Tostran or Compounded Testosterone? Let’s Explore the Options

If you’re exploring testosterone treatment for women because your sex drive has dipped, your energy feels low or brain fog is becoming all too familiar, you might be wondering which treatment is right for you. From Tostran testosterone gel to compounded testosterone cream, understanding the differences in formulation, dosage and personalisation can feel overwhelming. Let's take the confusion out of the picture. 

So, what's the difference between Tostran and compounded testosterone?

Tostran is a licensed 2% testosterone gel containing body-identical testosterone. Although developed and licensed for men, it can be prescribed off-label to women, particularly those experiencing low sexual desire associated with menopause.

The main difference between Tostran and compounded testosterone cream is the level of flexibility when tailoring your treatment. Tostran comes in a standardised 2% strength, whereas compounded testosterone can be prepared at a specific strength to reflect your individual prescription.

At Hormones & You, we take a personalised approach to testosterone treatment. Your symptoms, hormone levels, medical history and treatment goals all help inform your prescribed formulation and dosage, with ongoing medical reviews to ensure your treatment continues to meet your needs.

So, which option might be right for you? Let's explore the differences in more detail.

What is Tostran gel?

Tostran 2% is a pharmaceutical-grade testosterone gel that is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. It comes in a metered pump pack, with each pump delivering 10mg of testosterone.

Testosterone treatments such as Tostran 2% and Testogel were originally developed and licensed for men but can be prescribed off-label to women. AndroFeme 1% is specifically formulated and licensed for women in Australia, although it is not licensed for use in women in the UK.

Tostran, Testogel and AndroFeme contain body-identical testosterone, meaning their active ingredient is chemically identical to the testosterone naturally produced by the body.

Where the treatments differ is in how the dosage can be tailored. Standardised gels come in fixed concentrations, meaning clinicians must work within the available formulation when prescribing an appropriate dose. Compounded testosterone creams, on the other hand, can be prepared at a prescribed strength, offering greater flexibility when tailoring treatment to individual requirements.

At Hormones & You, we take your symptoms, hormone levels and medical history into account to help determine a formulation and dosage suited to your individual needs.

How Compounded Testosterone differs

We use bioidentical compounded testosterone, carefully prepared by specialist compounding pharmacies to match the testosterone naturally produced by your adrenal glands and ovaries. 

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we consider your medical history, symptoms and health goals through our doctor-developed online questionnaire to create a personalised compounded formulation tailored to your individual needs from the very start. 

If you’re curious about our approach, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions here, alongside some helpful additional information.

Our easy-to-use pump delivers your prescribed daily dose of testosterone, without the measuring or the faff. Your treatment isn’t the only personal touch, your prescription is regularly reviewed by our medical team, so your dose can be adjusted as your needs change and will be delivered every 3 months, straight to your door. 

Take a behind-the-scenes look at how we formulate your treatment.

How do I know which treatment is right for me?

Ultimately, your choice of testosterone cream depends on the level of personalisation you are looking for. Tostran 2% offers a standardised, prescription-strength testosterone gel that may suit some women. However, for those seeking a more personalised approach, our bioidentical compounded testosterone cream offers the flexibility of a formulation tailored to your individual needs, guided by our medical team, with adjustments as your hormone requirements change. 

How do I start?

Don't settle for feeling anything less than your best. Take the first step towards hormone balance by completing our online medical questionnaire to discover whether testosterone treatment could be right for you.

Our medical team will review your answers and, if appropriate, prescribe a personalised testosterone cream tailored to your needs, delivered straight to your door in a convenient three-month supply.