Quick answer: How long does a testosterone shot last? Most last 1 to 2 weeks. Testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate, the two most common TRT injections, are usually given weekly or every 2 weeks. Testosterone undecanoate lasts the longest, at about 10 weeks between shots. Your schedule depends on your dose, your blood work, and how you feel between injections (Cleveland Clinic, 2026; Bhasin et al., 2018).
This guide covers how long a testosterone shot can last by type, how long it stays in your system, when levels peak, and how long testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) takes to work.
How long does a testosterone shot last?
It depends on which type you’re prescribed. Injectable testosterone is attached to an ester and suspended in oil, so your body absorbs it slowly instead of all at once (Pfizer, 2025). Different esters release at different speeds.
| Injection type | How often it’s given | What to know | Source |
| Testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) | Weekly or every 2 weeks | Half-life of about 8 days. One of the two most common testosterone shots. | Pfizer, 2025; Bhasin et al., 2018 |
| Testosterone enanthate (Xyosted) | Weekly or every 2 weeks | Absorbed at a similar rate to cypionate. The two can generally be used interchangeably. | Sizar et al., 2024; Bhasin et al., 2018 |
| Testosterone undecanoate (Aveed) | Second shot at 4 weeks, then every 10 weeks | The longest-lasting shot. It’s given in the clinic by a medical professional. | Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024; Sizar et al., 2024 |
- How you feel can vary between doses. Symptoms may rise and dip depending on how often you get your shots (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
- Testosterone propionate is a shorter-acting ester. It isn’t among the shots Mayo Clinic lists for TRT today, which are cypionate, enanthate, and undecanoate (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). If you’ve been offered propionate, ask your provider how often you’d inject.
- Shots aren’t the only option. Pellets placed under the skin last 3 to 6 months (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). Compare them in our guide to testosterone pellets vs. injections vs. gels.
How long does testosterone cypionate stay in your system?
Testosterone cypionate has a half-life of about 8 days when it’s injected into muscle (Pfizer, 2025). A half-life is the time your body takes to clear half of a dose.
- After about 8 days: roughly half of the dose remains.
- After about 16 days: roughly a quarter remains.
- After 5 to 6 weeks: a single dose is largely cleared. As a general rule, a drug takes about five half-lives to leave the body.
- Why it differs from man to man: the amount of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in your blood affects how much testosterone is free, and that affects its half-life (Pfizer, 2025).
That’s why most men on cypionate or enanthate inject weekly or every 2 weeks. The next dose arrives before the last one has dropped too far.
When does testosterone peak after an injection?
Testosterone levels peak about 2 days after an injection of cypionate or enanthate, then fall until the next dose (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Peak: about 2 days after the shot.
- Low point: right before your next scheduled shot.
- Blood test timing: many providers draw blood midway between injections to see your average level, while others test at the 2-day peak (Sizar et al., 2024). Ask which one your provider uses, so your results are compared the same way each time.
For the full day-by-day picture, read When Does Testosterone Peak After Injection?
How often do you inject testosterone?
Most men on cypionate or enanthate inject once a week or once every 2 weeks (Bhasin et al., 2018; Cleveland Clinic, 2026).
- Weekly: often preferred at the start, because it’s easier to control symptoms without pushing levels above the normal range (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Every 2 weeks: fewer shots, but you may notice more of a dip before the next dose (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
- Every 10 weeks: the long-acting undecanoate schedule, after the first two doses (Cleveland Clinic, 2026).
- At home or in the clinic: you or a family member can learn to give cypionate or enanthate at home, while undecanoate has to be given by a medical professional (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
- First check-in: expect a blood test about 1 month after you start, and again 1 month after any dose change (Sizar et al., 2024).
What affects how long a testosterone shot can last?
How long a testosterone shot will last differs from man to man. These are the main reasons.
- The ester: undecanoate is built to last about 10 weeks, while cypionate and enanthate are dosed weekly or every 2 weeks (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
- Your dose: the goal is the lowest dose that relieves your symptoms without peaks above the normal range (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Your SHBG level: this blood protein binds testosterone and influences its half-life (Pfizer, 2025).
- Weight and metabolic health: obesity, type 2 diabetes, thyroid problems, and liver disease can all change SHBG (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Consistency: skipped or late doses let your level drop. Here’s why it’s vital to stick to your TRT regimen.
How long does testosterone take to work?
