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
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