At TestoCreams.com we get asked a lot of questions by men seeking medical advice on hormone deficiency and in particular testosterone replacement therapy. Below are some of the most popular testosterone questions that we have been asked: We hope you find these questions and answers helpful!
Q. How do I know if I need testosterone?
A. You may have noticed changes in your daily behavior, energy levels, mood stability and personal thoughts.  Also affected by testosterone deficiency is your muscle strength and body shape so watch out for unexplained changes. The most noticeable symptom is lack of sexual arousal and/or ability to perform. Taking the self-assessment questionnaire will also help establish the possible need for testosterone therapy. After completing a self assessment test you should visit your doctor to confirm diagnoses by way of blood testing.
Q. How long after starting testosterone cream will I notice an improvement?
A. Once commencing testosterone cream, testosterone levels rise within an hour. It usually takes two to four weeks for the full benefits of treatment to become apparent.
Q. How often do I use testosterone cream?
A. Testosterone cream for men is applied once daily (usually in the morning) directly to the scrotum.
Q. Where do I apply the Lawley testosterone cream?
A. The Lawley testosterone cream is applied to the scrotum. The cream is massaged into the scrotal skin and usually is fully absorbed within 30 seconds of application. There are no benefits of applying the cream to the penis. Often there is a ‘warm’ feeling after applying the cream this is due to dilation of the blood vessels in the scrotal skin. This effect can last for a few minutes but it is not unpleasant or painful.
Q. What safety checks do I need before starting testosterone cream?
A. Your doctor needs to undertake a physical examination of your prostate gland and conduct a blood test to measure the PSA (prostate specific antigen). Some symptoms of low testosterone can be caused by prostate cancer so it’s important to rule this out before any other testing is done. If any irregularities are found or you do have prostate cancer then testosterone therapy should not be used.  If you have other medical conditions, like chronic liver or kidney disease, you can still use testosterone but it should only be used under strict medical supervision.
Q. For how long do I use testosterone cream?
A. There is no time limitation to using testosterone cream but you should undergo regular check ups every 6 months. This includes PSA and prostate gland examinations. A full health check including haematocrit (percentage of red blood cells) and liver function tests should be done by your doctor every 12 months.
Q. If I stop using using AndroForte, how quickly will the testosterone from it be out of my system?
A. Within 72 hours your your blood testosterone levels should decline back to baseline levels and pre-treatment symptoms will usually return alongside this decline.
Q. Does scrotal application of testosterone result in conversion of the testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and/or oestradiol (E2)?
A. Testosterone conversion to oestrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is, in clinical terms, not a major problem provided no more than the recommended dose of testosterone cream is used. In scrotal skin there is an enzyme called 5-alpha- reductase which may convert testosterone into the more potent androgen DHT. It’s generally very small conversion. Low DHT levels are also found in men with low testosterone levels. When scrotal testosterone cream is applied, the DHT blood level usually increases into the mid- range of normal. Aromatase is an enzyme that can convert testosterone into oestradiol (E2). If the recommended dose of testosterone cream is used, conversion to E2 is usually not a problem. There is no evidence of gynaecomastia (male breast growth) due to E2 conversion in men using testosterone cream. There is a large amount of misinformation on the Internet about testosterone conversion and most is unfounded – the science does not support the theory. The science does show there is a small, but insignificant rise in both oestrogen and DHT levels with initial use of scrotal testosterone.
In the vast majority of patients this rise is within the normal range for men. If you find the dose is too much then it can be reduced accordingly without the need for aromatase inhibitors or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Any amendments to treatment should be discussed with your doctor before commencing. Your E2 and DHT levels should be checked together with haematocrit, PSA and a prostate gland examination by your doctor, every six to 12 months when regular testosterone blood levels are being monitored.
Q. Does using testosterone result in shrinkage of testes?
A. The short answer is ‘no’. Testosterone cream will not cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage) if used in the correct doses. Part of the “historical myth†of testosterone being dangerous is due to it being lumped in with the ‘anabolic steroids story’ associated abuse by athletes and bodybuilders. Often, people think that testosterone therapy causes he testes to shrink (this is known as atrophy), like reported by some bodybuilders and athletes. This does not happen when used for medical reasons and therapeutic doses. adverse side effects can happen however,  if large doses were used continually over many weeks.
Q. What happens to my testosterone blood levels if and when I stop using testosterone?
A. When using testosterone cream, your testosterone levels will rise above your low baseline level to a new higher level. This new higher level remains constant while you are dosing daily. If you stop using the testosterone cream your testosterone blood levels will return to their baseline level within a week. Symptoms will most probably return.
Q. Why is the testosterone cream applied scrotally and the gels applied to the upper body?
A. Scrotal skin is up to five times more receptive to the absorption of testosterone than when applied to skin areas such as the back, body and arms. The Lawley testosterone cream for men is unique because it is easily applied to the scrotum without complications. Other transdermal testosterone preparations on the market cannot be applied to the genitals due to skin irritation. The Lawley 5% testosterone cream is five times stronger compared to the 1% testosterone gels commercially available. Therefore, being more concentrated the 5% Lawley testosterone cream allows for a smaller unit dose to be applied over the small surface area of the scrotum.
Q. How long will a tube of the Lawley testosterone cream last?
A. A single 50ml (approx 2oz) tube of the Lawley testosterone cream for men will provide between 50 to 100 days treatment depending upon the dose used.
Further Reading:
Testosterone Deficiency – Causes and Diagnosis
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Potential Risks of Testosterone Treatment
Testosterone Online Self-Assessment Questionnaire
The information in this article has been taken with permission from the official Lawley booklet on Understanding Testosterone in Men