Testosterone gel.... how much is a dose, and how do you apply it?

[Dorje]

Hi all, so my GP recommended I try out some testosterone gel from a sachet.
The gel is prescribed off license to me, as it's formulated for men.
It comes in a sachet, which amounts to 5g, a single daily dose for a man. There used to be a testosterone for women but they don't make it anymore.
I'm on a bioidentical hrt and don't want to take triblone, as I'm happy with the regime I'm on.

My GP recommends a small amount every day. But how small is a small amount? It sort of melts to a liquid when I squeeze it out on my finger, and it's difficult to see how much is there. She recommends I rub it onto my lower abs, but it's all drippy by then...

So, my questions are:

If you use it, how do you do it?

How much do I use.... should this sachet last me a week or 10 days? Obviously I won't need a sachet a day, but how do you measure your amount? Have you a handy spoon, or measure?

Where do you put yours!?

What are the time scales when I could see a difference in energy levels?

Has anyone had any side effects?
Beards, acne, bulging muscles, speeding tickets, toyboys, an appreciation for sports cars
You know, am I going to be able to join a barbershop quartet with my new basso profundo voice, or will I still be able to hit the high notes of Celine Dion not that I want to sing her stuff but you get the picture

Is there a long term higher risk of cancer.... if so what kind, and does anyone know any stats?

TIA fellow vipers ladies

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If you've found this page in your search of orgasm gels and orgasm lubes that have been recommended by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best orgasm gels useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

[Bellaciao]

No - it is not usually bought online (no HRT products are - exceot from online pharmacies via doctor's prescriptions only) and definitely not from UK. I wouldn't trust this online source that does not require a prescription! In UK we don't need to as we can get most of what we need on NHS or in the case of testosterone which is unlicensed for women currently, from private gynaes for the privileged few (in comparison to most women in the country). I got mine free from local GP surgery on NHS as I am over 60. Anyone else prescribed it on NHS but not eligible for free prescriptions just has to pay a prescription charge of £8.80.

If problems with Meno Matters then e-mail webmaster and explain the problem.

[Diana65]

So do you think, this Testogel could be possible only a copy of the original product?? Unfortunately here in Germany no single doctor is allowed to prescribe testosterone for women, even if she had ovaries removed :-( The only way for us is to get testosterone illegally.

[Bellaciao]

I can't say Diana65 sorry but I would be wary of anything you can just buy like that if it is regulated especially if it says it's from UK.....this must be very frustrating for you. It might be OK? Is it possible for you to have a telephone consultation with a private gynae in UK for example and for them to prescribe it based on your history - and then send it to you ( if cost is not a barrier). This might not be possible for someone from another country but while we are still in the EU you might be able to? Gynae might want to write to your GP in Germany (and should) but if you've been given a private prescription and got the stuff that would be a start. You could get a postal private blood test eg after 6 months to test your levels although tests for T are less reliable because the test is designed for men but at least you could see if you were overdosing.

[DartfordBridge]

I’ve just been given this testogel pump instead of my usual testogel sachets. The helpful instructions are to use 2 pumps a week. I’m going to just use a small pea size a day and see what happens I think.

Although the 2 pumps a week does sound easier 🤔

[Diana65]

I asked the certain professor in UK about a telephone consultation, but he wants to see me first, before he prescribes me testosterone, which I can understand. But I'm short of money at the moment. My gynea won't cooperate, since the health policy in germany doesn't allow testosterone for women. The only way is illegal testosterone from other countries, like testogel from UK, and to make private blood tests, which I did.
I only want to be sure that I'm using the right dose, I can't make blood tests every few weeks :-/

[Bellaciao]

Diana - even if you have problems registering on Menopause Matters do read the thread there by one of the members on Testosterone doses where it is all laid out. From memory I think your Testogel is half as concentrated again as the testim and testogel sachets and because as you say the amount pumped out is large it is difficult to dispense the small pea-sized amount for women without wasting a lot of it. I use a pea-sized amount so if you were using two peas then to get the same amount as you did before with sachets you would need 2/3 of this ie 1 and a third peas!!!! It really is important not to overdose ( unlike oestrogen where there is a lot of leeway) so if you can pay for private blood tests after you've been using this for 6 months (not sure of the time you should wait) then do.

[Bellaciao]

DartfordBridge - Two pumps per week is slightly on the higher side but may well be OK for you ie 40.5 mg especially if you have been prescribed this. A pea sized blob of Testim from sachets of 1 % gel gives 35 mg per week if the tube lasts for 10 days. My tubes usually last for 14 days so I get a bit less. I can't see how you can get a pea-sized blob from a pump pack that dollops out a huge blob - but then I haven't seen it so maybe you can get a pea ( or 2/3 of a pea!) by depressing the plunger slightly less?

Two pumps a week may result in your getting temporarily high testosterone levels which is not ideal - not sure how women react to this burst of T - rampant, libido through the roof maybe ?!

[fligno]

Somebody please help me!!!!! I'm reading all these posts and none of them are really helping me.
My GP is no help so I'm not gonna even go there.
I'm taking testo gel and apply it every day. I've been doing this for a month now and nothing!!!
I'm taking a tiny pea sized amount even though the dosage on the box says 5mg.
The reason for this is because I cannot get a professionals advice until September; my next gynae appointment.
5mg is apparently the dose for a man, everything read on testosterone is aimed at men although women do produce the hormone too; so nothing for perimeno women on HRT! My pharmacist can't help me so I'm hoping some of you ladies can point me in the right direction.
Please and thank you

[fligno]

How much is a pea sized amount of testo gel for women???
Someone please!!!

