By: William Cuthbert (he/they)
If you’re a trans man, nonbinary, FTM, or otherwise masc-identifying, testosterone gel could be the best choice for taking your gender-affirming testosterone medication. This article is about the pros and cons of T-gel and what it’s like to use this medication. Having more information about this form of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, also called HRT or hormone replacement therapy) may help you feel you’re in control of the pace of your gender transition.
How does testosterone gel work?
Testosterone gel either comes in packets or a bottle with a pump. How many pumps or packets of gel you use determines the strength of your daily dose. You will need to work with your medical provider to determine your baseline for your medication. If you increase your dose, the baseline can be doubled with the second pump, or tripled with a third pump.
The total amount of gel you’re using is then applied to your shoulders and upper arms. Depending on the brand of gel, you might possibly apply it to your stomach. Your skin must then be left to dry for several minutes before you get dressed. This allows the gel to then distribute your dose of testosterone through your skin. (It works similarly to a transdermal patch or cream.)
Because the dosage amount can be altered based on how much gel you use each day, it’s easy to adjust your dose. Always talk to your medical provider if you want to change your level of T intake based on your transition goals. Some people like T-gel because there can also be a flexibility to the amount they use. This allows people to move between smaller or larger doses without needing to alter your prescription. (It can be helpful when you’re microdosing as well.) Just remember to always seek medical guidance before making any changes to your medication routine, since altering your hormone levels won’t accelerate your transition, and may even backfire.
What are the benefits and drawbacks to transitioning with T-gel?
There are some minor inconveniences to weigh up with the freedom to scale your dosage however suits you. It’s important not to let any traces of gel transfer to surfaces or other people, because it may also transmit testosterone to anyone else who touches or brushes against you. To prevent this, the areas you’ve applied the gel to must be covered up at all times, unless you’ve given them a thorough washing.
To make this a little trickier, the gel also needs time to release its dose of T, which means you should wait the amount of time stated in its instructions before bathing. (Basically, get comfortable sitting around shirtless!)
Depending on how you plan your day, working your schedule around gel applications might take some getting used to. But as long as you follow your gel’s guidelines for use—applying it at the same time everyday where possible—you should settle into your new routine before long.
On the plus side, putting aside the time and space for applying a gel is a lot less taxing than setting up for an at-home injection. If you hate needles, have mobility issues, or want to have more control over your medication, T-gel may be a better choice for you. And because it’s a daily prescription, some folks find it easier to plan for and remember than next week’s shot.
It might not be quite as quick as waving a magic wand, but gel brings its own simplicity to fine-tuning how “masc” you’ll look on hormones. I find that it can even be calming to spend a little while with my body applying the gel everyday. The time and care required to sit while the gel absorbs encourages me to be gentle with myself, acting as a reminder to carry that attitude into the rest of my transition.
As the largest provider of gender-affirming care for the trans and nonbinary community, Plume is committed to providing information about many types of information, including questions about hormones like estrogen and testosterone, gender transitioning tips and experiences, and guidance on social transition and self care.
While we strive to include a diverse range of voices and expertise, not everything will be for every person. Each individual’s experience is unique, and the information Plume provides is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always first seek the advice of your primary and/or specialist physician, the Plume Care Team, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, your mental health and emotional needs, or your health care needs regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency, including a mental health crisis, call 911 or reach out to Trans LifeLine.
