Testosterone gel, hairy shoulder!

[NannyOgg66]

Hi ladies, I've been using testogel for about 18 months now alongside HRT patches. Was prescribed testosterone by consultant for low libido and low energy. It has really helped, but I've been merrily applying it to mostly my right shoulder/back and am now sprouting black hairs from the site! I've literally only just noticed as I can't see much close up without my glasses. Consultant didn't specify where to apply and I had seen an article online by a well known gynaecologist who recommended shoulder application for better absorption. I've now waxed my shoulder and upper arm and started to apply to alternate thighs. But has anyone any experience of this? Will the hair keep growing on shoulder now I've changed application? I've only just stopped a couple of weeks ago but I've noticed that after waxing there looks like new growth coming through

I'm about to start this gel so watching for tips.

@Botherfreedays don't let this put you off, it's been very effective for me. My testosterone level was almost zero. It took a few weeks , maybe couple of months for it to make a difference. Apparently hair at application site can be a problem I've found out since! It is recommended to switch places either upper thigh or stomach. I suppose if it's on your leg it's easier to wax etc ! Because this is not licensed for women in UK there are no female specific instructions in box etc. There used to be a testosterone product specifically formulated for women but it was withdrawn due to financial reasons, am guessing it didn't make enough money. Good luck x

@NannyOgg66 Thank you.

I would be interested to hear more about this. It's fucking outrageous (but entirely unsurprising) that there is now no testosterone product licensed for use in the UK to help with menopause. We can't even get any official advice about how/where to apply and how much to use. My very helpful female GP said she couldn't advise, and I had to buy off-label (ie order it without prescription).

@AmandaHoldensLips yes it's disgraceful. Testosterone is available on NHS prescription for women but I think it has to be recommended by a consultant. I get mine on NHS. It is part of NICE guidlines for menopause that if you're still having problems despite GP managing your symptoms they should refer you to menopause specialist on NHS. Love the name btw

Thighs for me. The growth does stop when you stop using it.

(Trying to remember why I stopped using it now. I agree it should be offered as standard to women.)

It's my understanding that one has to be referred to a special NHS menopause / endocrinology consultant to get a prescription, and there are no facilities anywhere near me. There is apparently a good meno/endo department at one at one of the big London teaching hospitals, long waiting list, and frankly I just couldn't be bothered to go through all the hassle.

Dealing with menopause is hard enough without having to run the gauntlet of a health system that dismisses (or just plain misses) so many female health issues.

I was told oestrogen gel on the legs and testosterone gel on the arms. If I put it on a different place on my arms each day and maybe sometimes shoulders, would this be enough to stop hair growth?

@Botherfreedays I would think so, I was just putting it on my left shoulder/back as I'm right handed.
@AmandaHoldensLips I agree it's a bloody disgrace, failing a specialised menopause clinic a good gynae clinic should be able to help. My nearest meno clinic is 45 mins away and I'm on a waiting list, the testosterone was prescribed by a consultant gynaecologist, I was there for another problem and just had a chat to her about it. I totally understand what you mean about all the messing about. If you're able to get hold of it and you can afford it, it may be less hassle that way. If it was men who went through menopause everything would be more available!

@NannyOgg66 - what dosage was prescribed? I couldn't even get that far!

I remember being told to wash my hands well after applying so I didn’t get hairy fingers 😝. I was told to alternate thighs and also area of thigh to minimise hair growth. What dose do you have? I had to reduce to very minimum as i was becoming an aggressive arse!!

I had something similar but on my forearms. I was sort of applying it in a similar way to perfume iyswim. I didn’t actually get any new hair but the hair that was there became coarser and darker.

It’s not really obvious though and I think once the hairs go in to their dormant phase it will return in its previous format as it will be unfed by testosterone.

Anyway, I’ve switched to my inner thighs. I didn’t try my belly as I didn’t want a hairy belly.

So I’d say apply it somewhere you remove the hair anyway.

@Bemystarlord @AmandaHoldensLips I think I was prescribed 5mg dose but I will double check that. The testogel pump if you press is right down to full application gives 50mg for Male dose, so basically it was a 10th of that. So I sort of guessed it by a pea sized or slightly larger amount on tip of my little finger. Initially my GP had prescribed wrong dose and I was taking too much, this made my bowels a bit overactive this sounds strange but I had suffered from constipation during peri menopause, but wasnt more aggressive that I noticed it also had quite a stimulating effect on my libido!

I forgot to say that my testosterone level was almost zero so not sure if dosage depends on how low it is to start with.
@Deux thank you I'm hoping that is the case and once it goes into dormant phase will stop hair growth.