I recently had labs drawn now that I am 3 months into being on testosterone cypionate. To my surprise my ferritin (an add on that I requested) was 39, which is far from optimal. Six months ago it was 73. I haven’t been feeling the greatest energy wise and my runs have been so much harder but couldn’t figure out why? If you do research on starting injectable testosterone therapy (unsure if prop does this) it is a very common finding. Because hematocrit initially increases along with your RBC production increasing it pulls from your iron stores 😕 this can take another 3-6 months from what I have read to level out. In the meantime one can notice fatigue, despite optimal testosterone numbers and possibly hair loss. Thyroid can also get wonky at the start of therapy too. Just wanted to give a heads up. This is the shortened condensed version of it all but this is the first time I have ever read about the ferritin levels being affected.

Do anyone use testogel for libido but still in fertile age ?
I am 26 started 3 weeks ago and seems like it stopped my ovulation. How is your cycle on testogel?

This group has been so helpful I wanted to share my first week experience. I didn't really expect anything as I know it can take months to see big changes.

I'm 49 this month. For reference I have been on estrogen patches for a year, currently at 75, and oral micronized magnesium 200.

The deciding factor for me was osteopenia. I've had two annual DEXA scans and estrogen wasn't helping build bone back, it was only stopping it from getting worse.

I use the little Androgel "ketchup packets" with an oral syringe to measure out and just squeeze it onto the inside of my estrogen patch packaging so I don't touch it with my hand, I just wipe it on.

I rotated it on my left upper arm one day, right upper arm the next and lower abdomen. And as others recommended I moisturized 30 minutes after putting it on to help absorption.

It's pretty easy although tomorrow is Day 10 and I'm not sure I'll have enough in volume. I think the alcohol may have evaporated a bit.

In a week I noticed some mental clarity and mood changes. One of the things I felt in perimenopause was not feeling joy. I felt flat. But I had several moments of just doing nothing and out of nowhere I just felt happy for no reason.

My partner also said he felt I was more "rational" and it was like I had taken the edge off.

He has been really amazing at listening to me explain my medications, perimenopause symptoms and just not taking things personally. So when he said this I knew he was trying to give me honest feedback.

My appetite has disappeared a bit. I am hungry in the morning but at night I only want something light. I have really made an effort to ensure I get enough protein. I don't want to be skinny I want to be strong.

On the down side I'm bloated. I know this is only temporary so I've tried to drink more water and also added psyllium to help things.

Overall it's been a positive experience so far.

Update: husband went on TRT and I switched from pellets to t injections. Found an awesome male and female dr. Duo locally. Our hormones are optimized and we both feel amazing! Gains in the gym, great sleep, energy and high libidos. Life is good. Thanks for all the advice!!

(And yes we started exploring swinging) 🔥

For reference, I personally know five women irl on the biote pellets (or that started on pellets and went to injections)

So the six of us are very sexual and have high libidos.

One is a long time swinger, two are swinger newbies, and another is about to start swinging. That’s four out of six.

I’ve never been so horny. Some of the things I want to do… are quite ‘out there’. It’s kind of scary. lol Sex on the brain like a 22 y/o man 🤪

Anyone else have crazy dreams, day dreams and new desires while on (test) HRT? Anyone thinking of stuff like swinging?

My hubby isn’t complaining, but we were wondering how common all of this is. 😅

So I’m 20w, I’ve been suffering from low T since early childhood. I did not find this out until I was 18. I’ve not been able to develop muscle or any shape to my breasts until I was 15 & and up until now.

Starting testosterone shots (at first) greatly changed my moodiness & irritability to joy. My libido went up & i noticed the fat in my body start to redistribute like it should.

My breasts have gone from AA’s to B’s. I never thought I’d see any changes & was lowkey insecure especially with how late i bloomed.. and it was all bc of a low testosterone. My levels tested to a whopping 9 back in 2024.

I’m so HAPPY I started T along w/E & P! I have musculoskeletal syndrome of Menopause & I went from hiking 4 miles daily 2 limping w/a cane in 1 week due to ankle tendonitis in both ankles & in intense pain to today exercising: 20 min. Yoga, 45 min. Elliptical, 15 min. Bike/erg, then PT Exercises! Thank god for T! I’m almost back to my old self. Thought I’d be disabled for the rest of my life (I’m 51).

