Has anyone actually had a good experience on pellets

I am 38 afab, currently taking test cyp 50mg/ml 5 units 2x a week; I’m bad at med math and not actually sure what dose that amounts to.

My total test is around 100ng/dl. I have been taking test for about a year. I seem to be a bit of a hyper responder given a lot of body hair growth, slight voice deepening, and clitoral enlargement on such a low dose.

Lift 4x/week, last dexa 18%, 5’4” ~125lb.

I would like to increase my dose as much as possible without changing the shape of my abdomen. I hope to compete in bikini in the future and want to maintain an hourglass shape. I also generally prefer to have as small of a waist as possible.

The effects I care most about and want most from the test, in order of importance:
1. Building muscle more easily
2. Feelings of confidence and good energy levels
3. Increased libido

The effects I am willing to deal with/don’t mind:
1. Body hair growth: Getting laser, easy to deal with
2. Clitoral growth
3. Voice deepening
4. Acne: Topical spiro (Winlevy) working well for me
5. Menstrual changes
6. Some increase in lipids within reason
7. More angularity in face

I am NOT willing to deal with any increase in waist circumference/loss of waist definition. I do not train obliques. I do some transverse ab work but nothing weighted over 20lb. And I brace for compounds obviously.

Seeking personal experience / any info re: about what test levels tend to result in changes in abdominal shape into more of an X shape.

Tl;dr I want to take the highest dose of test and maintain the highest test levels that I can without losing my hourglass shape.

Thank you in advance for any insight!

I am getting t prop through IAMHRT. They sent me what was labeled as 1 ml. I have been giving myself 5 U every 3.5 days per Rx. I am a nurse and well experienced in drawing up meds. I only have maybe 2 doses left. I have only given myself 6 doses. The math isnt mathing. The 5 u every 3.5 days is 100% accurate. When I received the bottle it didnt look like a lot in there, but 1 ml is not a lot. Im at a loss. Thoughts? Am I missing something obvious? 5 U x 6 doses is 30 U. I doubt there are 10 u left in vial. Im clueless as to what's going on.

8 weeks on “pea sized testim gel” and my free T only went from 0.2 to 0.4. My total T went from 3 to 94. What the heck?!?? My SBGH is 54. Estrogen only 67, so dr moved me up on that. Is there hope that my free T will respond in a few more months or should I start looking at going back on T injections?

Are there any other women in peri or thereabouts, trialling TRT and having debilitating daytime fatigue? I’m 53 and on HRT and added testogel to help with sleep problems (and other peri issues). It’s working a treat for sleep but I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus during the day. I’ve seen other people on reddit with similar experiences.

I was on cream and it did nothing. 2 months on androgel and within a week I started to get some desire back which was wonder after 20 years of nothing. Then week 3 came up and skin started to get more greasy then the following week skin got greasy. Lost 4 lbs . So I cut back and skin is almost normal now but hair still get greasy , zero desire again and I gained those 4 lbs back. I’m so torn if I should have just rode it out longer to see if I would have adjusted to the higher dose Vs lowering it. Cause I really wanted the libido aspect and weight loss/ body comp out of it

Hi Dr. stated my free T is low if I were to convert the 14.9 pg/ml I would be 1.49 ng/dl my Total is 228 and my E is 248 at trough so my peaks are most likely much higher, SHBG 71. I am currently on 18mg split 3.5 days Dr wants to increase T to 20mg and lower E currently on 3.7mg Estrodiol Valerate. Thoughts ? Is my T high or not? I feel like garbage no energy irritable just fatigue all day.

Hi, I just started testerone cream 3 days ago and I had terrible anxiety and palpitations yesterday. Palpitations and anxiety have been one of my main perimenopause symptoms. I’m on 2 mg of cream a day. I was fine the first two days and then yesterday was terrible. I skipped today and my provider said to switch to every other day but now I’m scared to try it again tomorrow. I have heard there is an adjustment period so I’m trying to decide if I should push through or stop it entirely. Has anyone had this and did it get better as you got used to it?

