I want to start taking testosterone, but I'm scared of needles and can't take pills. I've heard about T patches, though. Do you know if they actually work, or should I just suck it up and do injections?
Zak: I don't know anything about T patches, though I'd guess that they probably work alright (this is the only person I could find on YouTube tracking their use of the patch, though they later switched to injections, hopefully you find that helpful). The most common alternative to injections in the US is Androgel, which is what I use. I'm also terrified of needles, so that's why I went with the gel. It definitely works, at least in my experience. My transition has been pretty comparable to that of someone on injections (if you want to see the trajectory of my transition this is a link to my YouTube channel). I've known a few other people on Androgel who felt that the changes weren't fast enough and switched to injections, though I've also known people who have switched from injections to the gel (Chase did this, I believe). So yeah, there are definitely good alternatives to injections. There are pros and cons to all of the testosterone delivery methods, in my opinion. Some people might find it frustrating to have to apply the gel everyday, and of course there's the concern that you might accidentally transfer the gel to other people around you (I haven't had a problem with this, but some people do and that doesn't mean I don't worry about it or won't have a problem with it in the future). The gel is also significantly more expensive than injections, though if your insurance will cover your testosterone (like mine does) that might not be as big of an issue. With the patches, I've heard that for some people it might irritate the skin. The biggest con for injections for most people is the whole needle aspect. A lot of what you choose depends on your finances and personal preference. I wouldn't advise anyone to just suck it up and do injections, if injections are something they are really opposed to, without first investigating their options. Check to see if your insurance will cover your testosterone, since injections are certainly the cheapest method and probably the only real affordable method without insurance coverage. Also discuss alternative forms of testosterone delivery with your doctor and go over the pros and cons with them. Your doctor also might be able to provide you more information about the patch. Also, maybe one of our followers will have experience with the patch that they are willing to share.