Testosterone Gel Australia: Testogel & AndroForte Guide

If you have been diagnosed with testosterone deficiency and are weighing up your treatment options, topical gels are one of the main alternatives to injections in Australia. Applied to the skin once a day, products such as Testogel and AndroForte deliver testosterone steadily and without needles — but they carry one important responsibility: preventing accidental transfer to the people around you. Here is how testosterone gel works in Australia, how to use it safely, and how it stacks up against injectable testosterone.

What are testosterone gels?

Testosterone gel is a transdermal — through-the-skin — form of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). You apply a measured amount of gel or cream to clean, dry skin once daily, and part of the testosterone is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream over the hours that follow.

Two topical products are commonly prescribed in Australia:

• Testogel — a 1% testosterone gel supplied in single-dose sachets and a metered-dose pump, usually applied to the shoulders, upper arms or abdomen.
• AndroForte — an Australian-made testosterone cream, available in more than one strength, developed specifically for transdermal use.

Like all forms of TRT, these are Schedule 4 (prescription-only) medicines. They are prescribed only where blood tests confirm genuine testosterone deficiency and a doctor judges treatment to be clinically appropriate, in line with the Endocrine Society of Australia position statement on the assessment and indications for testosterone therapy.

How to apply testosterone gel

Gels are simple to use, but a consistent daily routine matters for stable levels. The general principles are:

• Once daily, usually in the morning — applied at about the same time each day to clean, dry, intact skin.
• Approved sites only — commonly the shoulders, upper arms or abdomen for Testogel; always follow the instructions for your specific product, because the recommended area differs between gels and creams.
• Let it dry, then cover — allow the gel to dry fully before dressing, and keep the area covered with clothing.
• Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after applying.
• Mind the timing around water — avoid washing the site or swimming for the period stated in the product information, as this can reduce how much testosterone you absorb.

Never apply gel to broken or irritated skin, and do not apply it to the genitals unless your particular product specifically directs it.

Steadier levels: how gels compare with injections

One of the main appeals of a gel is the way it delivers testosterone. Daily transdermal absorption tends to produce relatively steady serum testosterone within the normal male range, avoiding the higher peaks and lower troughs that can occur between injections. Some men find this smoother profile helps with the day-to-day consistency of energy and mood, though responses vary from person to person.

Gels are also easy to adjust and quick to clear. Because the testosterone is absorbed and cleared each day, levels fall within roughly a day of stopping — which can help if a side effect develops or the dose needs changing. Injectable options such as Reandron (testosterone undecanoate) and testosterone enanthate are longer-acting and cannot be reversed once given. If you are weighing up the two broad approaches, our guide to TRT injections versus gels compares them in more detail, and you can read separately about the injectable options and how they are used. Both approaches are covered in the Endocrine Society of Australia's treatment and therapeutic considerations guidance.

Transference: the risk you must manage

The single most important safety point with any testosterone gel is transference — testosterone left on your skin can rub off onto someone else through skin-to-skin contact. If that person is a woman or a child, even small amounts of testosterone can cause unwanted effects such as acne or, with repeated exposure, unexpected body or facial hair. Pregnant women and young children should be kept away from the application site altogether.

The reassuring part is that transference is almost entirely preventable with a few simple habits:

• Apply the gel to skin that clothing will cover, and keep the area covered once it is dry.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water straight after applying.
• Wash the application site with soap and water before any close skin-to-skin contact — for example before physical contact with a partner, or before holding young children.
• Do not let other people handle your gel, sachets or pump.
• If someone does touch the application site, they should wash the area with soap and water promptly.

If anyone in your household develops new acne, skin changes or unexpected hair growth, tell your doctor and mention the gel. Counselling patients on how to prevent transference is a recognised part of safe transdermal prescribing in the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline.

Pros and cons of testosterone gel

Potential advantages

• No needles, which suits men who dislike injections.
• Steady daily levels without large peaks and troughs.
• Easy to pause or adjust, with levels falling within about a day.
• Self-administered at home as part of a morning routine.

Potential drawbacks

• Must be applied every single day; missed doses let levels drop.
• A transference risk to women and children that has to be actively managed.
• Skin irritation at the application site in some men.
• Absorption varies between individuals, so some men do not reach target levels on a gel.
• Practical restrictions around showering, swimming and skin contact after applying.

One point applies to every form of TRT, gel or injection: it is not fertility-sparing. Transdermal testosterone still suppresses the body's own testosterone and sperm production, so it is generally avoided in men who are trying to conceive. If fertility matters to you, read our article on TRT and fertility and raise it before starting treatment.

Testing, PBS access and monitoring

Before any gel is prescribed, you need a proper diagnosis. Australian and international guidelines recommend confirming testosterone deficiency with symptoms plus low testosterone on at least two separate morning blood tests, while first looking for reversible causes such as obesity, poor sleep or other illness. This assessment step is set out in the Endocrine Society of Australia's assessment guidance.

On the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), testosterone is subsidised only when specific criteria for androgen deficiency are met — generally including biochemical confirmation of low testosterone and, in many cases, specialist involvement. Where those criteria are not met, testosterone can sometimes still be prescribed privately, at full cost, when a doctor considers it clinically appropriate.

Once you start, monitoring continues. Your GP will usually recheck your testosterone to confirm you are in the target range, along with haematocrit (testosterone can thicken the blood), PSA and prostate health, and oestradiol, plus a review of your symptoms and how well you are tolerating treatment — consistent with the monitoring recommended in the Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline.

The bottom line

Testosterone gels such as Testogel and AndroForte are a well-established, needle-free option for men with genuine, confirmed testosterone deficiency. They provide steady daily levels and are easy to adjust, but they ask for a consistent routine and real care around transference so that women and children are never exposed. Whether a gel or an injection suits you better comes down to your lifestyle, your skin, your fertility plans and your preferences — a decision best made with an AHPRA-registered GP who can confirm the diagnosis and tailor treatment to you.

References

1. Yeap BB, et al. Endocrine Society of Australia position statement on male hypogonadism (part 1): assessment and indications for testosterone therapy. Med J Aust. 2016;205(4):173-178. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2016/205/4/endocrine-society-australia-position-statement-male-hypogonadism-part-1
2. Yeap BB, et al. Endocrine Society of Australia position statement on male hypogonadism (part 2): treatment and therapeutic considerations. Med J Aust. 2016;205(5):228-231. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27581270/
3. Bhasin S, et al. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1715-1744. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29562364/

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Testosterone is a prescription-only (S4) medicine in Australia and is prescribed only where clinically appropriate. Speak with an AHPRA-registered GP about your individual situation.