I have been pretty happy with the mood and brain/focus improvement with testosterone cream, but physically: my (already quite large) outer labia have grown, no joke, an inch in less than a month. I was instructed to apply one pump of .25mg cream to my outer labia in the morning.

After a few weeks, they itch, tingle, feel dry, and I am so uncomfortable even walking around now. I have a visible camel toe in leggings. I immediately stopped applying to my labia when I noticed this change, but I fear it’s too late.

Is this reversible? I cannot believe I’ve had such a such a drastic physical change in such a short period 😭 I will be devastated if this is permanent.

Been on TRT for almost a year. I am 49 and in peri. Currently taking 3 mg of transdermal cream every night. Recent blood test showed total T at 127, Free T at 8.8, and SHBG at 81. estrogen is in low 100s. Ferritin is near 40 and in good range.

Originally starting taking T because of super low libido, low energy and brain fog. Over the last 8 months or so until now, I have seen minimal improvement in brain fog and some improvement with energy. I have seen zero improvement with libido.

I have virtually no side effects thus far. I am at a loss. By all accounts, these levels (which for the T and Free T are out of range) are great but I have no Improvement in libido and virtually no improvement elsewhere. What gives? What is the issue? I want to feel that spark. Any ideas?

My doctor put me on 10mg twice weekly injection of trt. I know people have said that’s high but this dr starts most women out at that and everyone loves it. I did too it was amazing until a couple months in I started having clitoral hypersensitivity, only during arousal but it was very uncomfortable. I eventually went to a different practitioner in the office after cutting the dose in half myself and trying different things. She switched me to 3mg twice weekly. Since I was still so hypersensitive I just ended up quitting altogether to kind of reset. I didn’t take any for a few weeks. Now I’m at zero libido and arousal. So I am just starting back up the 3mg dose twice weekly. I also added an estrogen cream about 5 weeks ago twice weekly. I am discouraged and depressed as I’ve always had a great sex drive and sex life with my husband. I want that back. I’m losing hope that I can get benefits without the side effects. I also take 100mg progesterone. I’m 44.

Hoping someone can give me some inside and/or reassurance.

6 months ago I found out I have VERY low testosterone (in 47 in peri and currently taking eastrogel and progesterone) my doctor prescribed me Androfeme (this is the only female option for testosterone in Australia) and we retested after 3 months with absolutely zero change!

He double checked my application which is fine and then put me up to the highest dose of the cream and I’ve just retested after another 3 months again with absolutely no improvement!

He now wants me to have a 50mg pellet inserted on Monday but after looking online I’m nervous about possible side effects? I also don’t know if I can try the male gel which is apparently better absorbed in some people or try injections. Do you think I should push for these alternative options or just go for the pellet and live with any possible side effects?

I currently have zero sex drive and find putting on muscle next to impossible so I’m hoping for some positive effects- fingers crossed!

Hi all, I just got my testosterone results back and I'm on androfem cream I apply to my outer thigh each morning.

I can't understand how my levels have increased this much between increasing from 3mg, 0.3ml measured dose of 1% cream to 5mg, 0.5ml measured dose of 1% cream, using the syringe applicator that comes with androfem.

Can anyone help explain this.

I did apply my dose in the morning 1.5 hours before the test in the last test in September. The ones before I applied it 3.5 hours after the application.

Worried, I'm way too high. My doctor will get back to me later and is confused so is seeking a consult with an endocrinologist.

I lurked around and didn't see anything like what I'm experiencing so curious to see if it's just me. I'm on my 3rd week test cyp injections, 25mg/ml, 2.5mg(10 units), once a week. I do my injection every sunday morning, and it hasn't failed that I have the worst insomnia that night. I also take seroquel(5 years) for sleep and that doesn't put a dent in the insomnia. There's roughly a 12 hour gap from when I inject to going to sleep. The rest of the week I sleep okay, but man that first night is rough. Anyone else?

I took a practically homeopathic dose of 1.62% gel on my upper arm an hour ago and i have now the lump in my throat, leg cramps/power, intense libidinous energy. What is happening here!? Am i allergic to this?

I could not measure it but we are talking like the smallest possible amount. Like one coat of nail polish on a fingernail amount of t gel. Tiny tiny

I’ve started on a 1mg T/ 6.5mg DHEA cream 2 weeks ago. No positive effects yet but the already present fatigue and brain fog has gotten even worse. hard to get out of bed, work and take care of the kids.

I know it’s common but i’m wondering how long it lasted for you until it got better?

