How to Apply Testosterone Cream

Co-authored by Scott Tobis, MD and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: November 4, 2025 Fact Checked

Testosterone cream is used to treat adult men with low testosterone levels (a condition called male hypogonadism), as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for transgender men and non-binary people, or women experiencing certain menopause symptoms. Testosterone is a hormone that triggers the growth and development of male sex organs and maintains masculine secondary sex characteristics, such as a deep voice, muscle mass, and a relatively hairy body. Testosterone cream and gel are only available with a doctor’s prescription, and you need to take careful precautions when using them.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Applying Testosterone Cream

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1
Choose your product. Once your doctor has decided to prescribe you topical testosterone, talk to them about what product (and strength) is most appropriate for you. AndroGel, Fortesta, and Vogelxo are common brand names, available in single-use packets, tubes, and multi-dose pumps.
- To prime the applicator before its first use, wash your hands, hold the applicator over a sink, then push the pump until it releases a full dose of gel. If you’re using Vogelxo, slowly push the pump down 3 times.^{[1]
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  Research source} If you’re using Fortesta, gently push down on the pump 8 times.^{[2]
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  - Wash the extra gel down the sink or prime the pump over a waste bin that pets and children can’t access.
- Individual packets (AndroGel, Fortesta, and Vogelxo) are pre-portioned and don’t need any priming—you just tear the packet open.
- If you’re using testosterone for gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), talk to your doctor about what results you want. It can take longer for your secondary sex characteristics to develop with topical testosterone compared to injections.^{[3]
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2
Measure out the correct dose of topical testosterone. Once you’ve primed the applicator, pump the prescribed amount of testosterone gel into the palm of your hand.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If you’re using individual foil packets or the Vogelxo single-use tube, squeeze the entire content of the packet or tube into the palm of your hand.^{[5]
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- AndroGel is available in two dosage strengths: 1% and 1.62% concentrations. Both are applied to the skin, but in different amounts.
  - The recommended starting dose of AndroGel 1% is 50 mg (4 pumps) applied once daily to your skin. AndroGel 1.62% prescriptions start at 20.25 mg (1 pump) daily.^{[6]
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- The strength of the gel and the number of pumps you need are based on your gender, your base testosterone levels, and your individual medical needs. Follow the dosage instructions given by your doctor.^{[7]
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3
Apply the testosterone cream or gel to your body. Unless your doctor recommends a different location, apply testosterone cream “on the upper arms and chest skin, after the skin has been cleaned and thoroughly dried first,” says board-certified urologist Scott Tobis. He also recommends wearing a shirt “after application to avoid accidentally transferring the medication to the skin of another person, especially women and children.”^{[8]
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Scott Tobis, MD
Board Certified Urologist

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- Usually, the stronger concentration of AndroGel (1.62%) is only applied to the shoulders and upper arms.^{[9]
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- Fortesta gel is typically applied to the front or inner part of the thighs.^{[10]
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- Only apply Vogelxo gel to your shoulders or upper arms. Do not apply it to any other parts of your body, such as your penis, scrotum, or stomach area (abdomen).^{[11]
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- Never apply testosterone cream or gel to your penis or scrotum, or to skin that has sores, cuts, or irritation.^{[12]
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4
Wash your hands before and after applying the testosterone. Wash your hands with warm water and soap immediately after applying your cream. Testosterone cream can transfer from your body to others, and it can cause serious side effects in people or animals who don’t need it.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If another person accidentally gets the gel on their skin, have them wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible.
- If you have to have skin contact with someone, like during sex, thoroughly wash the area you applied the gel to beforehand. You should wait six hours between applying testosterone gel and having intimate physical contact.^{[14]
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5
Cover the application area with clothes after it’s completely dry. After washing and drying your hands, let the medication dry for a few minutes before putting on clothes that completely cover the area.^{[15]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine

