Your Questions Answered
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a treatment aimed at boosting testosterone levels in men with low testosterone. It can involve various treatments for the symptoms, including administering testosterone through different available forms under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
The process begins with an initial blood test to evaluate your testosterone levels combined with a questionnaire on symptoms.
For new patients, Iif these tests show Low-T based on evaluation by a partner clinician, you’ll be invited to join the CactusMen platform and to complete a second, more in-depth set of blood tests in order to confirm results. Learn more about these tests here.
After reviewing the results, a consultation with an Australian-licensed GP will determine your suitability for TRT. If deemed suitable by your clinician, a tailored treatment plan will be created.
Regular monitoring and follow-up consultations ensure the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
Learn more about how the process works here.
The exact frequency of check-ups is determined by the GP who is managing your care.
Regular check-ins are typically scheduled every three months initially to monitor progress, review blood tests, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. Over time, these consultations may not be required as frequently, but this will be determined by your doctor.
Between consultations, you have access to support from a registered nurse and a dedicated support team for any additional help you need.
Yes. We’ve made it easy to start the process – click here to get started.
Our membership plan is $75 monthly or $800 annually, and this covers all of your medical consultations with partner GPs and nurses.
Medication costs range from $400 to $800 per year, and is highly dependent on the assessment of a qualified practitioner to determined the best course of treatment. Individual costs may vary and access to treatment is not guaranteed. Only a licensed practitioner can make this decision based on their professional judgement.
In addition to the costs above, you will need to carry out regular blood testing in line with the advice from partner GPs. CactusMen makes it easy to purchase these blood tests via iMedical, but the exact cost of blood testing will be determined based on who you choose to purchase your blood tests through.
Yes, there can be additional costs for supplies such as syringes and needles, depending on the provider and the type of TRT therapy you receive.
At CactusMen, you can purchase any required supplies along with your treatment plan, following advice from your clinician.
TRT coverage by health insurance in Australia can vary. Some health insurance plans may cover TRT, but it often depends on your specific policy and the provider’s requirements. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to determine if TRT is included in your coverage.
CactusMen’s services are not covered by Medicare as Medicare typically does not cover TRT treatments provided by private clinics or online providers.
If I am deemed medically not suitable for treatment
- Membership fees are 100% refundable if the patient is deemed not suitable for treatment by the partner GP or clinician based on the in-depth blood test, or your initial consultation. The cost of blood tests is non-refundable as they are processed by a third-party provider.
All other cancellations
- We operate a minimum commitment of three months from subscription signup in order to ensure a smooth & consistent experience. If you wish to cancel before this, you will be billed until the end of your first three months. During this time, you will continue to have access to our services until the the end of your 3 month tenure, at which point you will no longer be billed and will no longer have access to services.
No, we do not generate revenue from our partnership with iMedical. Our goal is to provide you with cost-effective and accessible blood testing services. The final decision on where to access blood testing is up to you, but the tests will need to meet quality criteria.
For new patients, the blood testing process involves two stages:
- Initial Blood Test: This test measures your baseline testosterone levels to determine if you have low testosterone. It typically includes:
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
To ensure accuracy and save potentially unnecessary costs, we only proceed to the second set of tests if your first tests indicate that you may have Low-T.
- In-Depth Blood Test: If the initial test indicates low testosterone, a more comprehensive blood test is required. This test includes additional markers to ensure a thorough assessment:
- Full Blood Examination (FBE)
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Glucose & C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
- Lipids (HDL/LDL and ratios)
- Grouped Hormones (GH, DHEAs, IGF-1, SHBG, FSH, LH, Prolactin, Progesterone, Oestrogen, Cortisol)
Learn more about the second blood test on our helpful blog here.
The two-stage testing process ensures accuracy and thoroughness. The initial test identifies if you have low testosterone, and the in-depth test provides a comprehensive view of your hormonal health and checks for other conditions that could affect your treatment.
