Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: JaykeV on February 18, 2012, 09:00:39 AM

Title: Androgel
Post by: JaykeV on February 18, 2012, 09:00:39 AM
Is anyone using it?

I'm thinking about switching from intramuscular injections to the gel. I'm kind of getting sick of weekly needles

Also does anyone know the cost difference? Is gel more expensive? Has anyone tried both intramuscular injections and the gel?  Switching to the gel might help since most people going through T shortages are having the issue with the injectable substance, and I refuse to take pills.

Title: Re: Androgel
Post by: geek on February 18, 2012, 09:14:36 AM
Afaik, gel is about three times more expensive than shots!

Haven't had the gel myself, so I cant comment further
Title: Re: Androgel
Post by: Nygeel on February 18, 2012, 09:20:14 AM
I can't say anything about gel but when I looked up patches the highest dose was between 1/4 to 1/2 my current dose and would run anywhere between $325-$500 per month without insurance.

I think gel and cream would be less expensive but around that range.
Title: Re: Androgel
Post by: Caldwell on February 18, 2012, 11:02:48 AM
Androgel is usually about $200-300 a bottle. Most use one or two bottles a month. Because there is no generic gel, it's far more expensive than injections, which can be quite cheap. If the weekly part bothers you, you may consider switching to Sustanon when it becomes widely available again, which I prefer over daily gel.
Title: Re: Androgel
Post by: Leek on February 18, 2012, 08:06:21 PM
I used it for a little while the year before last when I had run out of injectable T, and someone had some that they didn't need (as they had switched to injections).

Taking a shot every week or two may be annoying, but personally I found it way more annoying to have to rub gel on myself every day. At least with shots you can just shoot yourself and not think about it for awhile. Also, and this might just be a personal problem, but the high alcohol content in it made my back-acne burn when I put it on.

Some say it is also less effective than injectable T, and I believe it, though I cannot really say since I wasn't on it for long enough nor on a regular enough dosage. Personally, it was not for me, but for those other reasons.
Title: Re: Androgel
Post by: Felix on February 18, 2012, 08:22:25 PM
Also it can rub off on your loved ones if you aren't careful.
Title: Re: Androgel
Post by: driven on February 18, 2012, 09:11:58 PM
You might want to ask your dr. about getting the compounded cream instead of Androgel. It's way cheaper and doesn't have any alcohol to burn your skin. Not sure if Strohecker's ships to Canada, but they have the cream for about $30/month.