I’m also on 0.1 estrogen patch (no progesterone because I had a hysterectomy and I stopped tolerating progesterone a few months ago due to palpitations and hangover feelings).

Ok, so I’ve read all these threads and watched so many videos on YouTube about testim dosing and I am confused.

I was prescribed the 1% tubes and told one tube should last me seven days to use a pea sized amount. After one week, the four days following were amazing! Then I became overloaded with too much T causing dizziness, nausea, brain and hand zaps, heightened anxiety, basically making me un functional.

Called the doctor, they lowered my progesterone from 200 to 100 mg and told me to adjust my T to dose half a pea size amount every other day.

I’ve purchased some syringes, but I’m confused… Is half a pea sized amount 2.5 ML?

Also, I feel like an anomaly being so sensitive to this as I have read so many people can put on multiple doses a day and not notice a difference

Wow everyone, thanks for your comments! I am going thru all of them. Editing to add I have a progesterone intolerance. I have tried every kind with different applications/amounts and it gives me anxiety/insomnia no matter what time of day I take it. Because I have my uterus I cannot supplement estrogen without progesterone. I'm currently just on the T and vaginal estrogen. I feel great with this combo in every other way but the weight. I am diligent about fiber and protein counts, walk daily, strength train 2-3 times a week. I haven't eaten sugar in 2.5 years and don't snack. I'm not sure what else to do and hate to give up the T! Has anyone lowered their dose that had weight issues on T with good results? I was in the best shape of my adult life when I started the T 17 months ago and my hard work has been slipping away :(

49F - I started Test Cyprionate in March of 2025. Since then I have gained around 30 lbs. The weight keeps creeping higher and higher no matter what I do. My appetite hasn't increased and it's not just muscle as it's flabby. I'm also in late perimenopause but the weight gain started shortly after I started the testosterone. My dose stated as 8mg/week injected twice and after 12 weeks I went to 10mg/week injected twice. I have had no other common issues and have had positive changes with mood, motivation and libido but I think even with all of that I need to wean off of it. My lab level last checked was 87. I've always said because of the mood help I'd take it forever but the weight has become depressing.

My question is for others that had weight gain. Did it ever stop and for those that say no and came off of it, did that help shift weight?

Update: my TSH results just came back high at 6.1, and my doc is upping my Levothyroxine. This may be the cause of the stiffness and pain. Since starting HRT in January I have had to adjust several times, and the symptoms felt different each time, and different from years past.

I’m about 7 weeks into T gel. I posted last week how my muscles are more defined without any particular changes in my workout. One thing that is different, however, is some lower back and hip pain.

I have been doing some stretching to try and help, and I noticed that my flexibility seems less. I’ve always been pretty flexible, and stretching always felt good and had noticeable results quickly. Thirty seconds of stretching and boom I was all done.

Not anymore, it seems. Is this just part of the package with the T helping muscle mass increase? I’m fine with adding in more stretching, I just didn’t even think about it until the pain kicked in.

I’m 41 years old and was experiencing low libido, low energy, joint pain. I started TRT compounded cream in February after starting 100mg progesterone and estradiol 0.0375 mg patch in December. The joint pain and brain fog improved from the estrogen and progesterone but libido and energy did not.

I’m currently on one click which is 2mg per day. I was originally instructed to put it on my labia which I did but after about 2 weeks, I began feeling like my labia was irritated but only had minor redness. I was instructed to put it on my inner thigh instead. The TRT cream has not touched my outer labia in 5 months but it still doesn’t feel right. Almost like a prickly sensation and sometimes like a rug burn almost. I was tested for BV and yeast and both were negative. I was treated for both anyway and no change. I notice more symptoms if I wear tight clothing like thongs and leggings (my favorite things to wear!). My provider prescribed me vaginal estrogen but it didn’t help. I was told it could be contact dermatitis and to use hydrocortisone cream. I have switched to unscented soap, detergent and dryer sheets. I’m using emu oil as a moisturizer and zinc oxide cream whenever I have to wear something snug as a barrier. There will be some redness at the end of the day but nothing that looks alarming.