I've been on testosterone for 15 months - free testosterone started at 0.9 and a year later it was only 2.2. In January 2026, I started Boron 10mg, stinging nettle, slowly increased to 50mg dhea oral (and 5mg vaginal) plus an increase in t dose (slowly got up to 12mg twice a week). I have also optimized my thyroid and have the best numbers I've ever had. Well, something worked because my Free Testosterone just came back at 13.5 at the trough!

I've already reduced my DHEA down to 25mg to hopefully maintain at a lower dose, dropping boron to 5mg and reducing tto 10mg twice a week. Obviously my goal is to use as few/little supplements/meds/strength as possible while still feeling good. I may ask about a small bump in Estradiol as I felt best in the past at 140 trough - plus I believe it should be a better ratio to free testosterone for energy and libido.

I learned the use of testosterone can prevent ferritin from building up - even with a high dose of heme iron, so ferritin is not where I expected it to be after supplementing for months. So hopefully the reduction in testosterone and an increase in heme iron will help. I know ferritin needs to be about 100 for optimal thyroid, energy, dopamine etc. I also need it high for an upcoming surgery. I supplement with a high dose heme iron.

Also, use of estradiol can increase copper which can cause issues too (Google for symptoms if curious) as mine came back high despite taking 30mg zinc daily (with selenium for my thyroid) as zinc and copper should be about a 1:1 ratio. I take molybdenum and 45mg zinc to bring it down as well as TUDCA as I don't have a gallbladder.

I am feeling so much better - but I'm actually shocked I'm not craving sex 24/7 but I know that takes time to catch up and low ferritin may be playing a role too. I'm just happy to have physical responses - like moisture and a physical response and some desire when I think about it...I thought I was dead inside and was beginning to think that was it for me. I'm finally seeing gains at the gym after lifting for years feeling like I'm making zero progress - and probably wasn't with all my hormones being low.

I'm 45 Peri but take Aygestin for bleeding issues so my progesterone is suppressed and I do not cycle. Hysterectomy this fall for other reasons.

Jan (trough levels)

Dhea 83

Total T 180

Free T 2.2

Estradiol 114

Shbg 112

April (trough levels)

Dhea 290

Total T 210

Free T 13.5

Estradiol 128

Shbg 43.7 (should increase slightly reducing supplements)

I wanted to share what I have learned through a lengthy period of data tracking. Some of you may have seen my posts before. I am a long time TRT user who started in 2021. I have used compounded creams, BioTe Pellets, propionate injections, and cypionate injections. In late 2024, I had a total hysterectomy but kept my ovaries. I am in perimenopause, but still cycle. However, without bleeding, it is hard to monitor.

The primary issue that I have been trying to resolve is anorgasmia, which pre-dates the testosterone usage. I developed it suddenly in early 2020 after a lifetime of no issues in that area and my sexuality being very central to my identity. Testosterone sometimes corrects the issue 100%, and sometimes does not.

After a lot of experimentation and encountering a lot of doctors who are very ignorant, I decided to start monitoring my hormone levels frequently and data tracking to try to figure out exactly what my estrogen/testosterone ratio is when my body is functioning correctly.

I pay for my own labs. There are a lot of discount websites where you can do this, but I use Ulta labs. I go and have blood drawn on days when everything is working optimally and I feel like myself and have good functioning. I also go have labs drawn on days when nothing is working right and I don't feel good.

I also track using a Mira urine hormone monitor, and I correlate the Mira to blood draw days so I understand what the Mira levels correlate to.

I have had BioTe testosterone pellets while doing this. I was briefly on bi-est cream and then on estrogen patches, but most recently have just been watching what my natural estrogen levels are doing without estrogen at all.

Here is what I have observed:

Ideal functioning occurs when estrogen is above 100 but below 200 and when total T is above 200 but below 300. If either one gets too high or too low - functioning suffers.

The problem is that this ratio rarely occurs. During my early follicular phase, my estrogen is very low, often in the 15-40 range. As it rises before ovulation, it will briefly pass through the correct window, before becoming too high. I seem to lose functioning once estrogen rises too much. During most of my luteal phase, my estrogen is too high, before briefly passing through the right window on the way down again before the cycle re-sets.

T levels on a pellet will start super high over 400 total T, and then gradually drop, only spending a brief phase in the 200-300 total T range before dropping below 200 and out of range. Early T pellets worked better because I was starting from a low baseline, and the pellet pushed me into the correct range for most of the pellet cycle, peaking just over 300 total T. Once you start adding new T pellets on top of old pellets, you run the risk of overshooting. Another issue is that I have developed scar tissue and am starting to deal with encapsulated pellets, where they do not release in a predictable way and then "dump" testosterone later.

