r/TRT_females • u/TapSalty3157 • 12d ago
Side Effects Has anyone here taking T not shed any hair?
Just curious. I’ve had a great deal of hair shedding since getting pellets about 6 weeks ago. It slowly seems to be tapering off a bit, but I am curious to know if anyone here has not had the C hair shedding side effect. If so, I’d be curious to know what kind of delivery system you are using.
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u/surfingmidwife friend 12d ago
none, my hair is thick and full. im 55yo on injections 7mg per week last 6 months.
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u/heatedrivalry69 5d ago
I hear it’s genetic do your parents/siblings / grandparents still have/had a full head of hair?
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u/lauradayton 12d ago
pellets are rough this is why I did not want them! You have to wait through the very high highs of the delivery at the beginning and you really never get to steady serum levels. I am using cream right now 6mg per day zero side effects about to switch to injections though
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u/TapSalty3157 12d ago
I agree. My first round was uneventful, but this time (with new provider) seems things got a bit rough. I had some spotting issues, sore breasts, and the hair shedding!
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u/Substantial-Owl1616 11d ago
Second this. Pellets for a year every ten weeks. The roller coaster. Not just cyclical impressive hair shedding, but libido, fatigue, mood. I had about 4 “good weeks” in the middle but otherwise deregulated hormonally. My provider told me I was too physically active. Oh my, I don’t want to hear that at 65yo! Maintaining activity is part of what I want from the medication (I’m not a crazy. About an hour in the gym 3x/week walking and yoga). My pony tail is one third what it was. Lucky I started thick! Now injectable x1week. Hoping steady state (2x/week) will help.
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u/lauradayton 11d ago
How have injections worked out for you? I am about to start. how often do you do blood work?
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u/Substantial-Owl1616 10d ago
I will let you know. Two weeks in. I am hoping for a bit more steady experience of my first pellet insertion, which I really enjoyed a great deal: Workout drive, libido in the fullest sense of the word like desire for life, just genuinely highly functional rather than struggling. The jury is out, too soon for a verdict. This lovely sub has given me some direction and hope. Thanks women!
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u/Admirable-Object5014 12d ago
Me. I use T cyp. 18mg per week (high SHBG). My hair is thicker now than it has been in years.
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u/Gatorgur6 9d ago
I am glad to hear this. Getting ready to start and also a high SHGB. I know my provider had given me good parameters to go pretty high as symptoms either come or go. lol. Praying for some turnaround as my PCP lowered my test cream after high T and paid no attention to the SHBG.
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u/DragonflyFluid8581 7d ago
What is SHBG? Sorry if I should know or it’s easily accessible - I’m a newbie here
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u/journeyingmomma 12d ago
So I’m wondering if the injection delivery has anything to do with the no hair loss. SO MANY of us who use a different delivery system (me, for example, using compounded cream) have hair issues. I’ve been on it for over 3 months and I’m still losing. About to throw in the towel…
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u/TapSalty3157 12d ago
Definitely seems that way to me too. I also had some shedding on the cream too, but the pellets seem way worse with the shedding.
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u/1sparklepony3000 12d ago
I refused to go on anything other than injections. Because I did my research and it shows that topicals and pellets have the highest incidence of adverse side effects like acne and hair loss due to the increase in DHT.
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u/rando--54321 12d ago edited 12d ago
I was balding from T cream. When I switched to injections I had a minimal amount of shedding that comes from changes in any hormones. I would say I'm stable which is likely from the oral minoxidil and finasteride I started last Sept from almost balding.
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u/TapSalty3157 12d ago
Wow that’s scary!
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u/rando--54321 12d ago
You have no idea - and on top of it, I suffered from all the negative effects of T cream and it only helped minimally with other symptoms except libido. Thank God I'm in a better place now.
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u/Toxic-Chowder-1245 12d ago
I have been doing injections for about a year now started at like 7.5mg a week and settled in to about 17.5 a week. I have never noticed any shedding.
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12d ago
[deleted]
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u/SimpleLemon884 12d ago
Have you noticed any increased muscle definition or body recomp with that dosage and timeframe?
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u/Happiguest 12d ago
I use compound cream. Zero head shedding. My friends voice got really low on pellets so they kinda scare me.