Patients considering switching from another provider need to provide a single set of recent blood test results. These tests include:
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
- Full Blood Examination (FBE)
- Electrolytes and Liver Function Tests (E/LFTs)
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH)
- Oestrogen
Yes, if your blood tests were conducted within the last three months and meet our requirements, you can upload them for review. Our practitioners will determine if additional tests are needed.
You can order a blood test through our partner, iMedical or alternatively, you can upload recent test results if they meet our criteria.
Visit our “how it works” page to get started.
Whilst this can vary slightly, typically we find that blood test results are available within 2-3 working days after the test. If you order tests through iMedical, they will be sent directly to CactusMen by default for review.
If your results indicate that TRT is not suitable for you based on a clinical review, we will notify you of this, and provide a general overview of the rationale.
If you have signed up for CactusMen already, we will issue a full refund for your membership fee.
The cost of blood tests is non-refundable as they are processed by a third-party provider and CactusMen is not involved in the agreement.
The specific tests required will be determined by a partner practitioner based on your initial assessment and individual health needs. While the general tests listed provide a guideline, your practitioner may require additional tests to ensure a thorough evaluation.
Specific blood test requirements will be determined by your practitioner.
Generally, ongoing blood tests are a crucial part of your TRT therapy. Regular monitoring helps ensure that your therapy is effective and safe, allowing for necessary adjustments based on your progress and any changes in your health.
Initially, blood tests are typically done every three months to closely monitor your response to therapy and make any necessary adjustments.
As you progresses, the frequency of blood tests may be reduced based on your practitioner’s recommendations. Any decision regarding exact blood tests is made exclusively by the partner practitioner based on their medical evaluation of each patient.
You can do your blood tests at any accredited lab assuming they meet our criteria. iMedical ensures streamlined processing and direct transmission of results to CactusMen for review. This can expedite the review process and reduce administrative delays.
Learn more about requirements for tests here (select which option applied to you, and scroll down on the following page).
Yes, all of our partner clinicians (GPs and nurses) are Australian registered, and your GP consultations will be with Australian-licensed GPs.
No, CactusMen is not a pharmacy. We work with several partner pharmacies across Australia to ensure that any prescribed medications are orders and shipped to you discreetly and efficiently. Our role is to facilitate the connection between you and the medical professionals and pharmacies involved in your treatment.
No, we are a telehealth platform that connects patients with licensed Australian GPs with a special focus on TRT. These GPs operate independently from CactusMen and their role is to conduct consultations, review your test results, and develop personalised treatment plans for you.
All medical decisions are made by these qualified practitioners to ensure safe and effective care. Our role is to facilitate the connection between you and the medical professionals in a seamless and efficient way.
CactusMen acts as a facilitator in your TRT journey. We connect you with qualified medical professionals, coordinate checks and consultations, and ensure any prescribed medications are communicated to our partner pharmacies. Our goal is to provide a seamless and supportive experience from initial assessment to ongoing therapy.
Once a partner practitioner prescribes your medication, we coordinate with our partner pharmacies to fulfil the prescription. The pharmacies then handle the dispensing and shipping of your medications, ensuring they are delivered to you in a timely and discreet manner.
You also have the option to access your script directly and purchase any prescribed medication without availing of CactusMen’s services. In this case, neither CactusMen nor our partner pharmacies will be involved with your medication plan.
CactusMen partners only with licensed Australian GPs and accredited pharmacies. All our medical professionals are registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies, ensuring they meet high standards of care. Our partner pharmacies are similarly regulated to ensure the safe dispensing of medications.
Yes, CactusMen provides extensive training and onboarding support to help you get started with your TRT journey. We have built out a comprehensive library of videos and resources designed to guide you through each step of the process, from understanding your treatment plan to administering your medication and tracking your progress.
For any additional medical questions, you can contact nursing@cactusmen.com.au or book in for a chat with them on the support page within the CactusMen Portal (login here).