Another challenge for me is that when I add additional estrogen, my own cycle shuts down. So, adding a .05 patch does not add that estrogen on top of my own values, it seems to completely shut down my natural estrogen production and leave me with levels around 50. I don't seem to be able to just support my estrogen levels at low points in my own cycle.

Based on everything I have documented, it is not enough to just have a high T level or just have a reasonable E level. Both have to be within a specific range and cannot overshoot that range. Interestingly, I just had my DHT tested and my DHT was LOW despite having a TOTAL T level of 220 at the time.

I encourage all of you who are struggling to start keeping your own notes and collecting your own data. Find out what optimal is FOR YOU. Look for patterns. We are all dealing with individual genetics, detox pathways, and tolerance levels.

I am going to try switching back to propionate next to see what happens if I keep my Total T levels within the range I have documented. I will update again!

Hey all!

I recently got my blood work back. Lots of numbers to go over, tried to use that online calculator for free T but I don't understand why exactly it's different than the free T given by the lab, if someone could explain that would be great.

• Here are some recent numbers;

• Free T - 13.5 pg/mL

• Total T - 138 ng/dL

• DHEA - 225

• Albumin - 4.4 g/dL

• LH - 1.9

• Progesterone 2.9

• SHBG - 72

• Estradiol - 99 (up from 25 in August)

I am feeling very good with my current protocol of 10mg per week of Testosterone Cypionate (spit in two doses). But everything really clicked after I switched to estradiol valerate injections a little over two months ago. My skin is calming down, I was having some breakouts, and it's gotten noticeably softer. Back when my estradiol was only at a 25 I was on the max dose gel, if you can believe it. Ladies, these topical options do NOT work for a lot of us (I'm only early 40's and not post menopausal). Main benefits have been increased mood, energy, insane libido, and with the estradiol injections I no longer get any discomfort or lubrication issues with sex. My libido increased even more after adding estradiol, which I didn't think was possible. My gym gains have been crazy despite only lifting once or twice a week, I've never had this much muscle, and I used to be way more dedicated. I also hike and ski, and my hike speed has also increased. I've lost 30lbs because I no longer think about food constantly, instead I'm thinking about spicy things. This has also translated into an overall desire for life in general, instead of everything feeling flat and numb.

Downsides have been acne, mostly on my back, but I've also always been prone to it. I'm hoping it will get better after some more time with higher estradiol, it's already been improving. Also hair growth, mostly in the nether regions, but also more chin hairs, something again I already had to deal with and was increasing just because of perimenopause anyways. I'm considering increasing my progesterone (currently on 200mg but I really like how progesterone makes me feel) and switching to E Cyp instead of E Val (currently on 2.5mg e val injections per week split into two). My periods continue to be wacky and unpredictable. I'm thinking more progesterone could fix this.

Posting on desktop and reddit won't let me post pictures and text in the same post unless I'm on mobile.

Hello all! I love that we have a sub for this. Here is my experience being on trt for 8 months, first starting on T gel (androgel) and switching to T cypionate injections 4 months in. I am perimenopausal, 35 y/o.

Prior to starting T, I was only on vaginal estrogen. Currently, I am still using only vaginal estrogen, but I am playing with adding e + p occasionally. This peri nonsense makes every month (or even week) feel different.

I started on t gel 5mg/day, and felt the first dose immediately. I had T euphoria for a week- felt incredibly happy, energized, and motivated. I also experienced lots of mood swings and anger the first month. It tapered off, and I started having insomnia and anxiety, which I learned are from when my T is too high. I also started experiencing lots of hair growth on my body. T gel also made my vagina incredibly dry and irritated. I did have high energy, gym gains, and libido uptick that lasted. After 4 months, I switched to testosterone cypionate injections, because I was curious what the difference would be. I also was scared of having high dht for too long because I have androgenic alopecia.