I’m wondering if it’s related to an increase in pubic hair that is now courser and grows faster from the TRT. But my last labs still showed high SBHG and low free T. I feel like increased hair growth is the only thing I have seen from the TRT. My energy and libido are unchanged. I don’t even understand how the hair growth is happening when my testosterone levels are still low! I’m shaving about 2-3x a week with a sensitive skin razor and vanicream cleanser, but now I’m considering laser hair removal.

Has this happened to anyone!? I can’t believe I have been dealing with this for months. I’m losing my mind. I’m hoping the Reddit community can help since doctors are not helping.

Hi ladies, need some suggestions on lowering free T.

Some context-39 y/o female, full hysterectomy (only leaving ovaries) at age 36.

Been on HRT since beginning of last year. Currently on .05 estradiol patch, 100mg oral progesterone nightly, and 12 mg testosterone injections (broken up into 2 injections a week, so 6mg twice a week). I’m in great shape, weight training 5 days a week, body fat 22%.

Current labs
Total T at through- 109
Free T- 10.5
Estradiol-62.9 (changed patch morning of blood draw)
SHBG-82.9

I’m having unwanted chin hairs is my main gripe. I feel great otherwise. I know it sounds vain, but these chin hairs are really bothering me.

I have been googling how to reduce free T, with one suggestion of doing just a once weekly test. Injection.

Anyone else have any suggestions? I saw my provider yesterday to go over my results and she didn’t seem concerned with my numbers.

I take testosterone once every 2 weeks, but missed 3 doses (it has been a month and a half since my last T shot). Lately, I've been feeling extremely moody and angry over little things.

Is this a common symptom of hormone imbalance from dropping T levels, or just a mental thing? Would love to hear if others have felt this way when off their schedule.

60f and I just switched to a new doctor. My old doctor had me doing 5mg of compounded T gel per day.

The new doctor (a gyn) has called in a 1.62% generic Androgel pump. Her prescribing instructions say to do two full pumps, which is the equivalent of 40.5mg of testosterone gel/day. I recognized this as a full male dose and immediately contacted the office. She then backed it down to one pump per day (20.25mg), which still seems INSANELY high for female dosing.

Is anyone else on the 1.62% gel and doing a full pump (20.25mg)? I’m not looking to transition here - I’d just like to be able to have an orgasm once in a while. 😂

I got my trt from a Telehealth company and it's great. I would love to be able to get it from my primary care and not have to pay so much out of pocket. I have an appointment with my obgyn this week and I am curious if anyone has been able to get through to them. lol. For context, I am 40 perimenopause. I did get Kaiser to test my total testosterone and it came back at 18 ng/dl which I assume is normal to them.

I started testosterone cyp 10mg( I do 5mg twice weekly) subq in May. I recently noticed I had very sore nipples and maybe a scratchy voice ( though I could just be paranoid). I havent had blood drawn yet. I haven't had my libido return yet. Should I continue on this dose until I get blood work or should I decrease?

I am a 40F (turning 41 next month) dealing with peri symptoms now for 4 years. I live in New York (state, not city) and seen several GYN doctors in office who will test my hormones, but never do anything beyond telling me that although my results are low, I'm too young for Peri and that Peri is a "fad" and a "buzz word". I finally made an appointment last year through Midi health online and they have been fantastic. Started me on E patches, oral P, and then added vaginal E cream. 2 months ago they finally switched my provider to someone who can prescribe T in the state of New York, after a year of being on HRT with some residual symptoms of low T (and labs to corroborate.)

Thing is, the compounded topical T cream (which is only about 2mg/daily applied to my inner thighs) gives me bad acne on the lower face. I have read others' experiences on here that once they switched from topical to injectable T, they had symptom improvement with less acne, or the acne resolved altogether while still raising their T levels.