[Oxfordblue]

I think you're getting your mg & g muddled up? You know the size of a pea? That's how much to use. HTH.

[Bellaciao]

fligno - I sachet of 1% testogel contains 5 g gel which contains 50 mg testosterone. The basic advice is to make a sachet last about 10 days ie 5 mg T per day. I used a pea-sized bead, (depends on your peas eh?) and the sachet would last longer than 2 weeks. I would keep going with your peas - the effects can take up to 4-5 months. What are you hoping for and are you also taking oestrogen?

[Oxfordblue]

My dr is refusing to prescribed this for me The consultant at C&W hospital has already seen me, given me a prescription & written to my GP requesting she continues.
I've been taking it moreorless since March & I'm only recently starting to feel more alive & vibrant. I think I must have been extremely low...no extra hair either!

[lagymbunny]

Hi everyone, I have been on HRT Evorel Conti patches and Evogel pessaries for 3 months and yesterday finally the consultant put me on Tostran gel as nothing is helping my non existent libido.

Can anyone give me their experiences with this particular product please, especially in regard to how long it takes before I may notice some improvement in libido? My long suffering partner is losing the will to live now! Thank you

[Oxfordblue]

Is that the pump testosterone? I started on testigel in March this year & it took about 3 mths for my libido to re-appear. Unfortunately I came out with acne (dh said it's the spottiest he's ever seen me!) along my jaw line. Might have been a co-incidence.
When I pick up my new prescription I'll try & work out when testosterone peaks & maybe just use then. Although my consultant said use 1 pump 3 x a week.
Good luck & report back!

[lagymbunny]

Mine is the pump one and I have to use 1 pump per day which delivers 10mg of test. To do that for 2 weeks then reduce down if I am noticing too many side effects. Trouble is I have been waiting for this for 2 years and was kind of hoping I would be jumping on my partner after the first dose lol.

[FermatsTheorem]

Does anyone have experience of low testosterone and muscle weakness post menopause? I had poly cystic ovaries pre Meno (so presumably quite high testosterone by female standards) and was also very sporty. Over the last year or so it feels like my muscular strength has just dropped off a cliff. I'm also suffering from a loss of drive and energy mentally.

[Diana65]

Hi FermatsTheorem,
yes, I can totrally relate. I always had higher T levels as usual by female standards ( mild version of poly cystic ovaries) and had great muscle mass and energy. When menopause started and T levels dropped, I noticed muscle fatigue and weakness and loss of muscle mass and a loss of drive and energy. I read that Prof. Studd recommends testosterone replacement even as a treatment for chronical fatigue syndrom. So there is certainly a connection between T and muscle strenght plus energy. Since I'm using Testogel, I'm noticing an increase of muscle strenght and less fatigue.

[FermatsTheorem]

Thanks! I'm about due my annual review of my HRT. Depending on which doctor I get, I may bring this up ( GPs have a job share - one is on board with my wanting to continue to take it, other is very old school "wean women off it asap" - since my family history is one of musculoskeletal problems I'm keen to continue taking HRT as long as possible).

[Notsamanthajones]

Hey, I'm quite young at 31 to and no children, but I have just been prescribed testogel pump bottle, it says each pump contains 12.5mg of testosterone, due to low libido, pain and my mental wellbeing which is dramatically affected by the physical symptoms.
My gyno said to use 1 pump, which was a substantial amount, it was very watery and covered my entire forearm, which is where she told me to use it and reading your comments, I feel that maybe I have misunderstood as everyone is saying 'pea sized'. The box says 4 pumps, which is obviously for a man.

Is anyone else using the same pump and can help?

Thanks

[Diana65]

Hi,
I'm having a big problem, since the online pharmacy from UK, where I'v ordered my Testogel, doesn't exist anymore :-( And I can't buy testosterone gel without prescribtion anywhere else.
Do you maybe know some sources to get testosterone? I'v reduced my daily dose drastically, since the bottle is soon empty, but I'm already noticing the symptoms of low testosterone- fatigue, low libido, muscle weakness, more sleep problems, lack of interests in any activity .. I just can't accept this condition and continue to live with low testosterone. My gyno isn't any help, since in Germany no testosterone for women is allowed :-/ Any suggestions please?

[HappenstanceMarmite]

Diana65

Someone on Menopause Matters forum recommended a company in France who sent her a Testosterone gel for €38+p&p.

www.dhea-sante.com/testosterone-gel-xml-266_269-737.html

Whatever you decide to do, please let me know how you get on.

[Diana65]

Thank you! Do you know if this gel is bioidentical? I don't speak french and the picture on the website is too small to see the ingriedients..l

[HappenstanceMarmite]

Diana65 there is a button at top of the landing page to enable you to translate into English. 😊

[HappenstanceMarmite]

Correction - you need to view as a normal web page, not mobile site. And it was Google Translate that came up for me, not sure if you have that facility? I’ve attached the translated page for you 🤗

[Diana65]

Oh thank you! I just got the answer from the company, the gel it's unfortunately a synthetic steroid and not a bioidentical testosterone :-(