Testosterone Gel: What It’s For, How to Use & Side Effects

Testosterone Gel & Androgel: Dosage, Side Effects & Benefits

It comes in both 1% and 1.62% formulations via packets or a multi-dose pump. Testosterone pellets are very popular, and many women swear by them, but they are not recommended by most menopause experts. In general, women who use pellets initially love them because the huge bolus of estrogen and testosterone the pellets offer immediately makes them feel sexy, energetic, and fabulous overall. But these women often end up with unacceptably high levels because the dose is too high and the products aren’t regulated.

If you experience any adverse effects, it’s always best to seek advice from your doctor. For a bit more detail on the benefits of low testosterone treatments, check out our article. To help keep track of your testosterone gel, you can print off the TRTed Medication Tracker, available on the TRTed Toolkit here. Multi-dose pump capable of dispensing 60 metered pump actuations. O Wash the application site(s) thoroughly with soap and water prior to any situation where skin-to-skin contact of the application site with another person is anticipated. Testosterone gel 1.62% contains testosterone, a Schedule III controlled substance in the Controlled Substances Act. Testis disorder, testicular atrophy, and oligospermia have been identified during use of testosterone gel 1.62% [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1, 6.2)].

Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men. And just as happens for men, women’s primobolan testosterone cycle levels drop as they age.

Make sure to take extra precautions to protect other people from these risks. If you ever have any contact with children, take extra precautions to make sure they do not touch your application site. If you live with children, make sure you store the testosterone gel in a place where you’re sure your children can’t get to it. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed topical testosterone. Topical testosterone may cause harm to a breastfed baby. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Avoid letting treated skin areas come into contact with other people, especially children and women. You should not be treated with testosterone if you have prostate cancer or male breast cancer. Topical testosterone is absorbed through the skin and can cause side effects in anyone who comes into contact with testosterone topical. The gel or solution form can be transferred to another person if they touch or rub the skin where the medicine was placed or if some of it remains on your hands.

After direct skin-to-skin contact with the site of application, mean testosterone Cavg and Cmax in female subjects increased by 280% and 267%, respectively, compared to mean baseline testosterone concentrations. In a second study evaluating transfer of testosterone, 12 male subjects applied a single dose of testosterone gel 1.62% 81 mg to their shoulders and upper arms. Two (2) hours after application, female subjects rubbed their hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders to the application site of the male subjects for 15 minutes while the site of application was covered by a t-shirt. When a t-shirt was used to cover the site of application, mean testosterone Cavg and Cmax in female subjects increased by 6% and 11%, respectively, compared to mean baseline testosterone concentrations. Cases of secondary exposure resulting in virilization of children have been reported in postmarketing surveillance of testosterone gel products. Signs and symptoms have included enlargement of the penis or clitoris, development of pubic hair, increased erections and libido, aggressive behavior, and advanced bone age. In most cases, these signs and symptoms regressed with removal of the exposure to testosterone gel.

Changes in serum lipid profile may require dose adjustment or discontinuation of testosterone therapy. Avoid using other medications or skin products on the treated skin areas, unless you doctor tells you to. Just one dose can cause serious side effects in someone using it accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program, or how to safely dispose of unused or used testosterone. Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.

However, what makes testosterone gel unique is that its side effects can be passed to others who accidentally come in contact with the application site. Understanding testosterone gel side effects as well as these additional risks can help keep you and others safe while you use this treatment. After applying topical testosterone, wash your hands well with soap and water right away. Allow the product to dry, then cover the area with clothing. Keep the area covered until you are ready to wash the medicine off. Do not use topical testosterone if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away.

That’s because while testosterone plays a big role in pumping up sexual desire, it is far from the only thing that drives libido, which means that if yours is lacking, low testosterone may not be your issue. Desire for sexual activity also depends on neurotransmitters, blood flow to the genitals, and the ability to experience sexual pleasure. And plenty of other things can sabotage libido, including painful sex, medications, stress, insomnia, illness, and the monotony of monogamy.