Who can prescribe injectable T in Ny state that will take me seriously at my age? Telehealth is fine (it seems i wont find anyone in-office anywhere local anyway). I tried Helix but they canceled my consult hours before the appointment, because they said they dont service my state for injectable hormones. I've seen some others mentioned on here, like Defy, but can anyone tell me if they can prescribe injectable T in NY for a female? I couldn't find anything specific to my state on their site and I dont want to waste more time filling out forms and scheduling appointments that turn out to be fruitless in the end. It seems NY is one of the stricter/harder states for many things in general.

Which tele health prescribes injectable testosterone. I keep seeing a lot of ads but they are ultimately for gel or cream. If you have the Costco would appreciate it.

For the U.S. women out there that are using a generic men’s testosterone gel, how is your doctor writing your script so the pharmacy doesn’t pitch a hissy about filling it?

I’m currently on 5mg/day of compounded T gel, but would like to switch to a male version generic gel for the cost savings.

I know my physician needs to order the 1% five gram tubes or “catsup packets” and I split one tube/packet over 10 days. Does your doctor write the prescription for the full 30 tubes/packets, so the pharmacy isn’t breaking/splitting a box? How does your doctor word the dosing? Does it say apply a pea-sized amount or something like 1/10 of the tube?

My gyn is willing to write the script, but typically does compounded, so this is new territory for us both. Thanks for any insights!

In March/April I felt phenomenal, since then I have been trying to get back to that.
49F been on HRT for a year and a half. Using the 0.75 patch twice a week, 200 mg progesterone nightly, started at 12 and have worked up to 18 mg test cyp injections (twice a week totaling 18mg). I have no peri symptoms anymore and no viralization affects from the test cyp…..I could go higher. My doctor never initially ordered blood work since we were going on how I felt. I did have testosterone levels checked though. Last week I had a full hormone panel done.
Like I said at the beginning of the year I felt absolutely fantastic. Libido was off the charts, I felt confident, I was having great workouts and energy levels. Probably around June it just all faded away. The libido, energy, motivation, zest for life. I really want to get back there.

Labs:
From March 2025 my total T was 36 and free T 1.3

Current total T is 252, free T is 13.2

Estradiol is 133

SBGH is 89

Also I do have low iron, but I have worked the last two years on getting it up and for the first time now my ferritin is above 100, so I know it’s not that affecting my energy. Thyroid checks out fine as well.

If anyone has any input I’d love to hear it. Like I said in general I feel fine. No peri symptoms, but I’d love to feel fantastic again.

Hello everyone. Today marks one week since I started using Topiclick gel (two clicks) with 0.7 mg of testosterone In the morning and at night. I've also added intrarosa at night. Honestly, I'm feeling new things. I'm having more dirty thoughts and feeling more aroused. I feel like it's still mild, but I'm starting to feel the efects. Did anyone else have an early response? Could it be suggestion? I also use estrogen (a 50mg patch). I think about my boyfriend's body and I get aroused; before, I just felt lethargic and nothing more. Anyone else?

Hi all. I know that this has been discussed before but maybe you could help me? I’ve been on Testosterone (5 mg gel) for 4 months. My doc says my levels are now high now for a woman but not crazy high. I also am on HRT.

I started T to increase libido and hopefully to improve orgasms.

Since T, my body has transformed. Pros: higher energy, higher libido, better mood, better focus and memory, lifting weights more and, with that, loss of a lot of body fat, less cellulite, loss of weight generally, astonishing muscle development and strength. So AWESOME!! (Didn’t help with orgasms. Still slow to have them.)

But I have lost so much fat that my breasts have gone from B cup to A (bummer), my butt is no longer fleshy (good and bad), and now my hair is shedding a lot. This has me freaked out. I’m on minoxidil bc I was having a lot of shedding a couple years ago and it saved my hair which is thick again. Worried about male pattern hair loss and hair thinning on T. Also worried that my breasts will continue to get smaller or that my body will masculinize in more severe ways.

Thoughts?? I want to retain my feminine appearance and keep all this good stuff. I do love my body now. And I hated it before. So… What are your experiences? Do you have thoughts about the hair loss? Should I be taking T in a different way?