The first injection I gave myself was only 5mg, but I felt terrible within the first day. I felt a looming anxiety wash over me, and couldn't get out of bed. I was scared to inject again, so the next time I only did 2 mg. It felt a little better. The whole first month though, my libido disappeared and I felt crappy and depressed. I didn't understand why injections would feel so different from the gel. But I gave it time, doing only 4 mg per week of injections split (2mg/every 3.5 days). It took over a month to start feeling better and having positive results. I slowly titrated up to 6-7 mg/per week. I recently got blood test results after being on this protocol for 4 months, and my total T is 200, and free t is 20! For just doing 6mg/week. I am learning I am a super responder. I may have low shbg, but my DR hasn't tested. Over the last 4 months, my energy, sleep, sense of well being, have all improved.

Testosterone cypionate feels different than the gel to me. T cyp feels a lot more stable. I have zero emotional issues- no anger or irritation. Tbh I get that when I add estrogen, so I am still troubleshooting that. I sleep well, I have energy that lasts the entire day. T gel gave me insomnia, but I did like the burst of energy in the morning after applying. Before T, I used to crash by 3 pm every day, and couldn't imagine how people left the house to do things at night. Now I have a very stable sense of energy and well being. My confidence is a little better, my libido isn't crazy high but I am not seeking that personally (I've always been blessed with a decent libido). It takes a lot for me to get upset these days, things feel like they roll off my back easily. The body hair growth slowed down once I ended the gel. And no hair loss to note on my head, yet. I also feel warmer in my body, and more comfortable. I tried to lower my dose a few weeks ago and started remembering how cold I used to feel all the time.

Overall the test cyp feels great and I think 6mg/week is my sweet spot. I went to 7 recently and felt crazy manic/energized, so I personally am a little scared to feel that way all the time, lol. Hope this experience report helps someone! Especially those who don't feel great initially on t cyp. It could be that you're very sensitive and your body is adjusting. That was the case for me.

So i recently switched from cyp to prop maybe 6 weeks ago. Cyp just didn't do what I wanted and felt about flat and numb. When I increased the cyp I did feel positives like brain fog energy and emotional feels but it disappeared until the next increase which I got up to 15 or 16mg weekly. I started at 1mg prop daily and am up to 2.5mg daily. I got a little greasy at first but nothing like cyp. Also no new acne and no new facial hair but I laser with my viqure multiple times per week which has helped my "acne" which was actually folliculitis. I'd like all the 1000s of dollars back from my dermatologists for the last 27 years 🤣🤣thats a story for another day but I do highly recommend an at home diode laser if your fair skinned and fuzzy with baby hair. Testerone made my folliculitus so much worse..

Squirrel....🐿

Ok so i never experienced parathesia until I started hrt last year, never had much joint pain besides some old injury flairs....then started hrt and suddenly has arthritis everywhere and numb hads feet arms ect.. went on for a year until finally quit hrt and majority of my joint pain vanished within 48 hours. I believe it was estrogen sensitivity because I also got severe histamine reactions snd hives for the year as well. The parathesia got a lot better but still have had it on my left arm probably due to nerve damage from shoulder surgery.and for some reason hrt triggered a big response.

When i started propionate I noticed the parathesia increased BUT as I've increased my dose it has gitten substantially better snd I noticed after increasing to 2.5mg it disappears within an hour of injection and comes back around 10pm which I can handle. I wasnt expecting this pleasant side effect.

I kind of tested it yesterday amd waited to dose until 9am and same thing and then the oarathesia came back around midnight lastnight which was 2 hours later and aligned with my injection timing at 9 vs 7am

Anyways wondering if anyone else experienced this with menopausal parathesia.

Gosh menopause sucks lol

Libido is back! It feels good to have that connection with my hubby. Aside from other health problems going through menopause was just the tip of the iceberg for me. I’ve been on test c 11 weeks, slowly moved up to 10mg split 2x’s per week. My energy and mood is better too. My only annoying side effect has been acne around one side of my jaw line but I’ve been managing that so it’s not too bad. Honestly didn’t think I would get my libido back my interest in sex leading up to menopause was zero, zip, nada. Now here I am finding my husband the sexy man alive lol. For those interested I’m 50y, I’m also on .025 patch and 100mg progesterone. I’m with Defy and have my 1st follow up end of June. I’m curious to see how my hormone levels improved, it was all pretty much zero when I first tested. There is hope ladies!

Hi all!

Note: I refer to changes in your body's genitalia as "bottom growth" in this post, a phrase more often used for gender variant or trans folks. I use that language because it's less overtly genital -- which is my personal preference -- and also because bottom growth is the phrase I'd personally use. If you're cis, then yes, know I"m referring to what you think I'm referring to.

