Starting topical testosterone HRT
Testosterone plays an important role in energy, strength, mood, muscle, and overall well-being.
Application:
Apply the compounded cream to rotating skin sites daily. This means don't put it in the same spot every day. Women often use thighs, hips, lower abdomen, etc after they shower or before getting dressed for the day.
Wash your hands after application and keep it out of reach of children. Testosterone absorbs well through the skin. Once it dries on your skin, far less transfers to others.
Cost: out of pocket for women. There is no FDA approved or insurance covered testosterone for women at this time.
180 day supply tends to be around $100
Even if the pharmacy says you need a prior auth, it still not become approved
Typically we prescribe Testim and use GoodRx coupon.
Testim Tubes (1% Gel): A standard monthly supply of 30 tubes (5g of 1% gel each) carries an average cash retail price of $395.92, but drops to $94.18 with a standard coupon.
Men use one full individual tube daily. Women use peasize amount 1/8th tube.
Weeks 1-2
-possible water retention, body will adjust weight will return to baseline unless dose is too high
-mood improvement, mental clarity
-increase in energy
Weeks 3-6
-libido, in women tends to more responsiveness to arousal attempts and less time to orgasm
-improvement in vaginal dryness
-improvement in sleep quality
(if irritability or mood swings, we need to check levels to make sure not too high)
Weeks 6-12
-increase in lean muscle mass and muscle tone and metabolism (make sure appetite is not
significantly increased)
-decrease in abdominal fat
-improvement in skin elasticity, may become slightly oily
(if acne or thinning hair, we need to check levels to make sure not too high)
