Enclomiphene vs Testosterone Injections

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 5 min read

With so many testosterone treatment options on the market, it can at times be hard to find the right one. You may have tried testosterone replacement treatment or AndroGel for low T. Or perhaps you’ve tried testosterone restoration therapy. 

If you have tried these options without success, you do have other options. Enclomiphene and testosterone injections are popular options that many people try. Enclomiphene is an effective treatment, because it restores serum total testosterone to normal levels, while returning LH and FSH levels to normal range. 

Enclomiphene has primarily been used to treat men with secondary hypogonadism. It is used to improve hormone levels that are essential to proper male functioning. 

Enclomiphene

Enclomiphene is also used to maintain sperm levels and increase testosterone levels in men with secondary hypogonadism. However, the drug came under scrutiny in 2015. The manufacturer of Enclomiphene received a letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informing them that the drug could not be approved at the time. However, it eventually gained approval in 2016.

Available in both liquid and capsule form, enclomiphene has been found to be just as effective as topical testosterone. Enclomiphene  is a “non-steroidal estrogen receptor antagonist.” Non-steroidal estrogen receptor antagonists are also used to treat conditions, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. 

According to RXList, Enclomiphene comes in two different dosages. It comes in a 12.5 milligram pill and a 25-milligram pill. 

Testosterone injections 

Testosterone is a hormone produced by your sex hormones. When it is in scarce quantities, it can cause a number of problems. Getting testosterone injections can boost a man’s testosterone levels. 

Testosterone injections are used to raise testosterone levels in the body. Belonging to a class of drugs called androgen hormones, testosterone injections come under the names Aveed, Andro-L.A., Depo-Testosterone, Virilon, and Delatestryl.

Testosterone injections are typically injected into a muscle. It is an intramuscular medication. It can be injected into a few different spots on the body. Health experts recommend injecting testosterone shots into the upper arm, upper thigh, or the buttocks. The medication absorbs quickly into the bloodstream and is typically injected at a 90-degree angle. 

If you are injecting into your stomach, choose an area that is at least one inch away from your belly button. Do not place it above your belly button. Pinch a piece of skin, and insert the needle. Once you have injected the medication, remove the needle from your skin.  

But which one of these treatments is better? A 2014 study looked into the efficacy and satisfaction of patients who received the testosterone injection. 

Men who received testosterone injections reported satisfaction with their results. Participants in the study received less than 300 ng/dl. When compared to men who did not receive the testosterone injection, those who received it reported a significant increase in their testosterone levels. Each participant received a different dosage of the testosterone injection, yet all participants reported positive results. 

One key benefit of enclomiphene treatments is the fact that it raises testosterone levels by raising follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) without affecting sperm count. Enclomiphene also allows men to remain fertile throughout treatment. Sometimes enclomiphene is used alongside other supplements, blood testing, and support from the community. 

Sadly, men cannot avoid an eventual decline in testosterone, since this decline accelerates as men age. Testicular functions decline gradually. However, experts caution you from turning to testosterone replacement therapy or TRT. At one point, TRT was the only treatment possible for the treatment of low testosterone.

Unfortunately, many men turned to this therapy only to find that TRT causes testicular shrinkage or testicular atrophy, decreased sperm count, and acne. These undesirable side effects led many to seek other options, such as enclomiphene. 

But how does enclomiphene differ from testosterone injections? Is one better than the other? 

According to experts, enclomiphene works by binding to hypothalamic estrogen receptors, which are found in the brain. This makes the body think that it is “not getting enough estrogen.” This triggers the body to produce follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). 

But how exactly does enclomiphene affect testosterone levels? According to Maximus Tribe, enclomiphene raises serum testosterone levels by raising levels of FSH and LH. Because of this, many experts suggest that you try enclomiphene as a first line of treatment for low testosterone. It is especially preferred, because it has no effect on fertility, which is a side effect of some other treatments. 

Unlike some treatments, enclomiphene has been found to increase sperm count. Experts tout the many benefits of enclomiphene. Potential benefits include increased muscle mass, improvements in mood, and improved cognitive functioning. In fact, studies have found that increased testosterone levels are associated with a better quality of life.