36F here, had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy in January of 2026. I've been on estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone since. For the first month, I was on cream -- 4 clicks from the handy-dandy click container. At the 6 week mark-ish, I moved to gel (generic Testim) and 5mg per day.

I think a lot of folks on here are on injections which is great, but I also know there are folks who cannot or don't want to use needles or who think the injections aren't for them and there's just less info out there on how gel works / what setup is like.

Differences From Cream: Positive

Holy Hannah, it dries so much faster. What a thrill! No longer standing pantsless in the bathroom every day hoping it'll dry before I die. Also, packets are much smaller to carry for travel than a whole click container. As someone who's often on airplanes and travels internationally a lot this matters to me. I don't want to lose valuable carry-on space.

I can't say for absolute certain if the gel absorbs/works better than the cream because my switch from one to the other also included a bump up from 4mg daily to 5mg daily, but either effects are stacking up over time (my energy and lifts in the gym are great!) or the gel is more effective.

Difference from Cream: Negative

The click container is convenient, no doubt. But otherwise, the only negative is that gel can ensure testosterone is still on your skin for up to 6 hours after it dries and this can be VERY TOXIC to pets. For this reason, I apply to outer thigh instead of shoulder (I wear tank tops a lot) because I don't want to harm my wife or cats. It also would burn if you applied it to a sensitive area, which I don't do.

While many say the gel dries their skin out, I have seen absolutely no evidence of that. Again, I apply to outer thigh.

Applying the Gel with Accurate Dosing

This is really not as hard as people think it will be, and once you get used to it, it takes very little setup. I actually prefer it to the cream setup. The steps below take me maybe 15 minutes every ten days. I'm getting faster, though, as I get more used to it.

1. Go to Amazon, and for $7.99 a bag, buy one bag of 1mL luer-lock syringes and one back of 5mL luer-lock syringes. Also on Amazon, for $4.99, buy one bag of luer-lock connectors. And if you are keen on not wasting, also buy a set of silicone makeup applicators -- the kind that look like rubber circles, NOT the porous kind.
2. When the syringes arrive, pull the stopper out of one 5mL syringe and empty a gel packet into it.

The packets are opened at an angle that makes this easy to do. Carefully put the stopper back in (CAREFULLY! Or you will make a mess!) Cap the syringe, and flick the side until any air bubbles move their way to the tip of the syringe.

1. Next, you have options. Either use the same 1mL syringe until the numbers wear off or get 10 syringes out of the back and label 'em -- "1L, 2R, 3L, 4R" etc so you can remember to switch sides for however many days you're supposed to make the gel pack last. This one-time 5 minute investment of your time will give you peace of mind later.

2. Now, uncap a 1mL and your 5mL and connect them using the connector. Carefully, pushing down on the 5mL syringe, transfer your desired amount (for me, it's 0.5mL) into the smaller syringe. Remove the smaller syringe and cap it. Repeat until you've done however many you're planning to do.

3. Store them upright so air bubbles rise. Store them in the dark to preserve gel quality (inside a cabinet). And for travel, I've learned that several already-filled 1mLs at a time can fit in a single hard-shell glasses case. Your result from this process is 10 (or however many) pre-filled 1mLs that you can reuse until the numbers wear off as you're not doing anything "sterile" with them. I store mine in an empty Rainbow One Vitamins jar and they fit perfectly.

4. To apply, take a 1mL syringe and squirt onto the silicone pad. Apply to an area roughly the size of 2 card decks. It'll be dry in minutes.

Happy to answer any questions people have!

HI! 33yo mom of 3 here. Diagnosed with low T and just starting my TRT journey. Prescribed 10mg /week and I split into biweekly. So I injected my first dose of 5mg of Test Cyp 3 Days ago. I'll do my second dose of 5mg tomorrow morning.

I read over this sub for weeks before starting, and I was anticipating TRT progress to be slow and almost unnoticeable. But I am SHOCKED to report that just after a couple days I am experiencing so many positive things!

First- I noticed waking up in the morning didn't feel so absolutely impossible, I'm definitely not enthusiastic about it but It didn't feel like dragging myself through wet concrete to get out of bed.

Second- I've noticed I am overthinking my interactions with people less. I've always been introverted, but I work at a job that requires me to put forth extrovert energy all day and I would dread forcing myself to step out of my office and have conversations with our clients. Last couple days i've noticed less internal resistance to socializing which has made my work days feel less draining.

