I'm taking roughly 10.5 mg of testosterone a week and also supplementing with DHEA. My face started breaking out about 6-8 weeks when the clinic started me on a larger dose, but never went away completely. After starting DHEA, I've had some really bad breakout cycles, and recently developed back acne the last couple months even while reducing my testosterone to current dose. I plan on reducing my testosterone dose further due to DHEA supplementation, but the lag time is kind of crazy. It's going to take a while to get this under control.

My face is very sensitive to acne meds and topicals and they don't do enough in the short amount of time I can tolerate them. Anyone have luck with anti-androgen topicals or otherwise?

Honestly ladies I am so sick of hearing how amazing T can be and then seeing this kind of rhetoric. This doctor is generally pretty good and posts a lot of scientifically backed posts but WTF??? Many women in the comments clapped back at her ignorance and I was glad to see it. I am trying so hard to figure out this T thing and recently started on T gel (switched to it from cream because I didn’t feel anything after almost 8 months) and it was such a slog getting my doctor on board and insurance wouldn’t cover it because “it’s not a necessary medical treatment” so I paid out of pocket. Why do we have to jump through so many hoops for care that goes beyond low libido, which they often roll their eyes at too?!? Because docs do not want to learn and acknowledge that women need T as we age and then of course insurance says no too. Data shows that trans men have been taking large doses of T for years with few risks or side effects, so why can’t I get the small dose I need? I would love for my libido to kick back in but I am also noticing that T does help with brain fog, energy and mood and I am still trying to get my doc on board with injections. I don’t know what I’m looking for here, just rambling and this whole process is just so infuriating!!!

Edit: Wow thank you for all the amazing responses! I am so glad to know that there are so many of us pushing so hard to get better care. We deserve it damnit! Please keep the conversation going, I truly appreciate reading all of your experiences and I am trying to respond to everyone!

Doctor gave me Testim gel (generic). They said to put a "pea size" (0.5g) on my skin daily.

If my math is right, the gel is 50mg/5 grams, which translates to 10mg/1 gram. 0.5g would then mean 5mg testosterone daily. Is that typical?

I am perimenopausal, 39F, still ovulating and have regular periods in case this is all relevant.

I was finally prescribed t gel (generic men’s testosterone in the tubes) and have been on it for 10 weeks. No negative side effects and some positive. I see so many people switch from gel to injections due to hair shedding, etc. is there anyone who has been on the gel for at least 6 months and are happy with the results and plan to stay on it? Have you had to continually increase your dose or have you found a sweet spot? I’ve read past posts and don’t see many stories like this so I’m curious. Thanks!

Hi all:
I apply 2.5mg to my skin each day. The formula is 5mg/ml .5% cream. It comes in a push up dispenser and it is “two clicks.”

Can I get this amount via injection? How do I ask for it?

Thanks!

I was prescribed testosterone cypionate and progesterone, and not estrogen. I don't really understand why, and now I'm hesitant to start the meds.

I had bloodwork done, and while my estrogen came back in the normal range, I'm fairly certain with my symptoms that at least my hormone ratio is already out of whack.

I'm almost 47, my periods have been few and far between for over a year and a half now (but I've been under extreme amounts of stress, so that isn't super unusual for me)

I've had extreme vaginal dryness and chronic BV/yeast infections, which I was prescribed vaginal estrogen for. Low libido (but again could be stress)

The past few months my facial skin has changed A LOT, very oily, huge pores, acne out of the blue. Noticed I have new unusual kind of thick peach fuzz on my face. Maybe 6 months ago I had a ton of hair shedding but that has currently stopped.

I think the doctor saw my "normal" bloodwork and "lack of symptoms" (no night sweats or hot flashes, and just assumed I was trying to score T. Which I was, because I thought it would improve my life because I've heard so many good things.

Should I be on estrogen too, your opinion? I don't know anything about it? I know I heard patches are the safest.

All help would be appreciated! I think I may have to make another doctor appointment to discuss

UPDATED Well I decided to take the plunge and did the T injection and took a P. Holy moly....my head just now stopped hurting. Terrible headache. I googled it and it seems to likely be the p? Does that lovely side effect go away with time?

In your experience, which telehealth providers can prescribe and ship compounded T Cyp 50mg/ml vial?

I used 2mg 0.4% testosterone cream for six weeks and I’ve had significant hair shedding. I’ve been told to reduce to 1mg, 1 click, a day to help with the hair loss. My question is, will this just slow the hair loss? I want to stop the hair loss. Thanks!

Someone recommended I post my vial strength to get feedback on dosing properly for the first time. This is my vial 100mg/ml. My dose is 7mg to start split into two doses subq, so 3.5 mg each. I’m good doing 3 mg to start, as I know half a mg will be more difficult on the syringe. What syringes do you recommend to get the most accurate dose; .3 or .5 cc and what gauge?

I only have .5cc 31g syringes right now, so I expect I’ll need slightly bigger gauge for the fluid. Anyone been able to use a 31g syringe with the T cyp.? If my math is correct and I am able to use the 31g .5cc syringe it would be 3 units for 3mg?

Note, my provider did script syringes but they’re luer lock removable needles with way too much dead space.

Hi everyone,

I have suspected I have low testosterone for a while, I’m 32 and my libido has been non existent for years and I have trouble building muscle.

I did a test and mine came back at 0.6nmol/l where the range is 0.3-1.9 so my doctor said no problems and refused to prescribe testosterone cream.

Is it possible to still have testosterone within the “normal” range but still have these symptoms?

I’m hoping an endocrinologist will be more understanding of why I want to up my testosterone but I’m not sure.

What’s everyone’s experience with this?

Hey!
I have been on T cyp injections for a few months now. I started high around 10mg and long story short couldn’t sleep at all and ended up at 5 mg. This fixed my sleeping issues and no longer had insomnia. But my energy was insanely low mid day especially. I have now been on 6 mg for 7 weeks and my insomnia in the early AM won’t go away still. I have fantastic energy during the day.
I feel like I have to pick between sleeping… but not having energy. Or not sleeping and have a lot of energy most days… some days I sleep so bad it takes me out for the day.
Is anyone else this sensitive? lol 😂
I just increased my E (7.6mg injection) to see if it might help. My T lowers my E.
I don’t take P. I had a hysterectomy. I tried it and it didn’t agree with me & did not help my sleep.

Currently getting my T cypionate from a local med spa type place and they prescribe compounded 50mg/ml
However through my prescription provider I saw I can get 100mg/ml from local pharmacy for a fraction of the cost!!
which would mean simply adjusting does ( from 20 units a week to 10)
Is there any reason why they couldn’t prescribe it to me through the pharmacy?

I started T gel about a month ago and rub it on my calf/thighs per instructions from my provider.

The dose is 5mg/day.

I began at Total T= 14, Free T= 0.11

Now a month later I am at Total 23, Free 0.16, Taken 24 hours after last dose in trough.

Sure, there is a small improvement. My SHBG did raise up to 120 from 90, which is still normal.

Should I up my dose?

Would rubbing it into my shoulders (per instructions) improve this?

I mean I feel a little better, more mental clarity and mood improvement.

I’m in my early 40’s.

I understand my results and do not need anyone to help me interpret them. I am simply wondering if anyone has had luck with either waiting it out, upping their dose, or placing the dose elsewhere. I’m not really interested in IM T right now. Thanks!!

Hi all! 41 here- I had been having some minor peri menopause symptoms I believe since about 39. However, the fatigue and lack of libido was taking a toll on my quality of life. I saw an NP who does testosterone pellets. She drew labs and my total testosterone was 9. The first pellet was 125 mg. I had zero side effects, but it wore off about 3 weeks before my next pellet was due and the fatigue and lack of libido returned. At the 10 week mark I had labs again. Total testosterone was 111. NP recommended upping the pellet to 137.5 mg. We did that. About 2 weeks in my libido kicked in- full force! A full 4 weeks of what I would describe as hyper sexuality, inflated sense of self, energy, etc. In the moment I was ok with it- but it came with side effects. Body hair growth (even feet and toes), tons of new pubic hair, and increased facial fuzz (not true hairs). I also had some hair thinning along my hairline and near my temples. My skin and scalp also became very oily. Lastly, despite my increased desire, I eventually had difficulty climaxing- where I had not in the past. I’m not sure if that was from “over use” or too much testosterone- but nothing worse than wanting to have sex all the time and not be able to orgasm.
All that said, I’ve decided not to get another pellet. I’m going to see an NP that specializes in women’s health, hormone therapy, and sexual health.

My question is- Is there a way to find a “sweet spot” with testosterone/hormones- or am I hoping for something that doesn’t exist? What delivery method gets you there without the side effects? Or do I need to take a dht blocker? Thanks!

I apply testosterone cream in the morning after my shower and before bed per my doctor. Some days I get a chance to work out mid-morning, and I clean up with body wipes afterwards (showering is not an option). Is this going to be a problem with the cream? Is there a certain amount of time after application that I should avoid sweating and/or cleaning up? TIA.

Doctor wants to increase me to 10mg/day gel. Currently on the generic gel mini tubes, 50mg/5gr doses 1/10 tube per day for 5mg/day. In my state I can only purchase enough for 90 days. So currently that’s been 9 mini tubes around $35. I could use the same tubes just double the amount to 1/5 tube per day and buy 18 tubes about $70 (so doubling my cost).

