I'm not over 50 (yet) but I saw this thread and thought I might be able to contribute with my experience. (I hope nobody minds.)

I was diagnosed with low-T about a year ago. I saw 3 different doctors (GP, Endocrinologist, and Urologist) and all 3 ordered to have my testosterone levels checked, as they couldn't believe that my levels were that low. (I was 41, and my level was between 175 - 190 on every test.)

In the choice of treatments, I opted for the intramuscular injections for 3 reasons:
1. Cost is considerably lower. (My insurance doesn't cover it, and $100 gets me a 3 month supply, including syringes)
2. I don't have to worry about transfer to my wife.
3. It's quick and easy, one shot every 10 days.

Someone mentioned earlier about the "ups and downs" of the injections. That's true ONLY in the beginning. After 6 months, my levels had evened out and I wasn't experiencing the highs and lows like I was at the beginning. I still can tell when I'm at the last day or 2 of my cycle, my energy drops just a bit... but 8 out of 10 days, I'm doing great, and the last 2 days I'm doing far better than I was before I started HRT.

The ONLY downside to the injections is (obviously) the needles. These are deep muscular injections of a pretty thick oil. And by deep, I use a 1.5" 22 gauge needle into my thigh. It was scary at first... now it's a peice of cake.

One last bit of advice for those on HRT... talk to your doc about zinc supplements. Zinc is a natural mineral that blocks the conversion of testosterone into estrogen.

There are those of us who need it to sustain a real life. For me, the best way to describe it... it was like that run-down, achey, tired, no-energy-but-you-can't-sleep feeling that you get with the flu. I was not able to function well enough to get through an 8 hour work day. At 42, I had the activity level of an 82 year old.

I hear you--it is unfortunate of so much advertising and of course misunderstandings around this issue--it only started once the delivery method was much easier using all those gels that are on the market now (as opposed to the injections.) Unfortunately these gels don't deliver enough for the one who has a serious deficiency.

Without that hormone the quality of life really suffers and it is actually debilitating--and of course has little to do with sex or at least it is a minor benefit among the so many good ones! Sleeping was a problem for me as well but the worse was those incredible vivid and violent nightmares, the muscle aches were horrendous, the moods were dark and on and on!

Was diagnosed with hypopituitarism (from a concussion) which means a need for hormone replacement for a non functioning thyroid as well!

I want to my urologist today with some concerns mostly around longer recovery times, a little fatigue, etc.

We spent a good 15 minutes discussing my needs and he said exactly what you stated:He's a cyclist also although I'm not sure to what extent. We talked about my riding - speed, distance, etc and frankly, he was blown away.

He stated that I was doing all the right things and he wished that half the guys that he sees were doing what I do: exercise, watch my diet and take care of myself. For the reasons both of you stated, he wouldn't prescribe any kind of testosterone therapy for me.

I left his office feeling pretty good.

No doubt - but for many, it's just the advertising influence.

This is a collection of testimony from respondents to this thread who have actually used prescription testosterone. If people do not wish to use it they should not use it. No reports of undesirable side effects I don't think.

More reports from this thread from those who have used prescription testosterone.