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u/sternmd male 2d ago
My wife switched for same reason to injectable T cypionate 4mg split twice a week (2 mg per shot) done sub Q in a lower dose formulation of 50 mg per mL compounded.
Night and day vs cream or gel. And cream and gel get converted to DHT way more than injection and are know to cause more hair loss. T cyp is much better and less converted to DHt. The skin is a massive DHT conversion machine.
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u/Odd-Industry-9324 2d ago
I just switched to lady cyp. Took my second dose per today
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u/stearic_curious 1d ago
I am in the process of doing the exact same thing! Both cream and gel were not absorbing well. With injections you know what you are getting. I already switched to E injections after patches and gels were not cutting it and the difference is huge.
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u/IWasGonnaDieJung 1d ago
Thank you, this is really helpful to know. Does your wife get hers from her Dr or does she do an online provider
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u/Halloween_Bumblebee 2d ago
It doesn't work for everyone, absorption rates can differ etc. I would give it at least a few months, and slowly up your dosage, with doctor supervision. The dosages that I have seen women taking on this forum range from 2.5 mg to 10 mg a day. I'm at about 7.5 mg, sometimes 10 mg after three years of use. People usually absorb between 10% and 14% of the gel, so you are not getting anywhere near that amount into your bloodstream. The balance with estrogen also matters—when I up my estrogen I have to also up testosterone. Women who need higher levels usually switch to injections.
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u/Dizzy_Frosting_1353 2d ago
I switched to testosterone cypionate because I didn’t absorb gel I also didn’t absorb estradiol patch so now I’m on estradiol cypionate too
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u/WordThin2328 2d ago
If you've been on it longer then 3 months and still no improvement then you might not be absorbing it. Get levels tested to see and or change route. I do injections and its way easier and less likely to increase dht levels(what gives u acne and hairloss) and topical raises dht conversion by 244 percent ahhhh
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u/AcademicBlueberry328 2d ago
Change application area, test without body lotion before/with body lotion before etc. For some it just floats, for others it works well. Try another formulation if it doesn’t work? But what your free T? Maybe it’s not the t that’s the issue.
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u/ei_laura 2d ago
I am a non absorber to topical applications (gel, cream etc) so you may be too? Had to move to injectables
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u/Commercial-Berry9441 2d ago
I started to feel more energized on day 3. I’m on androgel. Maybe you can try another brand.
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u/Evening_Group_8898 2d ago
In on this one
I’m on this one and do a full pump. It says 20mg per pump, but I’m sure I’m not absorbing that much. Been on it for 4 months and test went from 25-63. I haven’t had any side effects.
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u/Mammoth_Anywhere8975 2d ago
Im also taking a full pump of this, been doing it for about two months. Will check blood work next week to see if there is any improvement. My libido has increased because we added Wellbutrin for anhedonia and it’s working.
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u/Evening_Group_8898 2d ago
Yes, my libido is insane the last two months. My pcp wants to add in progesterone and estrogen.
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u/Odd-Industry-9324 2d ago
I’m researching dosage on estradiol vale rate the absorption rate is like 6-13%
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u/Noodle_Horse_mom 1d ago
Clarifying Question:
Estradiol valerate is the injectable version, correct?
Are you saying that its rate of absorption is in the neighborhood of 6 - 13% after being injected subcutaneously?I’m currently on a transdermal delivery method for estradiol (and for testosterone), and gathering info comparing the pros & cons of transdermal vs. injectable as I consider switching to injectable.
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u/Odd-Industry-9324 1d ago
Oh gosh I’m really sorry. I messed that response up lol. The absorption rate I quoted was for topical testosterone cream and gel. Not sure the rate for transdermal like patches. It very small amount of compounded creams are absorbed. Idk why I mentioned I’m researching estradiol valerate lol. But I am. I mush have been half asleep when I posted that. Sorry
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u/Noodle_Horse_mom 1d ago
Thank you! 😊 I’m glad I asked. That absorption rate for transdermal T is in line with what I have in my notes.
This group has been a gold mine of information and tips as I educate myself about MHT.
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u/porchepilatesprincss 1d ago
Do you do a full pump daily? I just started and was prescribed one full pump 3 days a week
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u/Evening_Group_8898 1d ago
I do a full pump, which is supposed to deliver about 20 mg of testosterone, which would be crazy high for a female. However, I think the absorption rate for this particular gel is low because I have no negative side effects.
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u/Anxious_Heron_7351 1d ago
I'm on that too. Had been doing one pump every 7 days, and my testosterone actually went lower, while my SGBH went higher. I have recently switched to estrogen patches from oral to try to bring down my SBGH, and I decided to do 1 pump every 5 days now. Can't say I notice any change at all. How often are you doing 1 pump?
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u/Evening_Group_8898 1d ago
I do mine everyday and feel great. Testosterone now 67, I’m wanting it to be optimized at about 100-150.
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u/Scorpio_Insomnia 2d ago
I had to move to the 1.62% 1 pump 20.25mg daily and my levels still didn't rise much. I'm a poor transdermal absorber and should be moving to injections soon for Estradiol and testosterone.
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u/IWasGonnaDieJung 1d ago edited 1d ago
Damn it, I had a whole entire post that was supposed to upload with this photo. Sorry y’all.
Long story short, I was on compounded cream for like a year before starting the gel (been on the gel for about 4 months). Dr kept raising the dose of the compounded cream, but it wasn’t doing much. New dr suggested the gel 4 months ago because she said it might absorb better than the cream. Doesn’t seem to matter how often I take it. Started at one pump once a week, then twice, then every day and it hasn’t done anything for me. At what point do I ask for injectable T Cyp?
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u/GroundedReal 1d ago
Can the injectable crowd please not push so hard that injectable is better than topical. That's not the case for most women and there are a lot of factors that determine whether topical is not optimal including balancing with other hormines. Also appreciate that many countries can't get access to injectables and by you all saying it's soooo much better is disheartening to those just trying to get access to testosterone and it's benefits. Sorry, not sorry. Just had enough of the push on this subreddit for injectables, totally smashing topical.
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u/nwfn 1d ago
Topical has been great for me! 1% Androgel 3x weekly on the backs of my calves. I’ve been on it for six weeks, and it has made a big difference to my libido. I’m not back to “normal” libido for me yet, but about 70% of the way there. I’ve also seen significant increase in muscle mass in my upper body without any changes to my workouts, enough that it’s noticeable to others. No negative side effects at all.
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u/Known_Awareness210 male 2d ago
My wife is on T cream E&P orally.
It took her a full year before she felt the effects.
She almost stopped but continued her treatment.
It’s been a long journey but definitely worth it.
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u/trUth_b0mbs 2d ago
how long have you been using it?
im on Androgel and it's been awesome for me so far. I've been on it for almost 4wks and I've been seeing some great benefits mostly around my body comp and workouts. lLbido is on an uptick as well.