Those who take this medication often find that they are more social, have better concentration, and more self-assurance. 

The testosterone injection boasts many benefits as well. It absorbs quickly into the bloodstream. However, it also comes with a few considerations. Testosterone injections come with a number of interactions. These injections can interact with diabetes medications, Oxyphenbutazone, Propranolol, and medications that prevent blood clots. 

Medications like prednisone and cortisone should be avoided if you get testosterone injections. Of course, it is important to watch for signs of complications if you receive testosterone injections. Because these injections are intended only for men with low testosterone, they are not recommended for some men. Some men who have taken this medication reported having strokes and heart attacks as a result of its usage. 

You should seek help immediately if you have changes in vision, confusion, breathing problems, or tightness in your chest. One severe complication from testosterone injections is feeling off balance. If you are considering getting testosterone injections, it is a good idea to check with your doctor first. He or she can discuss with you the benefits and risks of taking this medication. 

Testosterone injections can affect your blood sugar levels. This can be problematic for men with diabetes. If you have diabetes, but still want to try testosterone injections, you should discuss this and dosage modifications with your doctor. He or she may recommend a change in dosage before you proceed with therapy.

Women should be cautious about testosterone injections. Testosterone injections may interact with pregnancy. There is the potential for the injection to cause harm to an unborn baby. Your method of birth control may also be affected by this medication. You should be aware of these and other potential problems that may arise from taking this medication. 

When it comes to making a selection between these two treatment options, it is important to take into consideration any other medications or supplements you take. Your doctor will need to monitor you closely if you get testosterone injections. There is a potential for a number of side effects. These include:

• Allergic skin reactions, such as hives and swelling of the lips, tongue, or face

• Heart attack, which produces tightness in the chest

• Nausea

• Chest tightness

• Lightheadedness

Testosterone injections can be safe for many people, as long as they take the medication as directed. However, the situation is more complicated for those with preexisting conditions that require medication for treatment. With testosterone injections, there is an increased risk for cardiovascular problems, urinary tract problems, and a higher risk of venous thrombosis.  

Of course, this raises the question if one of these options is superior to the other. While both of these treatment options have benefits and drawbacks, enclomiphene appears to be the safer choice, if you are looking to avoid complications that could have lifelong effects. There is really no way to find out if one of these is better, unless you try both of these treatments. It is important to proceed with caution, especially if you have a preexisting condition. 

Enclomiphene produces an increase in testosterone in a short period of time, often within a span of 14 days. Another huge plus about enclomiphene is the fact that men taking it can maintain normal sperm levels while taking the medication. 

Men who take enclomiphene also tend to see a significant increase in lean muscle mass. Enclomiphene has an elimination half-life of 10 hours, experts say. Enclomiphene causes the body to secrete more gonadotropin. The ideal goal of any testosterone therapy or treatment is to increase testosterone levels. Enclomiphene accomplishes this goal by impairing a basal FSH secretion, according to  PubMed.  

Of course, it’s important to note that enclomiphene comes with its own set of side effects. These side effects appear to be less severe and include abdominal pain, nausea, hot flushes, and breast tenderness. Mood swings are another side effect that you should be aware of. 

You can have six treatment cycles of enclomiphene before you begin to see results. It is believed to take this long for you to see the benefits and effects of this medication. Enclomiphene is known to raise testosterone levels. Those taking 50 milligrams per day typically find that testosterone levels quickly rise to normal levels.  

15 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.maximustribe.com/resources/how-enclomiphene-impacts-testosterone

https://pro.endocrineweb.com/endoscan/201604/abstract/enclomiphene-citrate-improves-hormone-levels-while-preserving-

https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_androxal_enclomiphene/drugs-condition.htm

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18031-testosterone-injection

https://www.med.umich.edu 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24657837/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5009465/

https://www.healthline.com/health/testicular-atrophy

https://www.maximustribe.com/resources/how-enclomiphene-impacts-testosterone

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18031-testosterone-injection

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327242

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jomh.2014.0006

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enclomifene

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6401242/

https://www.goodrx.com/testosterone/injectable-testosterone

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.