T Creams vs. injections and Prostate

[stcrim]

This may be N=1 but I'll ask the question as though other people have the issue too. Why do compounded bio-identical testosterone creams cause more prostate or prostate like symptoms than T injections?

I am really fond of the idea of creams since they don't raise the red blood cell count to the extent injections to. I am a DVT/PE survivor and prefer to keep to that way. Even though when injecting I do so two to three times per week, creams are less of a rollercoaster.

Has anyone else used creams and had issues with frequent nighttime urination and/or difficulty starting?

 

[Jasen Bruce]

Topical testosterone can have a more of a tendency to convert to higher amounts of DHT than the injectable forms. Both injectable and topical testosterones use the same raw material to compound/manufacture, so both are technically bio-identical in its raw form.

When DHT becomes too elevated it can inflame the prostate in some men who are especially sensitive to this effect. You can talk to you doctor about follow up testing to check DHT and SHBG levels, in addition to T and E. Dosage may be too high and/or you may be a high absorber of topical hormones.

 

[stcrim]

Jason, thank you for your response! It usually only takes a day or two for symptoms to show up on creams. I stopped injections and started using the cream in a different location (rectally) about 10 days ago and at this point am having no issues. The absorption must be excellent there because I have had to reduce my dose (long story). From reading what I can about it, this may be the way to go with creams...