This website has been developed by Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd.

This website has separate sections for healthcare professionals (containing promotional information), and patients who have been prescribed Testogel® (testosterone) within the UK.

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This website is provided for patients prescribed Testogel® in the UK by Besins Healthcare (UK) Ltd.

Relationships and sex

Impact on relationships

Testosterone deficiency (TD) and its treatment can affect the relationships you have with friends and family, but with a little bit of planning you can help minimise those effects.

Take your time and be patient with yourself

Spending time with your friends and family, especially if you have young children, can be exhausting. It may help to try and plan relaxed ways to spend time with each other, such as reading or drawing, instead of physical activities.

Plan your treatment around family time

After applying Testogel®, you should wash or cover the application site before physical contact with anyone. You should also wait at least two hours after application before washing the application site.1

Let your family support you

If your family know about your TD, it will help them to understand why you are too tired to go out with them or if you are sometimes irritable. Your family will want to support you through your treatment.

You and your partner

You and your partner

Open communication with your partner can go a long way to strengthening your relationship and could help to avoid potential problems.

Reassure your partner

Reminding them that you still love and are attracted to them helps to reassure them that the added pressure on your relationship isn’t their fault.2

Share your concerns

Make time to talk frankly with each other about your relationship and where you think there may be problems that need addressing.3

Find solutions together

Services such as couples’ therapy or sex therapy are available and can be beneficial to tackle the problems in your relationship head on. Use the COSRT website to find a registered therapist near you.

Talking about TD

Impact on sex

A number of the symptoms associated with TD can lead to problems in the bedroom, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the frustration this causes.

Don’t blame yourself

Putting too much pressure on yourself can add to your stress levels and end up making things a lot more difficult than they already are.2

Maintain intimacy

Physical touch of any kind is an important factor in helping couples to feel close. This could be a hug, kiss or even just holding hands.4

Create prompts

For example, you could always make a point of giving your partner a kiss when you say goodbye before leaving for work in the morning. This is a great way to try and maintain intimacy without ‘forgetting about it’.4

Track your progress using the T Track app

Manage your testosterone deficiency, track your symptoms and find out important information about Testogel® all in the app.

Download the app on iOS or Android.

Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
T Track app download QR code
Download the T Track App

Find out about the T Track app

T-track app

References

  1. Testogel® 16.2 mg/g gel – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8919/pil. Accessed July 2022.
  2. Wyatt Myers, Dr. Lindsey Marcellin. Everyday Health. When Your Partner Has Low Testosterone. Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/low-testosterone-guide/when-your-partner-has-low-testosterone/. Accessed April 2021.
  3. Sheri Stritof, Dr. Carly Snyder. Very Well Mind. How to Have Difficult Marriage Conversations. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-when-you-have-to-talk-2302246. Accessed April 2021.
  4. Dr. Anne Katz. KevinMD. The loss of testosterone and how that affects the partner. Available at: https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2017/10/loss-testosterone-affects-partner.html. Accessed April 2021.

BHUK/2022/182. December 2022.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

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