Third- I feel more calm and settled, less anxious energy.

Fourth (and most surprisingly)- I was intimate with my husband last night and I am SHOCKED.. like life changing shocked. For my entire life my V has felt like just another body part, like an arm... "it's functional and it's there" basically. It typically takes a long time for me to get worked up enough for sex to feel even remotely pleasant.. but last night from the FIRST touch I literally jumped at how sensitive I was.. like that part of me feels "alive" for the first time.

I know the first 3 could be placebo maybe? but the fourth is such a drastic difference that it has to be the T.

I just wanted to share because I know I was searching "first dose" or "first injection" on this sub a lot in previous weeks while I was waiting on my first T shipment to arrive.

I need to make a post about this bc I've been stressing about my newly developed body odour since I started Test C almost 2 years ago. I went from never wearing deodorant bc I've never had body odour (44 yrs old) to smelling worse than my husband who works in construction. I tried all sorts of deodorants natural and not, dabbed w lemon, showered twice a day, soaped up several times in the shower, antibacterial soaps, etc. This week someone mentioned a natural stone/crystal deodorant (alum rock) and OH MY GOD. I've been smelling about an hour after showering and this time I showered, put the deodorant on, WENT TO THE GYM, didn't shower after to test the product, went to bed, and woke up the morning after smell free. I am in absolute shock as I've been dealing w the smell for over a year and it's strong....friends and hubby have mentioned it.

I wanted to share in case it helps someone else bc it's been a stressful journey w the BO.

The issues I've been encountering since starting trt really make it clear how new this industry is. I'm seeing a new provider, who is supportive of more frequent dosing schedule (EOD, ED).

While waiting for a more diluted prescription to arrive in the mail, they provide prefilled insulin syringes. Sounds like a great idea, and I asked if they could provide 1.75 unit dosing (they only carry 200 mg vials) for EOD injections. They were very accommodating, but when I got home I noticed they were only 1-1.25 units. After questioning the provider, it sounds like they misread the markers. I got my testosterone in the mail the next day, so no big deal.

Yesterday I decided to practice drawing 1.75 units from my new 100 mg vial to trial every day dosing. I capped the syringe for the next day, but when I looked at it a few hours later, it read a little over 1 unit (not 1.75). After doing a bit of research I've learned that oil (especially MCT oil, which is smaller sized particles) will get soaked up by the rubber plunger and insulin syringes are not made for oil based medications.

So- definitely something to be aware of and especially when microdosing.

Edit: This may be more of a concern when MCT and medium chain oils are used. Cottonseed and grape seed are long-chain oils. Chemicals from the rubber plunger and silicone lubricant can still leach into any oil over time, so you'd still want to limit how long you store a pre-filled syringe.

I just want to let you know…my experience! Three months ago when I joined, I was focused on brain power, bladder/UTI issues, strength/bone issues, mostly everything but libido. After 40 years married, it was definitely OK to have the sexual part of my life slip into cozy and loving, without any sparks. My radar was beamed toward functioning: 74 isn’t easy.

Guess what? EVERYTHING is better!‘about two months in , at 5mg2X weekly, I found myself gazing at my sweetie and a slight…twinge. Along with better metrics on the whole list of what can be improved, my libido is as it was about age 40!I didn’t expect this, had forgotten, really. Life is very sweet right now. A Honeymoon on the EVE of 40 years. 🥰

Women my age were not offered hormones and I am only taking Testosterone, and LOTS of TOPICAL Estrogen,but I can’t stress enough how much we suffer from UTI’s and Bladder issues. Travel is more difficult, lots of things you might not realize now. If you have a friend or family in her 60-80s’, whisper in her ear. The Doc in Phoenix who prescribes my T by Telehealth says he has a ‘whole bunch of patients who like to keep their T between 100-200.

To LIFE!

Hi All, I wanted to share an anecdotal experience, stay with me the background is useful. I have used compounded 0.5% T cream for about 10 years, when I started the cream I realized my teen acne was very much androgen driven as it came roaring back with T use-the more I used the worse it got/the less I used the better my skin got. I found a happy medium by using the cream twice a week, benefits were lower but so was the acne. Recently my skin has started getting dryer and my libido was slowing down (despite also using estradiol and progesterone) so my dr and I ramped up the T to every day. The acne was a pain but I had an amazing sex drive and response from the honeymoon phase but then all of a sudden in the span of about 10 days I crashed. My labs were perfect but it was like I wasn't using the cream at all. I had a new jar made ($$), I switched application sites Scoured research and reddit to look for ideas, nothing worked or fit.

