metabolic problems and existing heart disease, the data showed improvements in waist circumference and cholesterol levels.

The study also evaluated prostate health outcomes. It found no increased risk of prostate cancer in men treated with testosterone replacement therapy compared to placebo. While some participants did report a slight increase in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms, such as urinary urgency or frequency, these issues rarely required any serious interventions like surgery or hospitalization.

These findings are consistent with the saturation model, which proposes that although prostate tissue is sensitive to androgens, it only responds to testosterone up to a certain threshold. Once all androgen receptors in the prostate are occupied, or “saturated”, further increases in testosterone levels do not stimulate additional growth, whether benign or cancerous.

These findings suggest that testosterone cypionate, when used as prescribed, does not carry the same cardiovascular or prostate risks once believed.

Who Should Avoid Testosterone Cypionate?

This medication isn’t safe for everyone. Doctors won’t prescribe testosterone cypionate if you have or have had:

• Active prostate cancer 
• Breast cancer
• Serious kidney or liver disease
• Blood vessel problems
• Poorly controlled heart problems

Children under 12 shouldn’t get testosterone injections either. They can interfere with bone growth.

Stopping Testosterone Cypionate

You should never just stop taking Depo-testosterone suddenly. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as unusual tiredness, irritability, low mood, difficulty focusing, loss of motivation, decreased libido, insomnia, and muscle aches.

You should follow a tapering schedule that gradually reduces your dosage over time, until you aren't taking it anymore.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Testosterone cypionate can cause possible drug interactions with other medications. For example, if you take blood thinners like warfarin, your doctor may need to adjust your dose. Testosterone can change how your body forms clotting factors, and taking it may put you at increased risk of bleeding.

It can also affect diabetes medication, blood pressure drugs, or steroids. Even over-the-counter pills and herbal supplements might cause problems when combined with testosterone.

To stay safe, keep an up-to-date list of any medicines, other drugs, and supplements you take. Take the list to each appointment to discuss with your healthcare provider.

Monitoring During Treatment

People who use testosterone cypionate need regular checkups. You’ll probably have blood tests to track:

• Testosterone blood levels
• Red blood cell counts
• Liver function
• Cholesterol and blood sugar

Your doctor will also check your blood pressure, since testosterone can increase it over time.

Possible Costs and Extra Supplies

Testosterone cypionate comes in generic and brand-name forms. Generic is usually cheaper, but prices vary for the brand Depo-testosterone, depending on where you buy it. Some insurance plans help cover the cost.

Remember, you’ll also need syringes, needles, and a sharps container. These items add to the overall expense.

With Feel30, your prescription, supplies, and support are included in a flat monthly price. There are no surprises or extra fees.

Traveling With Testosterone Injections

If you plan to travel, keep your medication in the original box with the pharmacy label. Airports can ask for proof that it’s a prescription drug.

You must store testosterone cypionate at room temperature. If you’re traveling somewhere hot, you may need a cooler. Injections are usually scheduled every two to four weeks. Plan so you don’t miss doses.

When to Get Help

Some side effects require urgent medical care. Call 911 or go to the ER if you have:

• Chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe weakness
• Sudden leg swelling. This could be caused by blood clots and requires immediate medical treatment
• Severe headaches or confusion
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Painful or prolonged erections

These can be signs of a heart attack, stroke, liver damage, or other serious problems.

‍

‍

References

1. Mayo Clinic. Testosterone (Intramuscular Route) Side Effects. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. MedlinePlus. Testosterone Cypionate Injection. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
3. FDA. Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) Injection, for intramuscular use. Prescribing Information.
4. Endocrine Society. Testosterone Therapy in Men with Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.
5. Cleveland Clinic. Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
6. Drugs.com. Testosterone Cypionate – Uses, Side Effects, and Interactions.
7. American Urological Association. Guideline: Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency.
8. Medscape. Testosterone Cypionate: Dosing, Administration, and Monitoring.
9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Testosterone Information.
10. National Institutes of Health. Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment.