Testosterone Gel: What It’s For, How to Use & Side Effects

Postmenopausal Women Are Taking Testosterone Should You?

When a patient of mine decides to stop taking testosterone, it is rarely because of side effects and almost always because it simply isn’t working for her. Unlike with estrogen, for which blood levels are rarely required, testosterone therapy requires being tested to make sure yours is in the right range. The risk of effects of testosterone gel in women who accidently touch the application site directly or through clothing are low. These effects include increased acne and unusual hair growth. If you’re a woman who lives with someone using testosterone gel, it’s important that you avoid all contact with the product. Tell your health care provider if you have an enlarged prostate, or BPH. Topical testosterone can worsen symptoms of BPH or may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

If you experience any adverse effects, it’s always best to seek advice from your doctor. For a bit more detail on the benefits of low testosterone treatments, check out our article. To help keep track of your testosterone gel, you can print off the TRTed Medication Tracker, available on the TRTed Toolkit here. Multi-dose pump capable of dispensing 60 metered pump actuations. O Wash the application site(s) thoroughly with soap and water prior to any situation where skin-to-skin contact of the application site with another person is anticipated. Testosterone gel 1.62% contains testosterone, a Schedule III controlled substance in the Controlled Substances Act. Testis disorder, testicular atrophy, and oligospermia have been identified during use of testosterone gel 1.62% [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.1, 6.2)].

Do not give testosterone gel 1.62% to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about testosterone gel 1.62% that is written for health professionals. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using testosterone gel 1.62% with certain other medicines can affect each other.

Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men. And just as happens for men, women’s testosterone levels drop as they age.

Topical testosterone can cause changes in your lipid (fat) levels in your blood, including cholesterol. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood. Topical testosterone can cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious issues in people with certain conditions, such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

Simply put, the fact that women’s levels of this hormone drop with age does edging boost your testosterone not necessarily mean that supplementing with testosterone will be beneficial for them. Furthermore, testosterone gel should not be used for the treatment of male infertility or impotence. Remember that when you use testosterone gel, there are additional risks for others who may come in contact with you.

Other testosterone replacement products include Androderm, Axiron, Testim, and Fortesta. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Men with known or suspected prostate or breast cancer should not use testosterone gel 1.62% [see CONTRAINDICATIONS (4) and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1)]. Used testosterone gel 1.62% pumps should be discarded in household trash in a manner that prevents accidental application or ingestion by children or pets. Patients could agree to continue in an open-label, active treatment maintenance period of the study for an additional 182 days. Geriatric patients treated with androgens may also be at risk for worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH.

There have been postmarketing reports of venous thromboembolic events, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients using testosterone products such as testosterone gel 1.62%. Evaluate patients who report symptoms of pain, edema, warmth and erythema in the lower extremity for DVT and those who present with acute shortness of breath for PE. If a venous thromboembolic event is suspected, discontinue treatment with testosterone gel 1.62% and initiate appropriate workup and management [see ADVERSE REACTIONS (6.2)]. Testosterone gel should be promptly discontinued until the cause of virilization has been identified. The prescribed daily dose of testosterone gel 1.62% should be applied to the right and left upper arms and shoulders as shown in the shaded areas in Figure 1.