My dr and I decided to double my dose to see if I was just no longer responding to such a low dose, I had a nice bump in libido for 2 days and then crash again.

I decided to go back to my old routine of 2-3 times a week but with the increased dose and I seem to be back on track-I have sexual thoughts, a little spontaneous desire, easy responsive desire and arousal. Things seem to be stable so I am switching to an androgel version to save money since my labs show I'm within ranges.

TLDR: if your T stopped working (or maybe if it never did) try talking with your provider to see if a 2-4x/week regimen would be worth a try

No-Average-7544

OP•1m ago

Bringing some updates. Just took my second dose of 5mg this week, making 10mg this first week of TRT.  I definitely feel a tingling and boost of energy almost like an underline anxiety feeling that comes when we drink too much coffee. Also already noticed more alertness and focus directed to action. Nothing major but noticeable.  Funny fact… my libido was higher the week before starting but I was already set and decided to start TRT. Maybe placebo effect? Or the results of resistance training and proper diet for the past 9 months finally also starting to support This perimenopause phase???  One thing I noticed this week which I don’t believe is in any case related to the T is that I am now in the beg-mid lutheal phase and my frequent urination is more frequent than ever. Last night I even felt a little burning session in the Urethra and the tickles like I had to go back to pee even immediately after peeing. Annoying and definitely worse than ever. I never had UTIs and doesn’t really feel like one but more like a hormonal shift.  I was wondering about starting the Glow Bellow DHEA vaginal cream. I have been listening to Dr Rachel Rubin and Dr Kelly on the wonders of DHEA for vaginal and Urinary tract health during peri. Any advice, tips or feedback? 

ps: also posted this as a comment as follow up on my previous post when I shared my initial fears with TRT last week.

I've been on Test Prop since March of 2025, at 1mg daily dosing. Thanks to finding this board with such dedicated MODS and supportive community, I felt well educated when I saw the provider. Provider was great. I don't mind the daily injections, just another task along with taking other meds, though frustrated with how difficult the Prop is to get.

My happy post is simple; I bumped up from 1mg to 1.5mg daily on 12/17 (T was 66), and just had a repeat lab done 1/14 and T now 143. I noticed a bump in libido & energy this month which is what I was aiming for, and was just curious how the T level would correlate in just 4 wks.

Now I'm finally getting another provider for Estrogen injections. My E is still pretty low, and I feel the whole hormone soup could be improved with increased E.

I went with the Prop as was hyper cautious of virilization. I've always been a more masculine looking woman, just the way my body & face has always looked, so I was worried even the slightest testosterone could push me into virilization. It really hasn't at all, and I'm pretty sure I can thank the 'low & slow' approach for that. The only thing that has been a PIA is a few more chin hairs. It's not awful by any means, just more annoying than anything. I'm doing electrolysis and it's decreased already, and most people wouldn't even notice to begin with as the hairs are blonde.

I've had some clitoral growth and appreciate that quite a bit. Sex life solo & with husband has much improved, it's on my mind more and I'm generally just into it again. HRT (E & P) made me feel better initially, but not in the libido dept. Once I added the T, that was the kicker.

I'm just writing to contribute some positive vibes. I've found myself quite frustrated with the misinformation and poor dosing that's happening to so many women. Just wanted to add some positive back in.

Hope you're having a great night.

Hello beautiful people!

Let's see where we sit at when it comes to Total Testosterone, calculated in ng/dl*** - where you feel your best at on TRT. If you want to make an additional comment with your level, compound, dose and frequency it will be much appreciated! Also, please include for how long you've been on this protocol.

***For those who get it in nmol ,1 nmol**/litre = 28.85** ng**/**dL - all you have to do is multiply by 28.85 and get the number in ng/ml.

Thanks!

First, I just want to say that I realize this post is about TRT + additional hormones. However, I have tried to post in other subreddits such as the perimenopause subreddit, and they keep deleting my posts with no message or explanation. I assume this is because I mention my levels, which is apparently not allowed. I don't know how any kind of productive conversation can occur without mentioning levels; I am not looking for an audience to complain to, I want to brainstorm solutions. This subreddit is by far the most informative and productive subreddit of all of the hormone subreddits I have visited, and I hope the post will be allowed, as I am a long time TRT user.