Go to source} Follow the directions on your specific cream or gel to see how long it needs to dry. If you use Vogelxo gel, for example, you should wait at least 3 minutes for it to absorb into your skin before putting on your clothes.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Depending on the health and hydration of your skin, absorption can take up to 10 minutes.^{[17]
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- Wear breathable cotton garments so your skin can keep absorbing testosterone after your clothes are on.
- Keep dirty clothes, towels, and bed linens away from pets, children, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.^{[18]
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6
Wait at least two hours to bathe after applying the gel. After applying testosterone gel, wait at least two hours to shower, swim, or take a bath.^{[19]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If you’re using AndroGel 1%, wait 5 to 6 hours.^{[20]
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Research source} Getting your skin wet too soon can reduce the absorption of the cream.^{[21]
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PubMed Central
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- Although the testosterone gel may look like it’s completely absorbed after 10 minutes, it can actually take 6 to 10 hours for it to penetrate all the layers of your skin.^{[22]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Taking Precautions with Testosterone Cream

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1
Get your testosterone levels checked at regular intervals. Schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor 14 and 28 days after starting treatment for a blood test. If your testosterone levels are too low, your doctor can make changes to your dosage. You can also expect follow-up visits3 to 6 months later.^{[23]
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- Signs and symptoms that your testosterone levels may be too low include low sex drive, trouble getting an erection, hair loss, lack of energy, loss of muscle mass, increase in body fat, and mood changes (depression).^{[24]
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- It can take three to six months of daily application of testosterone gel to counteract low testosterone (male hypogonadism)—sometimes longer.
- Don’t use topical testosterone if you’re treating the symptoms of a natural decline in testosterone due to aging.^{[25]
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2
Keep the testosterone cream away from other people and animals. When not prescribed, testosterone can cause a hormonal imbalance and negative health effects. If someone is pregnant, it can cause birth defects. It can trigger masculine secondary sex characteristics in women and over-stimulate the sexual development of children.^{[26]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Secondary sex characteristics include a deep voice and increased body hair growth.
- Make sure other people avoid touching anything that comes directly in contact with your skin, like clothes, towels, and sheets.
3
Recognize the negative side effects of using topical testosterone. Applying testosterone cream to your skin for months or years increases the risk of serious side effects, including heart attacks and strokes. You may also experience bloating and swelling, acne, blurred vision, dizziness, flushing, headaches, hair loss, sweating, or urinary tract problems.^{[27]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} Let your doctor know about new side effects immediately.
- If you have prostate problems, make sure to let your doctor know before starting medication. Testosterone cream can cause blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, or frequent urination.
- If you have sleep apnea, testosterone cream could worsen your condition. Speak to your doctor about treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).^{[28]
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- People using testosterone cream are also at risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, due to the increased red blood cell count that results from testosterone therapy. Talk to your doctor if you want to be screened for this, and keep an eye out for leg/calf pain or shortness of breath.^{[29]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Taking testosterone medication typically causes your testicles to decrease, due to atrophy (not working as hard to produce natural testosterone). On the other hand, testosterone gel therapy can enlarge the penis or clitoris.

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Where is the best place for testosterone cream?

Scott Tobis, MD
Board Certified Urologist
Dr. Scott Tobis is a board certified Urologist. With more than seven years of experience, he specializes in treating patients for urologic conditions such as urologic cancers, prostate enlargement, vasectomy, kidney stones, frequent/urgent urination, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and blood in the urine. Dr. Tobis holds a BS in Cellular and Developmental Biology from The University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MD from Dartmouth Medical School. He completed his internship in General Surgery and residency in Urologic Surgery at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and his fellowship in Urologic Oncology and Robotic Surgery at The City of Hope National Medical Center. Dr. Tobis is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology.

Scott Tobis, MD

Board Certified Urologist

Expert Answer

Generally, testosterone cream works best when placed on the upper arms and chest, after the skin has been cleaned and thoroughly dried first. These areas tend to have good absorption of the medication through the skin.

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Tips

Store your testosterone gel in a closed container at room temperature, away from any heat source, moisture, and direct light. Never freeze it.^{[30]
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If your skin starts to get irritated and itchy after applying testosterone gel, talk to your doctor.^{[31]
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Go to source} They may advise you to switch the side you put the gel on, such as putting the testosterone on your right and left shoulders on alternating days.

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If you discovered you had low testosterone when you broke or fractured a bone, get a bone density test every 3 to 5 years.^{[32]
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Warnings

Testosterone gel is flammable until it dries on your skin, so let the medicine dry before smoking or going near an open flame.^{[34]
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