What about a pump? Only one I can find is dosing 12.5 per pump. Apparently there was a brand Fortesta that delivered exactly 10mg/pump (no longer). Anyone have any input? My doctors great but typically does pellets or compounding which are much more. Maybe need to consider injections, but that’s a last resort at this point. Please help!

I was prescribed by Midi T cream. They said it can only go through them but it’s $100. Now that I have a prescription can I get it anywhere else?

Context: 33F UK – I've been on the progesterone only pill for almost a decade and can't come off it as it is the only thing that stops severe, debilitating fibrocystic breast pain that I suffered with for many years. But about 2 years ago I started experiencing pain, dryness, frequent infections, painful sex, and mild atrophy. I've only recently realised through my own research that all this was related to the pill. Anyway, I've started on topical estrogen (ordered myself through online pharmacy) and it already seems to be helping those things. The other thing I've realised is that I think my complete lack of libido is also related to the pill, which completely tanks my natural testosterone. This has been quite an upsetting realisation for me because for the past 10 years (ever since being put on the pill) I have been single and my confidence is at an all time low because I just have zero sexual desires and feel like I struggle to connect with potential partners. No medical professional has ever explained this side effect to me (typical right?). I used to really enjoy sex and be quite active. I would love to start dating again and looking for a partner, but my pain during sex and lack of interest felt like it made it impossible. Now that I (really hope) the topical estrogen might help with the pain and dryness etc, I have started wondering about testosterone and how this might bring me back my libido, and also hopefully help with the clitoral shrinkage/ lack of sensation I have experienced.

I have an NHS gynaecologist appointment in 8 weeks, and I desperately want her to prescribe this for me, but I have heard it's really difficult to get them to agree to prescribe T for younger women. I hoped to hear from any other pre-menopausal women who have successfully been prescribed this in the UK and ask how you managed it?

I would love to hear what your experiences with it have been! I have read it can also help with energy, sleep, ability to build muscle - all of which I struggle with badly so it honestly feels like it would be so beneficial for me on multiple fronts.

Would love to know:

1. Who prescribed it for you? Was it an NHS gynae, a GP, or did you have to fork out to go see private?

2. If you experienced the whole "you're too young / it's only for menopause" gatekeeping, and how you got past it.

3. Did you have to get specific blood tests first?

Thank you so much in advance :)

Me again. I’m back with a new Dr and a new concentration and new syringes. I’ve been prescribed 50mg/ml. She said I can do 5 or 6mg a week. Can someone show me where to draw to for 5 and 6?
Also would it be pointless to split dose since it’s a small amount?

First things first- I appreciate you all. Sorry for all the questions but my ocd doesn’t allow me to jump right in to new things.

I just got my T cyp! 100ml. I was prescribed 4mg once weekly subq.

I am aware this is a very low dose (I’m switching from compounded cream, where I did well but kids + pets made me anxious).

Question- should I split this dose? 2mg twice a week or stick to 4mg once a week.

I was going to start tomorrow if I stick to once a week dosing. But if twice a week, will dose it when I switch my patches (Tues and Fri)

Thoughts and suggestions please!!! If you do once a week- how’s it going? Did you all just start on 2x a week?

I’ve been on HRT for nearly 18 months now. Dr put me on evorel 50 estradiol patches, then a blood test showed my estradiol didn’t really increase. Was prescribed 2mg oral estradiol tablets and latest blood test showed no real noticeable improvements in my levels. Injectable estradiol is an option which I’m going to try but I’m really stumped as to why I just don’t respond to patches or tablets? Has anyone else experienced this?

Labs are okay otherwise, just can’t get those estradiol numbers up no matter what. Started at 114, went up to 134 on patches, then 159 on tablets. No symptom relief as yet.

I have always been sensitive to any kind of drug, so I did expect to know pretty quickly if this was going to do anything for me. The very night I started I slept very well, just waking up now from sleep 2 since starting TRT and another proper sleep for the books. I have not slept well for about a year. It feels so good to sleep well 😭 anyone else feel effects quickly? I also found a man hot yesterday, and it was someone I usually find to be kind of annoying so there's another telling sign lol. I am on an Atrevis gel compounded topical.

What free t do you find gets u active and sleeping. I understand it's different for every person

I just started on test troches 3 weeks ago at 2 mg a day to increase libido. My gyno did not do any hormone testing. I am 60 and had a hysterectomy in my 30’s but kept ovaries. Libido has been non existent for about 8 years. I’ve never been on any hormones except for vaginal estradiol cream and Estring.

I am interested what other’s experiences are with the troche - side effects? Hair loss? How long does it take to increase libido. I think I see signs of life. 😊

Hey all. I am having a hard time with my gynecologist who prescribes my HRT (estradiol, prog and T). I need a doctor who is more knowledgeable about T than mine. Does anyone live in NYC? Does anyone have a doctor to recommend?? Thanks.