Each subscription seemed reasonable on its own. The GLP-1 was $299/month. Testosterone was $150/month. The ED medication was $49/month. Finasteride was $30/month. Then you added the NAD+ injections ($200/month), the vitamin D and magnesium and omega-3 stack ($40/month), and the quarterly lab work ($75/panel amortized to $25/month). You look at the credit card statement and the total is $793/month — nearly $9,500/year — and you're wondering how it got here.
The Real Numbers
| Therapy | Low End | High End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLP-1 (compounded semaglutide) | $149/mo | $449/mo | Varies by dose, platform, and medication (sema vs. tirz) |
| TRT (testosterone cypionate) | $99/mo | $250/mo | Includes consultation, medication, and sometimes labs |
| ED medication (generic tadalafil) | $20/mo | $120/mo | Generic is cheap; compounded combo troches are expensive |
| Hair loss (finasteride) | $15/mo | $90/mo | Generic finasteride from GoodRx is $8; brand telehealth is $80+ |
| NAD+ injections | $150/mo | $400/mo | Most uncertain ROI in the stack |
| Sermorelin | $100/mo | $300/mo | Add-on peptide, not core therapy |
| Lab work (quarterly) | $50/quarter | $300/quarter | $12–$75/mo amortized. Some platforms include labs. |
| Supplements | $20/mo | $100/mo | D3, magnesium, omega-3, creatine, etc. |
Low-end total: ~$550/month ($6,600/year)
Mid-range total: ~$750/month ($9,000/year)
High-end total: ~$1,400+/month ($16,800+/year)
The Cost Hierarchy: Where Each Dollar Matters Most
Not every therapy in your stack delivers equal value per dollar. Ranking by evidence-to-cost ratio:
- Tier 1 — Highest value per dollar: Generic finasteride ($8–$15/mo), generic tadalafil ($20–$40/mo), basic TRT on testosterone cypionate ($99–$150/mo), and lab work. These have decades of evidence, strong effect sizes, and low cost.
- Tier 2 — High value, higher cost: GLP-1 medications ($149–$449/mo). The cost is significant but the outcomes data (STEP, SURMOUNT, SELECT) is among the strongest in recent medicine. For men who need substantial weight loss, this is evidence-backed spending.
- Tier 3 — Reasonable value, case-dependent: HCG for fertility preservation on TRT ($50–$100/mo), sermorelin for documented sleep issues ($100–$200/mo). Worth the spend for specific populations with specific goals.
- Tier 4 — Experimental value: NAD+ injections ($200–$400/mo), glutathione ($50–$150/shot), BPC-157 (restricted). The highest cost-per-evidence items in most stacks. Not worthless — but the evidence doesn't yet justify the spend for most men.
Cutting the Fat Without Cutting the Benefit
The Cost Optimization Playbook
- Switch to generics: Generic finasteride via GoodRx = $8/mo vs. $80/mo through a branded platform. Generic tadalafil = $15–$30/mo vs. $90/mo through a men's health subscription.
- Negotiate or shop TRT: Testosterone cypionate is inexpensive; you're mostly paying for the clinical service. Compare total costs including labs and consultation.
- Audit add-ons quarterly: NAD+, glutathione, and peptides should justify their spot every 90 days. If you can't articulate a measurable benefit, drop them for 3 months and see if anything changes.
- Consolidate platforms: A single platform handling GLP-1 + TRT + ED saves on separate consultation fees and often offers bundled pricing.
- Buy supplements at cost: Platform-branded supplements are typically 2–4x the cost of equivalent products from reputable supplement brands. Buy vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 separately.
The Bottom Line
Spend on Evidence, Audit the Rest
A well-optimized men's health regimen can cost $300–$500/month with no sacrifices in quality or outcomes. The path from $500 to $1,400 is paved with premium pricing for generic molecules, add-ons with thin evidence, and subscription overlap. Know what each dollar buys, rank by evidence, and cut from the bottom.