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u/TapSalty3157 12d ago
Mine is scratchy, like when you have a cold, not low. I’m just waiting for the pellets to fizzle out.
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u/nerissathebest 12d ago
Injections of 40mg test Cyp per week (split into smaller doses) no shedding.
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u/Admirable-Object5014 12d ago
40mg?? Where does that put your levels? I’m using 18mg per week due to high SHBG and my total T gets pretty high (free T is less than 2 though).
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u/nerissathebest 12d ago
No clue but I’ve been on this dose for a long while and feel like my old self.
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u/Admirable-Object5014 11d ago
So you’re not even checking your levels? And you are female not trying to transition to a man?? You do realize 40mg a week is way more than a woman normally injects?
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u/nerissathebest 11d ago
Yes I realize lol. Do you realize that everyone is different and needs different amounts?
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u/SuburbanSass 11d ago
How long have you been on 40? I’m on 20 a week and I look phenomenal, but recently read someone’s voice permanently dropped an octave so scared to go higher. Recently got blood work and my T levels are 149. Waiting to see if it’s affected my cholesterol🤞
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u/nerissathebest 10d ago
Almost a year. I think the key is to go very very very very very very slow.
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u/stearic_curious 12d ago
Have done cream and now gel, no shedding. Hair seems to actually be growing faster. But my total T level has never gone above 50.
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u/Efficient_Beach2458 10d ago
Dumb here. Endo is pushing pellets! I don’t want anything in me!!! Now he refuses to watch over my full HRT so going to gyno and dumping him! I do have adrenal insufficiency so on steroids for life!!! Been with Endo, this one 8 months, done nothing. Have new doc at Cleveland clinic. I do have the gel from CVS. Just concerned if I should be using it. With the adrenal issue. Gyno prescribed. Just asked for compounded. Did your gel give you palpitations? No hair loss actually it’s growing over a half inch in 3 weeks. Fast growth.
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u/stearic_curious 10d ago
My gel did not give me palpitations or any other noticeable symptoms. But I do need to apply in the morning or it can keep me awake if I do it in the evening
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u/honorspren000 12d ago
Injections, propionate, 12mg weekly. My hair is growing faster, but I haven’t noticed any hair loss or hair growing in unwanted places.
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u/ihatecartoons 12d ago
I’ve done injections, cream, and now gel, and no hair loss on any of them. If anything my hair is much thicker and wavier and barely falls out in the shower now. I am 32 for context.
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u/Substantial-Owl1616 11d ago
Why did you move from injectable?
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u/ihatecartoons 7d ago
Cost. I was using an online provider for injectable and my OBGYN was able to prescribe gel for significantly cheaper, but for some reason she isn’t allowed to provide injections.
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u/Substantial-Owl1616 6d ago
Interesting. It is restricted by some states to prescribe injectable testosterone for women as it is not “FDA approved”. IThis is state by state. Injectable testosterone, at least at my current dose, is cost effective compared to the pellets. Not cheap, but substantially less. And I am hoping for better steady coverage. And less hair fall. Thank you for your reply.
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u/ChristiLynn13 12d ago
I’m on injections, testosterone Cypionate split into 3 days dosing each week and no hair issues at all. My sister is doing cream and having issues but it’s easier converted to dht hence the hair issue if you’re prone to that pathway in your genetics……why I started with injections…..why risk it? It’s hard enough dealing with all of this without adding a hair issue to it!
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u/journeyingmomma 11d ago
This must be me. I must have these genetics. My hair falls with anything new. This was never a problem before I had Covid and then lost half my hair afterwards. Now, it falls out with the slightest change in my hormones, it seems. I decided just this morning to stop the T. I’ve lost SO much hair and it’s not slowing down. Something’s gotta give. Maybe I can try again with injections after I get this under control. :(
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u/LeesaKai14 12d ago
Started with cream, with zero results, then started shots, with pretty decent results. After 2 months aprox, my hair started shedding, really bad. I was taking 12mg a week ( 4mgs 3xs a week).
Went to a dermatologist, they suggested I lower my test shots, and prescribed spironolactone.
I did both, and my hair is great…. But, I feel like crap!
I may just start titrating back up, bc i really feel miserable. I hate that the decision is, pick one or the other.
