As a creature who is trans, I do HRT to my body, as it's one of the only ways to do any body hacking around here. I've been taking testosterone for several years, and most of that time I was taking it as an intramuscular injection.
Recently, I discovered you can take this in other forms. When I started, the only real viable option was injection. But now, there's patches, gels, implants, and apparently oral testosterone in Canada?? It isn't obtainable in the US yet, though.
I switched to gel several months ago, and have been able to use a few brands so far. There is a real difference between them. I much prefer gel to injections, but I'd totally understand if someone absolutely hated it if they were unlucky with the brand their pharmacy provided.
Gel vs Injections
When switching from injection to gel, the biggest difference will be the frequency. You have to apply gel once a day, while injections are usually twice a month. If this is good or bad depends on what kind of habits you're better at. I was really bad with doing injections on time, since it was so infrequent, but nightly gels is much easier for me.
I had someone else give me my injection, so it was also an improvement to be able to use the gel myself without having to rely on someone.
It's also just nicer to put gel on yourself than to give yourself an injection with a massive fucking needle.
What Does It Smell Like OwO
In this part I'll talk about things that all the gels I've tried have in common. I'll go into differences later.
The gel is a clear liquid that smells like isopropyl alcohol and is rubbed onto your shoulders or belly. Each dose is 5 grams, which is a decent palm-full of liquid. I have to take 2 doses at a time though because my hormones are too strong.
It's pretty watery, I was expecting it to be more like hair gel, but it's viscosity is more like shampoo. When you start rubbing it in, it gets more watery and can drip. It starts to dry when you rub it in, like hand sanitizer. You have to wash your hands after doing it unlike sanitizer.
When you use it, it's important that you don't have a lot of close contact with kids or women too soon after applying it, as it can rub off on them even if it seems dry.
There are 3 brands I've tried so far, and there is a HUGE difference in quality with one of them.
Androgel
This is the first one I was prescribed and is the name brand. It comes in single-use packets (like ketchup packets) or a pump, but I don't think endos want to prescribe the pump since it's hard to measure out doses.
The gel itself is like I described above. A little watery when applying, but dries completely and is unnoticeable after a few minute.
The only thing that pisses me off is the packaging. The packets are too hard to open. If you have hand issues you will need to use scissors to open them. They have a perferation you're supposed to tear but the plastic is way too strong or something.
Actavis
This is a generic brand. I think Actavis is the name of the producer. I currently get this in single-use packets.
The gel is the same quality as Androgel. It's really just as good. Goes on watery and dries great. It wins over Androgel though because the packets are MUCH easier to open. The packet itself is flatter and wider and you can get a better grip on it. 10/10
Upsher-Smith
Another generic brand. Absolutely terrible horse piss. IF YOU ARE ON THIS, ASK FOR SOMETHING ELSE OR FIND A DIFFERENT PHARMACY! I got put on this because walgreens wanted to fuck around with me personally I guess. This stuff is fucking AWFUL. If someone was put on this as their first gel, I would not blame them for a second if it tainted their opinion of gels forever.
The packet is fine and easy to open. That's it for the positives.
The gel does not dry. You put this sludge on and your belly is going to be sticky until your shirt lint, dirt or whatever else sticks on to capacity. Every time I took off my shirt, I had a visible teletubby TV shaped dusty mess.
I did get used to it, I would still rather use this slop than go back in injections. But maybe it was the hope that Androgel would come back that kept me going.
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That's about it. My main reason for writing this is to warn people about Upsher. TL;DR testosterone gel doesn't have to be sticky garbage there's a better world out there
