Testosterone and Acne: What Users Say

• dav...
• May 31, 2011

Testosterone for Hypogonadism, Male "This is the most effective delivery system yet. In the past I have used Testim - too smelly and left my upper arms full of acne and Striant - somewhat effective but not as efficient in delivering the medicine into the bloodstream. I feel the difference with only 30 mg a day. I think Lilly has a winner here."

• daw...
• May 24, 2011

Testosterone for Hypogonadism, Male "It is easier to use than the Testim or gel applications. No more sticky skin, no more acne on the application area. Axiron does sting a little, but use deodorant before and follow directions. Not worried about sweating it off at the gym like Testim, and the manufacturer is absorbing the cost for the first year."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2010

For Hypogonadism, Male "I went to my doctor complaining about fatigue. After a few blood tests, we learned that I had low T. So I started off on the gels. 10 g of Testim worked great, but it was causing very high peaks daily that were causing unwanted side effects, specifically breakouts. So I was switched to Androgel, which my body wasn't absorbing at all. After Androgel, my T levels were worse than before. I have been on 200 mg IM of Testosterone Cypionate every 7 days for the past 5 months, and it's been life-changing. Energy levels are back up, and I got my zest for life back."

• Sou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2016

Testosterone for Hypogonadism, Male "I had T levels below 200, and the Doc started me on AndroGel 1.62. I saw minor improvements at 2 and 3 pumps per day, but didn't see normal T numbers until he prescribed a max dose of 4 pumps daily. I had libido and ED issues that have greatly improved. The main side effect I have is that I have some body acne on the shoulders and upper chest, I've also had a little more chest hair. Without insurance and even with insurance, the gel can be too pricey for many."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

For Hypogonadism, Male "I am a 53-year-old male diagnosed with hypogonadism, and I have had 4 injections so far. The first two were 200 mg, but lab tests after two injections still came up low (183), so I am now on 300 mg. I started home injections to avoid a trip to the doctor in between blood work. No problem, but not for the faint of heart. I now have increased energy and am starting to feel more 'normal.' Coupled with hypothyroidism treatment, I have seen a leaner, more muscular stature start to emerge. My doctor also suggested saw palmetto along with the testosterone, and that had minimized the minor side effect of body acne from the higher doses."

• Ara...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 28, 2019

Testosterone for Hypogonadism, Male "If you're looking to raise your T levels, then avoid Aveed at all costs. I was getting injections for 7 months, and Aveed did absolutely nothing to raise my T levels. My back and arms broke out in acne, which never happened before."

• RFM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2019

For Hypogonadism, Male "I was on testosterone shots for 2 years, and I couldn't control the yo-yo effects on my mood, so I switched to gel 1% and did that for another year, and that didn't do anything. Finally, I got some generic 1.62% AndroGel, and that got my levels right up there. Overall, I don't think it does a whole lot, maybe I was so bad off I don't know. I'm thinking about quitting next week and going on Clomid for a while to ease off of symptoms. I don't care for the acne, and I have some hair loss, which I am trying to control with alternative methods. Just some things: the shots were great, but they don't last, and a gel is way more convenient and generic."

• Jac...
• March 22, 2021

Testosterone "2-3 months after surgical menopause, I was having issues with crying over nothing many times a day, concentration was gone, easily frustrated, and I was having worse insomnia. I've had many bad experiences with estrogens, so we tried a low dose of testosterone. In 10 days, the insomnia is still there, and now I have some restless leg with insomnia, but the brain fog is gone, I can concentrate, and I no longer feel like I am on the edge of losing my cool constantly. Dosage: 1 pump. Warnings: Unknown how this will affect me long term. Could result in hair loss, hairline reduction, acne, extra body hair, especially on the face, nipples, or butt, voice deepening, or some number of potential health issues later in life. I've chosen to take these risks to feel more like me (and estrogens have risks too). Back story: 36-year-old female with a history of extremely painful periods, with no known cause. I have had no children. I chose to get a full hysterectomy, and after years, my doctors agreed."

• Pok...
• May 10, 2020

Testosterone "Gender dysphoria (transgender FTM). Compared to the other brand of testosterone I have been on (Testogel), this Testim brand testosterone is awful. As someone with gender dysphoria who takes testosterone to get masculine traits, it's extremely frustrating to use Testim, because it STINKS like the perfume an elderly lady would wear. It reminds me of the stench of my 90-year-old neighbor, and the smell doesn't fade - it lasts all day and makes me feel sick. The other negative thing is that as soon as you put it on your skin and rub it in, it comes off in sticky clumps, like when you have glue on your hands and you rub them together and get sticky bits of glue falling off, so it's questionable just how much of the gel I am absorbing. Plus, it stays oily and sticky on your skin for hours and is not good for your t-shirt at all. It makes my skin feel terrible when I sweat and gives me bad acne. I wish I could go back to my Testogel brand of testosterone, but for whatever reason, my prescription is now for this instead... :-("

• Mic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 20, 2024

Testosterone "I have been receiving these Testopel injections for years now, with no issues. The side effect is acne on my back. Now Humana Tricare has decided they will no longer pay for this medication."