Low testosterone, or hypogonadism, occurs in both men and women and can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is known as the main male sex hormone. However, for both males and females, testosterone is responsible for a number of bodily functions, most notably the development of sex organs and sex drive. The treatment method options for testosterone replacement therapy include injections, pills, patches, pellets, and nasal spray, and creams/gels.
Topical treatments like creams and gels are one of the most common methods for treating low testosterone. There are many advantages to the topical form of treatment versus the other forms. When considering testosterone cream vs injections, topical creams are less invasive than injections, and require less visits to the doctor’s office as you can apply it to yourself from the comfort of your home. Also, the daily use of testosterone cream mimics endogenous production of testosterone; keeping your testosterone level fluctuation to a minimum. One downside to this option is it’s a bit more expensive, but not by too much.
There are several types of testosterone cream, but you should talk to your doctor to decide which is best for you. If you’re wondering when to use testosterone cream, it can really depend on your testosterone cream dosage, but it’s usually best to do it at the same time every day. In general, the best time of day to apply testosterone cream is in the morning. If you do choose to apply it at night, just make sure to wait at least an hour after application if you plan to shower to ensure the best absorption.
Body Location Options to Apply Testosterone Cream
Whether you’re a male or female, if you’ve spoken to your doctor and received your testosterone topical cream, you’re probably wondering the best place on your body where you should be applying hormone cream. Location varies slightly on gender, and also on how much you’re using. Testosterone hormone creams come in little packets, tubes, and bottles.
Men essentially have three recommended options:
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Abdomen
Because testosterone creams for women are less common and studied, there are varied recommendations, but these are the most common:
- Upper/inner thighs
- Lower abdomen
- Upper inner arms
- Inner forearm
Before applying the cream, make sure the skin in the area is clean, dry, and unbroken. It is best to do it after the shower, when you’re fully dry. After you’ve applied, wash your hands thoroughly and allow a few minutes for the cream to dry, and then cover up the area with clothing to eliminate possible exposure to others. How long does it take for testosterone cream to absorb in order to avoid exposing others? Again, it depends on the dosage, but most creams take only a few hours. To be safe, though, allow four hours to let it fully absorb into your skin before coming into contact with other people.
It should be noted that under no circumstances should you apply the cream on or anywhere near your genitals. It may seem like it would make sense as it’s near your sex organs, but the cream’s proximity to these organs does not impact their effect or potency. The chemicals in these creams could be damaging to the sensitive skin in these areas.
Conclusion
Now that you know where to apply hormone cream, keep in mind that both testosterone cream for men and female testosterone cream have high transference risks. This means if you aren’t good about washing your hands, clothes, sheets, and everything else that comes in contact with skin afterwards, you risk leaving residue. The effects of these unnecessary hormone chemicals on others can be severe. You should only be applying testosterone cream if a medical professional has prescribed it.
You might also be wondering, how soon does testosterone cream work? For this particular treatment, results are not immediate. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to start seeing/feeling the results, even longer to feel the maximum impact.