testosterone patches

by Chris Steidle, MD.

Patch technology is an efficient method of increasing testosterone levels. Testosterone patches can be applied to various areas of the skin, release testosterone at a steady, consistent pace and achieve a consistent testosterone level in the blood. Since the testosterone is absorbed easily through the skin, it enters the bloodstream without having to pass through the liver.

Patch technology is an efficient method of increasing testosterone levels and it is an excellent concept. In clinical trials, however, the testosterone levels reached with patches have not been as high as with gels and, as a result, their clinical usefulness is less.

Advantages of testosterone patches:

Does not require injection or surgical procedure
Normalizes serum testosterone levels
Once-a-day dosing mimics natural cycle
Convenient application sites

Disadvantages of testosterone patches:

High rate of skin irritation and discomfort
May be inconvenient to apply
Higher cost for testosterone compared to other forms

Testosterone patch products and websites:

Product	Manufacturer	Dosing	Administration
Androderm®	Watson Pharma Inc.	5 mg per day (2 low dose patches or 1 high dose patch per day)	Applied daily to abdomen, upper arms, thighs or back

References

Brawer, Michael K., MD. Androgen Supplementation and Prostate Cancer Risk: Strategies for Pretherapy Assessment and Monitoring. Rev.Urol. 2003;5 (suppl 1):S29-S33.

Caruthers, Malcolm, MD. The Testosterone Revolution. London: Thorsons; 2001.

Heaton, Jeremy, P.W., MD. Hormone Treatments and Preventive Strategies in the Aging Male: Whom and When to Treat? Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S16-S21.

Matsumoto, Alvin M., MD. Fundamental Aspects of Hypogonadism in the Aging Male. Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S3-S10.

McCulloch, Andrew, MD. Case Scenarios in Androgen Deficiency. Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S41-S48.

Nieschlag, E., Behre, H.M., Nieschlag, S. Testosterone: Action, Deficiency, Substitution. Berlin: 1998.

Steidle, Christopher P., MD. New Advances in the Treatment of Hypogonadism in the Aging Male. Rev.Urol. 2003;5(suppl 1):S34-S40.

Notes
1. Matsumoto, Alvin M. Fundamental Aspects of Hypogonadism in the Aging Male. Urology. Vol. 5, Supplement 1. 2003;S3-10.
2. Morley, JE. J Gend Specif Med. 2001;4:49-53.

Posted February 2004
Updated August 2009

Next article in this series: testosterone gels