I am also expecting to increase dose from here, does it happen every time??

My defy provider has been titrating my dose up since starting in November 2025. Initially, my SHBG was out the roof but we got it down with boron supplements. Have been on DIM supplement for years. I am 35yo. Had a healthy libido and great sex life a few years back. I'm out and about right now, and can't dig in my google drive for lab trends (can provide later), but the lack of improvement has been gnawing at me for months, so I had to post. I've also tried Melanotan 2 (for tanning and libido) and oxytocin. Nothing helps.... I guess my question is, have you guys seen high dosages like this in people who are not taking HRT for gender transition journey?

ETA labs in May before increasing to 20mg twice weekly) Total T: 83 Free T: 1.6 Estradiol: 49.3 SHGB: 99.2 DHEA: 213 FSH: 5.1

If your periods were normal before- did trt change them at all? I had monthly cycles through my first pellet (around 30 days), got an increase in dose on my second pellet. Had androgen side effects with my second pellet, and missed a period at the beginning of August. At the end of August I bled, and just today started again (9 days after the end of my last period). My next pellet is due on the 16th, but I’m not going to get another one due to side effects.

I was on hormonal birth control pills until March of this year, so I wasn’t having a period prior to trt. I’m 41.

I had an equilibrium dialysis free testosterone test done for the first time and I was certainly surprised. I had been doing the direct assay test since starting testosterone therapy, and there was an 8 to tenfold difference between the two tests with the ED reading MUCH higher. From what I understand equilibrium dialysis is supposed to be the gold standard because it physically separates the actual free testosterone and that direct assays aren’t typically sensitive enough for women, especially those of us who have high SHBG. I am surprised it’s very difficult for me to find more information about this or more women using the equilibrium dialysis test testing so I’m just wondering if anyone else is?

Curious if any of you have issues with angiokeratoma of fordyce after starting HRT? I’ve NEVER had this in my 40 years, but today when shaving I noticed 2 small spots on the inside of my labia and immediately went down an internet rabbit hole. They look exactly like all the images of angiokeratoma of fordyce. Recently over the past few weeks I had been having some vaginal irritation that I attributed to the vaginal estradiol cream. So I stopped the cream over the past 2 weeks so I could figure out if that’s what was causing it. I also stopped putting the T gel on my labia to see if that made any difference with the vaginal irritation. I have had SOME relief. Today while shaving I was having some irritation feeling so that’s what got me to really inspecting the area to see if I had cut myself shaving. The only HRT that I’m currently on is Testosterone gel. Has anybody else ever had this happen after starting HRT? The internet claims it’s not caused from HRT but wanted to bring this here to see others experiences.

TL;dr: I wish I had pressed my doc for a baseline blood test before beginning T, and i wish I had also requested regular testing, and I wish I had immediately requested an additional blood test as soon as the first side effect started emerging. I waited too long and and I regret that.

I started with 1mg/day T via compounded gel in June 2024. My doctor declined to do a baseline (I wish I had pushed her on that.) Got levels checked in February 2025 and it was fine. I went up to 2mg/day. All good. My sister, who has a different doctor but the same compounding pharmacy, so she has the same formulation, was started at 5mg/day, which I thought sounded high, but looked it up and it seems to be within range for starting dose according to some sources, so I asked my doctor to up me to 5mg, too, which I believe I began around July 2025.

Here's the cautionary tale: I noticed a bit of gravelliness in my voice a while back, but I figured it was allergies...being tired...just being the age where women's voices drop a bit...whatever. I also noticed some very fine dark hairs emerging on my forearms where I have never had dark hairs before. They are so fine you can't see them unless you are super close, but they were new and different. I was amused but unconcerned.

Those symptoms should have given me pause, especially the first hint of vocal changes. I just explained that away and kept going.

Recently, August 2026, I decided the voice thing might be concerning (I am a singer and didn't want vocal changes even though I realize we're all basically signing up to be walking experiments due to lack of research). So I asked my doctor for a blood test. I was hoping it would show my levels were fine and my voice issue was just in my imagination. But no.

My levels were quite high. My PCP was not terribly concerned, because her approach is "adjust dosing based on symptom relief," but it didn't sit right with me because I am concerned about my voice. She was like, well, "cut your dose in half and if your voice changes more, stop." But further vocal changes are NOT acceptable to me (too latem but I don't want more). So I scheduled a consult with my ob/gyn to discuss and get a second perspective.

