over the counter???

[Wil Najera]

hey, i'm curious if anyone knows of any OTC T gels, patches, or creams... any info will help. i'm going to start taking some different vitamins and such to boost T levels and lower estrogen. just wanted to know what else i can do naturally/without perscritption untill i can afford a doctor and T injections. thanks guys!

[mechakitty]

Raising testosterone levels unnaturally without a doctor's supervision is probably not a good idea, especially if you consider the potential adverse reactions one can experience, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can fill in with further detail on this topic.

[Sabriel Facrin]

Besides that it's risky and all, it's generally fruitless, from what I've learned.  Stores that sell OTC hormones sell them in lower amounts that are not designed to help transition, but rather for assisting cisgenders who have slightly unusual hormonal levels.
I do believe that we have rules over the forums' rules that we can't discuss this kind of information, so instead I would suggest asking if there's cheaper methods if you're really at an impatient state, to hold off until you can fix things to be able to afford it.  It's more important to transition with STABILITY than to transition in the first place.

[mechakitty]

Haha, hilariously, I was listening to the radio the other day, and there's a new commercial for a product that's supposted to "RAISE TESTOSTERONE LEVELS BY 80%! REGAIN YOUR MANLINESS!!!" or something, and I was wondering to myself, "Well that doesn't sound too safe, now does it."

[regan]

There is no evidence that the "herbal" remedies work, but then again there is no conclusive evidence that they don't work.  So the only guarantee is that you'll be out the money you spent on them.  There is the risk of side effects as well so make sure you research clearly what you're getting yourself into and what to realistically expect.

The feeling of not being able to do anything towards transition is frustrating and actually rather common.  Keep in mind though, the more abstractly you look at what is and isn't transition related, the happier you will be.  Getting an education so you can get a better job and afford transition - transition related.  Working every hour of overtime you can and saving the money for transition - transition related.