Injectable Testosterone: 3 Options You Should Know About

Low testosterone levels can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED), hair loss, and depression, among other symptoms. This can have a sizable impact on confidence and your day-to-day life.

Thankfully, there’s good news. Many testosterone-based medications help boost testosterone to ideal levels. These medications come in many forms, including gels, pills, and injections.

Here, we’ll discuss the three main types of testosterone injections. They’re a go-to dosage form for many people who want or need testosterone.

What are the different types of testosterone injections?

Testosterone — or “T” — is an important sex hormone, especially for men. Your body makes it naturally, but it can also be given as a medication. Many people inject testosterone under their skin or into a muscle.

Injectable testosterone has been modified to last for days or weeks in your body. These modified versions of testosterone are called testosterone esters. Testosterone cypionate, enanthate, and undecanoate are testosterone esters that boost your testosterone levels.

These testosterone esters differ in several ways. The most important difference is how long they last in your body. Testosterone enanthate lasts for the shortest time, as it has the shortest half-life. The half-life of a medication is how long it takes your body to remove 50% of the medication. Testosterone cypionate lasts longer than testosterone enanthate, but testosterone undecanoate lasts the longest.

Other differences are logistical. For instance, some products must be injected by a healthcare professional. Others can be safely injected at home. Regardless, they’re all options to consider. Let’s look at each one in more detail.

1. Testosterone cypionate

Testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) is a common form of injectable testosterone. It’s available as a brand-name and generic product, and it’s injected into your buttock muscle every 1 to 4 weeks. You may inject it at home, or a healthcare professional can give it to you.

The recommended dose of testosterone cypionate ranges from 50 mg to 400 mg. Your healthcare professional will pick and adjust your dose. It will depend on your age, how you respond to the medication, and side effects you experience.

Testosterone cypionate, like all testosterone injections, doesn’t work right away. It can take a few weeks for your testosterone levels to increase and symptoms of low T to improve.

2. Testosterone enanthate

Testosterone enanthate is another version of injectable testosterone. It’s administered in two ways.

Testosterone enanthate (Xyosted) is an under-the-skin injection. Other versions are intramuscular (IM) injections.

• Under-the-skin injection: The recommended Xyosted dosage is 75 mg every week. You can inject it under the skin of your stomach area at home. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose depending on how you respond.

• IM injection: Many generic versions of testosterone enanthate are injected into the buttocks. You may receive 50 mg to 400 mg every 1 to 4 weeks.

Your testosterone enanthate dosage will depend on your response, age, and side effects. But your body may break down testosterone enanthate slightly faster than testosterone cypionate.

3. Testosterone undecanoate

Testosterone undecanoate (Aveed) is a newer brand-name injectable testosterone product. It’s an IM injection administered into your buttocks by a healthcare professional.

You can receive testosterone undecanoate less often than the other injections. Once your body is used to it, you can go 10 weeks (2.5 months) between doses.

The recommended dose of testosterone undecanoate is 750 mg. After your first dose, another shot is given 4 weeks later. You can receive doses every 10 weeks after your third dose.

What about compounded testosterone injections?

Most people can use an FDA-approved testosterone product. But in some cases, a commercial product may not meet a person’s medical needs, such as if they’re allergic to an inactive ingredient. A healthcare professional may then prescribe a customized testosterone injection through a process called compounding.

Keep in mind that compounded testosterone injections aren’t the same as generic testosterone injections. They’re also not FDA approved, meaning the FDA doesn’t review their safety, how well they work, or quality before they’re marketed.

Because of this, compounded medications should only be used when an FDA-approved option can’t meet your needs and should come from a licensed compounding pharmacy.

What are some side effects of injectable testosterone?

Testosterone therapy can help raise your levels, but not without risks. Testosterone injections can cause side effects, including:

• Injection site reactions, such as pain, bruising, and redness

• Headache

• Enlargement in male breasts

• Increased blood pressure

• Higher risk for blood clots

Testosterone products previously carried a boxed warning (the FDA’s strongest medication warning) about a possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke. But in 2025, the FDA removed this warning after a large clinical trial found no increased risk of major cardiovascular events. 

How do you receive testosterone injections?

You can receive testosterone injections in a medical office or clinic. Testosterone is injected deep into your muscle, usually your buttocks. So it’s difficult to administer on your own. But this can vary depending on the product.

Some testosterone injections, such as Aveed, must be administered by a healthcare professional. This is because side effects (POME, anaphylaxis) can happen shortly after your injections.

Your healthcare professional may let you administer testosterone cypionate or enanthate at home. These injections don’t have the same postinjection risks as Aveed. They’re also given more frequently, making at-home use more convenient.

Xyosted is another exception. You can safely use this auto-injector at home. Self-administering under-the-skin medications is easier than self-administering IM medications.

How do you choose the best testosterone shot?

No single testosterone injection is best for everyone. Your healthcare professional will consider several factors, including:

• Your medical history and the medication’s safety risks

• How often you’re comfortable receiving injections

• Whether you prefer an autoinjector, syringe, or in-office injection

• Whether the medication is injected under the skin or into a muscle

• Insurance coverage and out-of-pocket cost

• Medication availability

Testosterone is a prescription controlled substance. Your prescriber can help you compare the options and choose one that fits your medical needs and preferences.

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Written by:

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California with over 7 years of experience. In his career, he’s worked in specialty and community pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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