Testosterone cream - I've just started - side effects and advice please!

[loveyouradvice]

I've just been put on this by my hormone clinic who I've been seeing for 7 months now. I started today - one pump each morning.

My thigh has gone all tingly where I put it on - is this normal? Not unpleasant but strange!!

Have you experienced any other side effects?
And what benefits have you had, and how fast?
Have you had to increase how much you use?

Huge thanks and looking forward to hearing from you

ps if this thread looks familiar... I posted earlier calling it Progesterone cream... Oops! Hoping my brain gets clearer again with all this HRT...

I use Testogel and have had no side effects that I’m aware of, maybe some slightly increased hair growth on legs and armpits? But only noticeable to me and no extra hair on face or wherever else.
I was using 1/8 of a sachet daily and my last blood tests were too high so I was asked to reduce it. I have a follow up appointment soon so we’ll work out next steps.
I feel less physically strong since reducing the dose but it’s hard to quantify.

Following with interest as considering starting the bloods to assess my levels.

I use testosterone gel and apply it to my outer upper thigh. It feels a bit tingly but I presume it’s because it’s loaded with alcohol to allow it to evaporate. I haven’t had any hair growth but perhaps that’s because the outer thigh isn’t hairy anyway. I’m afraid to say I don’t think I feel any different on it at all but I still want to keep taking it as I know our testosterone levels drop off markedly in menopause so I’m keen to keep replacing mine if possible.

I wouod start slow and increase. So instead of once a day <seems high but depends on the gel> I'd go every other day, or 3 times a week as it can make you bit jittery at first then increase.

Also. I'd avoid on days of known stress like tests, interviews or events that make you nervous as it can ramp up the adrenaline a bit.

Use on a morning as can interfere with sleep.

Really does return libido and respone to pre peri/meno levels though 🎉

Interesting @trainedopossum ... it's one of the things I've found gently sad about ageing, is losing almost all my hair under my armpits and the lovely bushy triangle I used to treasure. And gosh, re feeling less strong since reducing your dose.

@sunshinechaser I fear this may become my experience too - I feel no different from the rest of HRT (apart from side effects when I started or increase the dose) ... But I've committed to doing this for a couple of years and will then re-evaluate. My guess is I will continue, believing its best for my body as I age

Mmmm @DameM .... I like the idea of my libido increasing, it's been sadly rather low recently. And thanks for the really good advice. Managing stress is a key thing I'm focussing on at the mo, so this is really helpful to know.

I have been using sporadically- I have the cream (it’s bloody expensive though). No side effects I don’t think. It can take a while to see any positive impact.

Think it helps a bit with zest for life and libido. Though I started fancying people I shouldn’t 😂. So have reduced dose and trying to direct libido towards DH. I know it doesn’t have an impact on libido for all. I had zero libido and zero testosterone on tests 0.08 so it’s very much needed.

Not sure about strength yet but only just getting back in to weights so hopefully will see some improvement there.

@Delatron - that made me laugh - I'm quite happy to fancy people I shouldn't!! Fun ... so long as I do nothing about it...Did you really reduce your dose because of this????!!!!

Yes I plan to direct libido towards DH ... he's most excited but I've warned him it could take a few months to kick in....

Yes it is darn expensive - I'm paying £100 for 4 months supply - how about others?? I think once it's clear what levels I need, I'm going to see if there are less expensive options... but I'm suspecting there aren't. Or whether it is possible to get it on the NHS....

@loveyouradvice I did lay off it for a few days! I did not do anything about my random crushes but I felt a bit of control 😅.

I think my tube (the Androfeme?) of cream is around £100 not sure how long it will last but at least 3 months plus. Think I may switch to the gel that is cheaper next though. Thought I’d do the expensive version whilst I got to grips with it. I do have to go private do to historical conditions so need to expert advice.

You can get it on the NHS if you have a sympathetic doctor and it’s only licensed for lack of libido and no other reason. (Go figure - the medical misogyny still out in full force). And only the gel in this country. For the Aussie Androfeme cream it’s ££ and private.

I get mine in the NHS so it’s free (I’m in Scotland). I specifically asked my GP for it for low libido so she referred me to the local menopause clinic who started it and the GP now carries on prescribing it for me. I get annual testosterone level checks.

Thanks both ... I'm going to get to the right levels of everything privately and then transfer as much as I can...I'm definitely going to use the low libido tip - yes pure misogyny. But also true in my case!

I too have complicating factors so am keen to approach this with lots of initial input.... which sadly means privately at the mo

The only side effect was extra hair where I put the cream. I've since changed to my bottom.

Aah interesting @menopausalfart

@loveyouradvice Yes, it was strange. Lots of dark, fine hairs on my inner thigh. They'v gone since I stopped using that area, so it was definitely the testosterone.

I've been using it over a year now and it took me 6 months to see any results but my god I'm so pleased I stuck with it. My brain fog is much better, my libido is back to normal and I just feel so much better. I use 8/1 sachet each morning, I alternate which thigh I put it on and I have notice an increase in hair growth where I apply it but if that's the only side effect then I'm happy :) Good luck OP and to the rest of us who are lucky to have been prescribed it.

I use Testron gel. I have no side effects other than it has restored my huge orgasms (libido was my reason for asking for it) and I think it helps focus. I’ll actively use it on pressure filled work days for the improved mental focus reasons, which I may, or may not, be imagining.

I haven’t noticed any hair growth, but I get my entire bikini line Hollywood waxed off regularly so it’s hard to tell. and I’ve had my legs and armpits IPLd so no hair there.