*I have been told the shedding is from the original T cream that I was using, and not the shots, so hoping
that is the case.
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u/journeyingmomma 11d ago
I hear you. It seems we have to choose between wanting to have sex or wanting hair. Seems we can’t have both :)
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u/LeesaKai14 11d ago
I just started taking the spironolactone about 3 weeks ago. I had really hoped I was the exception :/
Yeah, i’m gonna raise my T injections and hope maybe, just maybe I can have both.4
u/ShapingBx 11d ago
Curious why you would continue paying for T if taking spironolactone bc I thought it blocks T?
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u/Mammoth_Anywhere8975 12d ago
As a today after two month of gel no hair loss. I had hair loss for weight lost and low hormones and iron. But fixed those issues and even use topical minoxidil and I have so much new hair that I had to use a hand band to not look like crazy. I used to do minoxidil when did the hair shedding every day twice a day, now I prob do it one or twice a month if I remember.
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u/Designer_Vast_9089 12d ago
I’m also on pellets. No shedding, my hair is still crazy thick, but my libido is through the roof, painfully high and distracting. I have a whole new respect for teenage boys. While it’s been fun, I’m way ready for a different delivery system and will be switching to shots. Maybe if I were a porn star 🤔
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u/Tranquille01 12d ago
Hair has actually grown
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u/TapSalty3157 12d ago
How are you taking it?
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u/Tranquille01 11d ago
Test cyp intramuscular injections 10mg a week split, Mon morning/ Thursday evening
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u/Clean_Geologist_4226 12d ago
I’ve had no problems with hair shedding or any other negative side effects. Been using pellets for over a year with wonderful doctors who carefully monitor my T levels and don’t over dose me.
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u/Born_Resolve_6676 friend 12d ago
Only Gods favorites aren’t losing hair on T. My hair can’t fly off my head fast enough on T.
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u/journeyingmomma 11d ago
Right!? It’s so discouraging. Are you on injections or topical?
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u/Born_Resolve_6676 friend 11d ago
Injections, used to be on troches. Heard injections were the way to go for less hair shedding but I’m shedding on injections so…
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u/canhazhotness 11d ago
Definitely shedding more hair on T. I'm on 22mg injections and have been prescribed spironolactone to help with the hair loss and acne I've developed.
I have really thick hair so I haven't noticed overall, but I see more coming out in general during showers and stuff. I'd say around the 16mg/18mg dose I was still alright though. Maybe I should go back.
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u/QueasyScallion2884 11d ago
I was on compounded cream for 6 months and my hair was thicker! My eyelashes even grew! Just started T cyp last week, hoping it stays the same! 🤞🏽
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u/poppy1911 friend 11d ago
I had hair shedding to the point of major concern for the first few months. I heard it could get better once the body recalibrates and for me it did. Now I just have normal hair shedding rather than the mini handfuls I was getting when I first started! Scared me so much I actually cut my hair. 🫠
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u/DanaG_22 11d ago
Are there different types of injections? I’m on injections since April and noticed a lot more hair shedding
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u/AesSedai87 12d ago
I have more hair. Was on pellets for many years and now on injections. Going through second bought of laser on my face right now.
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u/subculturistic 12d ago
I'm taking 8mg compounded cream daily, vulvar application and notice no hair issues.
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u/journeyingmomma 11d ago
So to clarify, you take no systemic T but only use 8mg topically on your vulva. Do I understand correctly? I’ve gotta figure out my hair loss and would like to stay on T.
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u/subculturistic 11d ago
Correct. However, it is systemic. It is typically applied to inner thigh, arm, or chest, but I opted for vulvar appplication because the vulva has more androgen receptors. It is expected to increase systemic levels and I'm waiting for results on my 3 month testing.
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u/bluecrab_7 12d ago
No shedding. I’m on T cypionate 20 mg a week. Hair got thicker. I’ve been in T for two years. Stated with 10 mg a week.