A shot raises your testosterone level within days, but symptoms improve on their own schedule. A review of testosterone therapy studies mapped when each benefit starts and when it levels off (Saad et al., 2011).
| What changes | When it starts | When it levels off |
| Sex drive | About 3 weeks | About 6 weeks |
| Quality of life | 3 to 4 weeks | Later than 4 weeks |
| Mood | 3 to 6 weeks | 18 to 30 weeks |
| Erections | Gradual | Up to 6 months |
| Body fat, lean mass, and muscle strength | 12 to 16 weeks | 6 to 12 months |
| Red blood cell count | About 3 months | 9 to 12 months |
| Bone density | About 6 months | Keeps improving for at least 3 years |
- Give it 3 to 6 months. If your level has been normal for 6 months and your symptoms haven’t improved, your provider may look for another cause (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Results aren’t the same for everyone. Your starting level and the type of testosterone you use both shape your timeline (Saad et al., 2011).
We cover each stage in more detail in How Long TRT Takes to Work.
How do you know if you need a testosterone shot?
Low testosterone is diagnosed with symptoms plus blood tests, never symptoms alone (Mulhall et al., 2018).
- The number: total testosterone below 300 ng/dL on two separate morning tests (Mulhall et al., 2018; Sizar et al., 2024).
- The timing: blood is usually drawn between 8 and 10 a.m., when testosterone is highest (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
- The symptoms: low sex drive, fewer morning erections, trouble getting or keeping an erection, low mood, and loss of muscle strength (Cleveland Clinic, 2026).
- Age: testosterone declines with age (Harman et al., 2001), by about 1% a year starting in your late 30s (Cleveland Clinic, 2026).
- Other causes: obesity, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and some medications, including opioids, can lower testosterone too (Cleveland Clinic, 2026).
Not sure where you stand? Review the signs of low testosterone in men and when to get your testosterone checked.
What happens after your last testosterone shot?
Your level falls as the last dose clears, which takes 5 to 6 weeks for cypionate. Don’t stop or change your dose without talking to your provider first.
- Symptoms can return. Low testosterone usually isn’t cured by treatment. It’s managed (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Sperm production takes time to recover. Testosterone therapy lowers sperm count. After stopping, about two-thirds of men recover within 6 months, and about 10% need more than a year (Sizar et al., 2024).
- Planning a family? Tell your provider before you start. Men who are actively trying to conceive shouldn’t begin testosterone therapy (Sizar et al., 2024). Read more about TRT and fertility and enclomiphene, an alternative to ask about when fertility matters.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
- Which type of testosterone injection are you recommending, and why?
- How often will I inject, and can I do it at home?
- When should I have my blood drawn in relation to my shot?
- What level are we aiming for, and how soon will you re-check it?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- How will this affect my fertility?
- Which side effects should I report right away?
How Androgenix Can Help
If your testosterone shot doesn’t last until your next dose, or you’re not sure TRT is right for you, we can help you find a schedule that fits. At Androgenix Advanced Health & Wellness Center in North Palm Beach, we start with blood work, build your plan around your results, and re-check your levels as you go.
We see patients from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and across the Palm Beach area. Call (561) 331-5813 or book your consultation to get your levels checked.
Learn more about:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Comprehensive hormone testing
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)
- The benefits of testosterone injections
Frequently Asked Questions About Testosterone Shots
How long does a testosterone shot last?
A testosterone shot will usually last 1 to 2 weeks. Cypionate and enanthate are given weekly or every 2 weeks, and long-acting undecanoate is given about every 10 weeks (Cleveland Clinic, 2026).
How long does testosterone stay in your system after an injection?
Testosterone cypionate has a half-life of about 8 days (Pfizer, 2025). About half of a dose is cleared in 8 days, and a single dose is largely gone in 5 to 6 weeks.
Which testosterone shot will last the longest?
Testosterone undecanoate (Aveed). After the first two doses, it’s given every 10 weeks (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
When does testosterone peak after an injection?
About 2 days after a cypionate or enanthate injection (Sizar et al., 2024).
How long does a testosterone shot take to work?
Sex drive often improves in about 3 weeks and mood in 3 to 6 weeks. Changes in body fat and muscle take 12 to 16 weeks, and bone density takes about 6 months (Saad et al., 2011).
Can I give myself a testosterone shot at home?
Yes, for cypionate and enanthate, once you’ve been shown how. Undecanoate has to be given by a medical professional (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
