Testosterone Gel To Reduce Buffalo Hump by Michael Mooney (March, 2000)

Question: I have talked to my doctor regarding several postings on the PI List concerning testosterone cream or gel to treat my buffalo hump. He is willing to prescribe it but asked me to try to find answers to the following questions:

1. What concentration have people used that was successful in reducing the buffalo hump?

We have heard reports from 5 mg per gram to 90 mg per gram. I'd suggest 50 mg per gram, and suggest a gel rather than a cream. Alcohol-based gels should absorb a little bit better than creams, but they may both also produce about the same effect. Note that all this is anecdotal and not proven to work. So consider this to be an experiment, if you try it.

2. Why the cream rather than a patch?

The patches appear to be too small to do the job. The first person reporting this effect used a patch, and applied it under his shirt collar - so that no one would see it. This area shrank, but the area above the collar didn't because no patch was applied there. He had to then put a patch above his collar, and didn't like it because people could see it. It seems that the only area that shrinks is directly under where the testosterone is applied --- so the testosterone doesn't spread out. With a cream or gel you can apply it anywhere, any way you want, and no one will see it once it disappears into the skin.

3. How often was the cream applied and in what amounts? I realize that "in what amounts" is subjective, but is it slathered on, or is just a little of it rubbed into the skin?

Mostly commonly we have heard that people apply one gram spread around to cover the hump. A measuring spoon usually comes with the gels or creams. If you get the product from Women's International Pharmacy (800-279-5708) ask them to put it in a tube and include a vaginal applicator. Sounds funny for use by men, but the vaginal applicator has markings for exact measurement.

In June UNIMED Pharmaceuticals will be introducing a new premeasured transdermal testosterone gel that comes in packets called AndroGel. It is a very high quality product, and doesn't appear to leave any noticeable residue on the skin. Even the best gels from the compounding pharmacies, like Women's International Pharmacy, seem to leave a little residue that makes you want to wash your hands. Data on Androgel also show that it delivers testosterone through the skin relatively efficiently, as it appears to produce higher testosterone blood levels than the compounded gels. We are eager to hear feedback from people after it is available in the United States, as it looks like it will be the most outstanding testosterone transdermal product on the market.

4. How long before an effect is seen?

Reports say the buffalo hump starts to reduce noticeably within two or three weeks.

5. How long have do people continue to use the cream, and are people using a maintance dose?

People are using a maintainence dose, which can be the same or somewhat less than they started with.

6. Are there any potential side effects?

It is possible to grow more (dark) hair under areas where testosterone cream or gel are applied for some people some of the time. We have seen this appear as more hair on the stomach, and chest, if a gel or cream is applied on the same area of skin repeatedly. This may be one reason it is better to rotate the areas that you apply the gel or cream to.

7. Is there any theory as to why this should/does work to reduce the buffalo hump?

I am about to write up the concept/theory for Tim Horn and Nelson Vergel's potential clinical study. It will probably be a few hundred words, and I hope to have it done soon. (I'm struggling to find enough time right now --- I'm way overworked.) Please check back here for more information.

Michael Mooney