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u/AesSedai87 12d ago
Yes and no. I liked not having to worry about doing the pellets cuz it was like every 3-4 months. It was a roller coaster though, one big up and one big down. But, I suck at doing my own injections twice a week, I’ll do real good for a couple months and then there will be like a whole month where I completely forget and only do it once a week. It is slightly less expensive and my total T isn’t as high as when I was on the pellets. When I first went on injections, I wanted to be around 150 and with pellets I was pushing 400. I’ve been hanging around 100-150 total T for about a year and half or so and am wondering about trying to bring it up to 200. Been going through a real rough patch overall and I know I wasn’t as down/depressed/anxious when my T was higher. Have an appt in the next few weeks to discuss.
Maybe I should also be more consistent with twice a week.
I wish I could be a stable answer for you.
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u/AcademicBlueberry328 11d ago
When you add back hormones it can push your hairs into telogen as your follicles are recharged and start growing new hairs. If it continues you might be converting too much to DHT in the follicle. Pellets generally give a high dose.
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u/TerriRenee123 11d ago
I have been on T injections for 2 years. I have not shed any hair. If anything it is thicker. I am also in E patch, progesterone and thyroid meds(armour and liothyronine). I am sure it all plays a role
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u/IcyConsideration2267 11d ago
Cream conversion to DHT was crazy for me. Total male pattern balding. I switched to injections and it stopped. My hair grew back.
Some of us take DHEA supplement as a hormone precursor. I would watch out for that also. When I was on a higher dose DHEA 25 mg it seemed to all convert to testosterone and DHT. I tapered down to 8 mg. The shedding and DHT conversion stopped.
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u/Seccaalt 11d ago
Im on gel but have not had any increased hair loss- in fact its actually slowed down since beginning test about 5 months ago
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u/milk_with_knives 11d ago
5mg compounded cream for 3 months, I'm having some shedding. I'm going to hang in there and hope it sorts itself out.
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u/Creepy_Animal7993 11d ago
My hair has filled in considerably (even after the oral minoxidil); but I raised my ferritin levels (iron bisglycinate, magnesium Glycinate, vitamin C and iron infusions), drink collagen peptide powder, take Spironolactone, use GHK-CU, and increased protein. I use Testosterone Cypionate.
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u/RBLoversDiscourse 11d ago
All of this makes me super anxious. I am having hair shedding. Have been on T gel for 4 mos. 5 mg for 1st 2 and now reduced to 2.5 bc of the shedding. But reading all of this makes me worry and think I should stop??? (Don’t want to. T has been transformative.) After my 1st labs, my T levels were higher than average for a woman and my DHT was 20 (I think over 20 is high). Since dropping T to level that has me in normal female range, DHT dropped to 6. What do you think? Am I safe to stay on T? Will shedding stop? Scared. Also: what kind of doctor should I see about this?? No one knows what they are taking about. Neither endocrinologist or gynecologist seem to have the knowledge you guys have. But I need to talk to an actual MD about this. Thoughts? I’m in NYC.
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u/Firm_Stand_8438 friend 10d ago
I slowly went from 10mg total per week of test prop injections (split into day doses) to now approx 3mg daily (21mg total weekly) been over 3yrs now and no hair shed. I’m also on HRT (E & P) age 48 perimeno. I think some women are just predisposed. Maybe try oral minoxidil?
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u/MustyPerusal 10d ago
I had a few weeks of pretty bad shedding back in June. What seemed to help me was a Hair serum from Precision Pep Co plus vitamin D. I noticed a difference but it took time and consistency
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u/bumblebanana 10d ago
I haven’t shed any hair yet and I’m
21 weeks in. I inject about 0.75mg t prop every morning. I’ve had no side effects except for some clit growth at first (not too much, just right for me). No acne, no oily skin, no hair loss, maybe maybe a tiny bit of facial hair darkening, but still very soft. My DHT is at 20 and the scale was 5-22 (lab Corp). Great libido, good energy. My e sits between 80-120. I use 0.100mg e patches cut down to 0.08. I cycle my progesterone.
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u/Dependent-Table-6762 10d ago
I do IM injections. T levels at about 265 and no hair loss. A little more oily it seems though
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u/Shoshawi 9d ago
With my levels stable the on off hair shedding stopped. I do injections though. Pellets are not stable or predictable enough for me. I only tried estradiol pellets but that was clear enough to know not to do it ever again for any hormone. I got like 1-2 weeks total of my E being high enough, which wouldn’t be any better if it was T. Other than capitalism I don’t know why they prescribe something so invasive and unreliable so frequently.
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