Why use a cream/gel, as opposed to an injection, subcutaneous pellets, or a patch?
A. Self-administration of Testosterone or Estrogen via an adhesive patch is safe and effective, but can be awkward (particularly in social situations) for hormone replacement. Testosterone pellets (Testopel®) are used for long term Testosterone replacement in men, and can be inserted during a clinic visit, beneath the skin of the abdomen, to deliver Testosterone incrementally over a 3 month period. Administration of hormone therapy in a cream or gel form is more convenient to use and is invisible and discrete. The first Testosterone gel, AndroGel 1% was approved in August 2000. All of these are prescription items and need to be applied once daily.
