I was wondering if t patches are as effective as t shots. The thought of poking myself with a needle is not pleasant. And are they much more expensive?

Patches tend to be a lower dosage/absorption compared to a shot. They tend to be a lot more expensive compared to shots. Patches, gels and creams do have one advantage over shots which is you don't have the highs and lows you get with shots.

I've heard from many people that they don't see/feel progress as quickly as those on an injection.

I agree.  Injections seem to be the most effective.

Injections are usually more effective in terms of fast changes.
T gel is probably better than patches as patches are known to cause skin irritation. I've never even known of a transguy using the patches.

Well they make them so someone must use them.

Most T patches provide the minimum amount of T needed to raise libido in old people. So I doubt you could reach your goals with the patches.

Quote from: emoboi on June 07, 2010, 03:30:14 PM
Well they make them so someone must use them.

Menopausal women.
None of the forms of T are made specifically for trans guys. Obviously "women" aren't supposed to be filling themselves with testosterone.

Darn, I guess I'll just take the shots then.

From what I've encountered, gels and patches work well with the physiology of some persons, and poorly with others, as with everything else biochemical in life.

I've been on gel for the past year and a half. My body couldn't stand even the very lowest dose of T via injection (50), and I went into severe hypertension with my first shot. I was switched to AndroGel two weeks later, and my blood pressure evened out, settling higher than it was pre-T, but not nearly so dangerous as it had been. My T blood levels are about 600, just right, even though I use only gel.

The results may be a bit slower, I'm not sure. I'm not a very good judge of progress. After less than a year, I passed completely and no one ever mistook me for a female again. My voice is very low. I have thick muscle development, hair and an annoying beard, and my face has changed shape. These seem to me to be congruent with the average span of adolescence in biological males in comparison with my chart of time on testosterone thus far.

You should talk to your doctor extensively and consider all of your options thoroughly before coming to any conclusions. I speak highly of AndroGel because the thrill of constant T levels does wonders for me, and keeps my mind exactly where I want it. I recommend it for that reason to any tguy who is anxious about shots, or who needs a good mental balance.

I will do but I won't be starting t for another year or so.

Quote from: emoboi on June 07, 2010, 08:57:38 PM
I will do but I won't be starting t for another year or so.

Loads of time to consider then, mate. You'll eventually come to the right decision.

Crap.  I really wanted to get the patches.  My insurance covers them but not the gel or cream.  Just looking at a syringe makes me nauseous, I have SEVERE needle-phobia.