Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So I have been finally put on T, however, due to my fear for needles, I decided to opt to try for this rather new, Australian invented Testosterone called Axiron. It's sort of like the gel, but instead you pump the medicine in a special cup supplied and only put it under your arm once a day.

It's relatively new and I was wondering if anyone else had also tried it as well?

Quote from: BlueGemFox on January 08, 2015, 09:57:46 AM
So I have been finally put on T, however, due to my fear for needles, I decided to opt to try for this rather new, Australian invented Testosterone called Axiron. It's sort of like the gel, but instead you pump the medicine in a special cup supplied and only put it under your arm once a day.

It's relatively new and I was wondering if anyone else had also tried it as well?

I have seen it marketed to bio men in the U.S. for some time now for low testosterone.  It is not new here.  I don't know any FTMs that are on it.  It will be interesting to see how it works for you.

Yeah it's been in the US awhile.
Yes, I've read of trans guys using it. However, I think the percentage is more designed for so-called low T. I've heard someone saying it was a sticky mess, and others who liked it. I think perhaps the idea is to limit exposure of others, however, I think it would be hard to dry there. Actually if you are careful, cross exposure is NOT as a big a problem as people think.

--Jay

Quote from: Brett on January 08, 2015, 05:16:49 PM
I have seen it marketed to bio men in the U.S. for some time now for low testosterone.  It is not new here.  I don't know any FTMs that are on it.  It will be interesting to see how it works for you.

ive never actually found it in my research and the doctor who got me onto it (very fantastic doctor actually) told me it was rather new, maybe new within the past six months or ect but i live under a rock too and dont keep up with the times haha!
but yeah, Ill actually share my experiences of it here after a few days of use

Quote from: BlueGemFox on January 09, 2015, 07:46:27 PM
ive never actually found it in my research and the doctor who got me onto it (very fantastic doctor actually) told me it was rather new, maybe new within the past six months or ect but i live under a rock too and dont keep up with the times haha!
but yeah, Ill actually share my experiences of it here after a few days of use

Maybe it is new in Australia.  Yes, please let us know what you think.  Is it sticky?  How long does it take to dry?  What is the smell like?

yeah its probably new in Australia.
So, Its been a week since I been on Axiron now. Surprisingly its barely sticky at all, and you rarely even have to touch the stuff. you give 1 pump of the bottle into the special applicator cup provided. carefully, you rub it on the armpit of your choice (best to alternate armpits every day/with extra pumps) I'm currently only on 1 Pump per day to see how I react. It is daily so it may become a little bit of a chore but done in practically 5 minutes flat. you will get a bit of spillage and dribbles (wipe that up with the cup) the first time you apply it. Make sure you open a window!! once you put it on, it stinks to high heavens like strong chemicals and can make you dizzy!!! The smell clears quickly afterwards and it dries within 2 minutes, so brush your teeth or hair or use the toilet or whatever you want to do to let it dry before putting on your shirt. Like any skin contact T, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before touching anyone and watch body contact with your  armpits. Put on deoderant/take a shower/go swimming BEFORE applying it though or you'll have to wait 2 hours for a shower/swim and risk transferring the medicine on your deodorant (if its a roll on).
It's a low dose however, so might not act as fast as others, however it has been acting rather fast for me, my voice has already dropped (but thats my genetics)
I instantly got a killer headache first time I used it, probably due to how close it is to my head the application site. Thats a common side effect and goes away within an hour, its probably enhanced from the chemical smell too. I' advice you EAT before putting this stuff on for the first time! I was pretty hungry and skipped breakfast (as usual) when I first started this. I was glued to the toilet hurling up nothing but empty stomach acid. It was not pretty. lucky this is also a temporary and common side effect and passed once I ate something. I have not thrown up since. though once your body gets used to it, you wont hurl when using the medicine with no breakfast. You may notice it slightly when you sweat (you will feel a little stickier than normal armpit sweat) but lucky its easily tolerable.
Its super easy to apply and hardy yuck at all, I'd recommend it to anyone who hates needles and sticky things on their hands.
Price im not too sure on, as My doctor gave me something to start off with with no cost, I'll find out the price in my next appointment.

tldr
so far in the first week:

Pros:
Less messy
non sticky
easy to apply
no needles
dries quick
Very discrete (you can barely smell it at all once it dries)
Armpit hair is not a problem for it
easy to clean up

Cons:
Smells strongly for the first minutes
will dribble when not experienced
MIGHT be expensive (I dont know the price im going to find it out next appointment)
Low dose (can be prescribed more than 1 pump however)
its a daily dose

Of course like any T, always get it properly from your doctor and monitor it carefully. Never be tempted to up your dose, even with this until you get doctors clearance for the change of dose. Make sure you read the booklet for it, as it lists all the side effects ect.
I hope this was super informative for yous!

It's very expensive. This will only be an option with some sort of health care or insurance. I use compounded cream, which is not, in my case, very expensive.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on January 14, 2015, 12:12:31 PM
It's very expensive. This will only be an option with some sort of health care or insurance. I use compounded cream, which is not, in my case, very expensive.

--Jay

I just looked it up and the average price in my area of the US without insurance coverage is $580 a bottle. For reference, androgel and the like are $400-$450 per bottle. So this is most likely an insurance only option.

Well, I have medicare and I should be able to change my marker real soon,it might be possible to get it much much cheaper after that, however thats only for Australia so far. I'll see if i can find out the AU price. but about one bottle lasts about one month

Edit: a google search showed Axiron to be a hell lot cheaper in Australia (with specific prescriptions). I'll figure out how much it will cost without a male marker on medicare next appointment in 3 weeks

Yes! I pay $70/jar which lasts about 4 months for me. Compounded pharmacies aren't a thing so much in Europe or Australia to my understanding. Of course there is universal medical care, which is not so much a thing here. The people I know who are on these commercial gels all have good insurance or health care.

--Jay

Quote from: CursedFireDean on January 14, 2015, 02:49:16 PM
I just looked it up and the average price in my area of the US without insurance coverage is $580 a bottle. For reference, androgel and the like are $400-$450 per bottle. So this is most likely an insurance only option.

Holy crap that is expensive!

Jay, which pharmacy do you get your cream through? I get Testim from a local LGBTQ clinic for $22/3 month supply. Obviously I'm super happy with it, but I'm planning to move out of the area in the next two years and I know a lot of the compounding pharmacies will ship to your home address.

BlueGemFox,

Thanks so much for your thorough review on this gel.  I am sure a lot of guys will find it useful in the future.

I am glad that you like it.  Hopefully, it won't be too expensive for you.

No problem! I could barely find much on this T so a review is always super helpful, I might put up am update in 3 months to see how well it goes. I got my fingers crossed it wont be too expensive, though changing my sex marker with medicare in Australia is rather easy, so I will be able to get it cheaper again once i get that done. Hope this helps other guys looking for non yucky gel ways of T!