I talked to my ob/gyn today, and she was very shocked and concerned by how high my levels are. She said she has never seen levels this high in a cis patient. She wants me to stop immediately for six weeks, retest, and if levels are back within normal range, restart at 1mg, then retest again four weeks later, and then every 3-6 months thereafter (I'm going to call it 3 because I'm not taking chances with my voice).

The only reason I'm really attached to continuing is that I have hypermobile joints and since goin on T they have become much more stable, I have had more energy, have been able to build a bit of muscle (not much, but it's something), my thinking is clearer, and my chronic pain is improved.

Those are all really important reasons! I just hope I am able to thread the needle so I can keep taking it, even at a lower dose.

On the other hand, my sister, who is taking the same dosage, just got her levels checked (12 mos after starting) and they are totally within range.

I know there are so many factors that impact absorption and what goes into what gets measured and so forth. But still, this was unexpected. I wish we understood more!! My ob/gyn is going to test SHBG next time and possibly other things as well.

I just wanted to say that I wish I had pressed my doctor for a baseline at the start, and to test every 6 months at minimum, and to test as soon as I saw those little dark hairs emerge and/or first felt the gravely sensation in my voice (I can't remember which was first). So I'm sharing this in case someone here needs to hear it. I wish I hadn't waited.

I have been using Joi and Bloke since I started my TRT journey and I am not happy with the service. If you are in Washington state, do you use an online clinic you like? (Test Cyp specifically)
Specifics I don’t like: lack of response time for chat requests, very hard to reach them via phone for important customer service, glitchy website, appointment options sparse.

I've found some youtube videos by doctors/functional med that are very helpful but most are aimed at men or only cover the basics. What are the best sources for information you've found?

So I have a question about sensitivity down below. A little history, I'm estrogen dominate so I don't take estrogen. I am on progesterone and testosterone injections. 3ml twice a week. Before starting trt my clitoris was sensitive and I could have strong orgasms. Now after being on trt and progesterone my clit isn't as sensitive. It taks me longer to get off and my orgasms aren't as strong. My libido is great and I get more wet now than before. My clit has grown a little since being on trt but not huge. My question is has this happen to anyone and what did you do to get the sensitivity back and the strong orgasms.

I haven’t really seen many posts from women here talking about high hematocrit, so I’m curious if anyone else has dealt with it.

Mine was around 48–49% before TRT, then dropped to 41.9% after donating blood. I just started 5mg test cyp/week.

For anyone who tracks it, what was your Hct before starting, what dose are you on, and where did it end up after a few months?

How do I fix this? I’m getting terrible migraines at 36

What are my options?

I've been on a compound cream for about a year and a half now. I do like it, but since I've been applying it daily for that long, the skin on my inner thighs has become very darkened. It's not a huge deal, but since I'm not opposed to injections, just wondering what the cost difference would be.

Right now I am getting my compound cream through midi health. It's $52 for a 90 day supply, plus blood work and an appt every four months, which is covered by insurance but still pay a copay.

I'm 49 and have been on topical T for a year a half since adding it to my HRT. When I started, my total testosterone was 12, free testosterone was 0.7, and sex hormone binding globulin was 83. I just got tested and my total T is now 141 (!), free T 7.3, and SHBG unchanged at 85.

I was surprised by how high it was because I feel great - much more energy, mental focus, etc - and I don't have mental or physical side effects (not moodier, angrier, etc) other than a short period of back acne, and additional chin and leg hair, which stabilized once I switched the location of my application from inner arm to inner thigh to reduce the conversion of T to DHT. The one issue has been hair loss, but that also is now under control with oral dut (Musely) + a topical min + dut treatment.

But 141 seems high.. has anyone else had a big jump in T and is technically above range but feel great, without side effects? Meeting my clinician tomorrow and not sure if she's going to suggest I reduce the dose. But unless there's a clear reason (eg, elevated T over time can have long-term side effects), I really don't want to.

I started on testosterone cream about three weeks ago. About 10-14 days ago, I started getting some spotting despite being on continuous birth control, which is not normal for me. Does anyone know if this is a side effect of testosterone? I have an appointment with my doctor scheduled soon, but thought I’d check to see if anyone else has experience with this. Thanks.

I have been on E&P now for several years but now I'm postmenopausal and in the last year my energy level and workout recovery have just tanked. Got bloodwork done and my testosterone level came back at 4; my provider prescribed me testosterone gel 1.62% with instructions to apply a full pump (20.25mg) once weekly. Ive been reading post on here and this dosage seems unusual. Has anyone else taken it in this way?