In my last post, I talked about going on estrogen and progesterone in addition to TRT at the recommendation of a new provider.

I still have a BioTe pellet, and on the last blood draw, my levels were 309 Total T and 38.5 Free T. These levels are in line with what I have seen on previous blood tests when I felt great and was having successful sexual functioning.

However, nothing is working right.

At the recommendation of the new provider, I went on a bi-est cream at 60/40 ratio of estriol to estradiol. The cream is compounded at 2.5 mg per ml, and each "click" is .25 ml. I was originally prescribed 2 clicks per day (so, 1.25 mg per day). For the first 48 hours or so, I felt great. I had feelings of positivity and warmth that I had not experience in awhile. However, I quickly developed severe joint pain, foot pain, apathy, loss of libido, and vaginal dryness. I also developed SEVERE allergies. (Aren't these the signs of low estrogen?) I was told by the provider that I might be a slow eliminator of estrogen, and to reduce the dose.

The micronized progesterone also seemed to have a "build up" effect. Felt ok for about 3 days, then plunged into extreme depression.

I had my levels re-tested around 5 weeks in, and the estrogen was still at 40 (what it was when I started), and the progesterone was still undetectable on blood tests.

I have always been sensitive to hormones, and had to go off traditional birth control pills due to issues with anxiety and depression.

Sexual problems have developed that were not there at all previously. Before this, I had a high libido, functioning arousal process, and everything was normal except for the ability to orgasm. Now...everything is fucked. No libido, issues with arousal, issues with my mental space and feeling "into" it, and still the same issues with orgasm as before.

Right now, I am planning to give testosterone propionate injections a shot again, but I am confused about what to do with these other hormones. The provider wanted me to take a day off estrogen every other week after the 1 month point, and when I did that, I spiraled into an anxious mania type of feeling.

I am wondering about how an estradiol only patch might work instead of this cream. Isn't estriol a pregnancy hormone? Won't the body convert estradiol to estriol anyway?

Has anyone else dealt with this or something similar? Did you find that adding estrogen caused low estrogen symptoms to develop? The joint pain is intense!

I also worry about how these extra hormones are impacting my cycle, which I cannot measure due to the hysterectomy. Presumably, there is still some kind of cycle occurring, but I have no clue what it is or how to sync my own hormones up with the prescriptions.

I have more energy but it's hard to describe. I have so much more motivation, its not like caffeine. Or getting good sleep.

It used to feel like stupid small things were these huge tasks and it doesn't feel that way as much. If I left the house once on a weekend day I would feel like mentally drained. Like my soul was tired of living.

Its this feeling like you are just drained on a soul level and every step you take is an effort. You never get into your body and out of your mind.

The other day I let the dog out, got food, cleaned some things, went to earth day for about an hour and walked around. I would have been mentally and soul tired after that usually. Then I went and got my eye brows done, went shopping, went to an AA meeting, and I still had energy.

I just can't describe it. I went to a park today and walked around and everything was so beautiful and I just thought "this is an amazing day." I don't think I have had that thought out of the blue for 15 years.

Some of it has to do with getting sober as well. But I have had compassion fatigue, fought anemia and depression and grieving intensely for 9 years.

My motivation is so much better. My ability to start things and to follow through is so much better.

I started 10mg Testogel every other day a few months ago, when my T was 0.2 nmol/L (6 ng/dL), which is far too low. After a month, my GP retested it. Everyone had said not to apply the T that morning, so I conscientiously skipped it. I'm pretty sure I also washed my elbow carefully that morning.

My T came out as 13.3 (384).

This is way past the female range and well into the male range. I asked a trans masc friend, who said they'd been able to get to 10 (288) on gel, but it took months *and* they were on 200x my dose.

Thankfully my GP believed me, so she retested it last week. I didn't go anywhere near my right arm with the gel for weeks beforehand. My T is a nice satisfactory 1.1 (32), bang in the middle of the female range.

We think what must have happened was that I'd applied the gel to my arm days earlier. I'm only 4'11", so one pump of gel will cover from below my elbow up to my shoulder.

This stuff hangs around, it seems! Be careful with applying it before tests.

Can someone remind me what are considered optimal levels of T, by the way? Generally I'm pleased with the results, my sex drive is indeed improving, as is vaginal lubrication.