Reviewer: Jan, 45-54 Male on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
Testim does what it is supposed to do. Pity that it smells like a prostitutes laundry.

Comment:
Testim does what it is supposed to do. Pity that it smells like a prostitutes laundry.
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Reviewer: RBD411, 45-54 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
Was prescribed this due to Low T. Total score of 240 and Free score of 6.3. Fatigue, concentration and memory were major issues. Urologist put me on Testim 1% which was 1 tube per day. It's been 3 weeks now and I have no improvements that I can feel or notice yet. To me the smell is no problem. When you first apply it on shoulders and upper arms, the alcohol smell being close to your f ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Was prescribed this due to Low T. Total score of 240 and Free score of 6.3. Fatigue, concentration and memory were major issues. Urologist put me on Testim 1% which was 1 tube per day. It's been 3 weeks now and I have no improvements that I can feel or notice yet. To me the smell is no problem. When you first apply it on shoulders and upper arms, the alcohol smell being close to your face can be a fit overwhelming causing me to cough a bit but after that it's no problem. Testim definitely has a unique scent but I would not describe it as bad as so many others have claimed. It's very easy to apply but it does make your hands very sticky almost like glue but I try to wash my hands as soon as possible after applying it. At first, when applying it, I had issues with my shirt sticking to my shoulders and arms if I didn't wait for it to thoroughly dry but then I started using a small amount of baby powder before putting on my shirt and that solved the problem. My follow up visit is in a couple days so it will be interesting what my doc says, what my T-scores are now and what he prescribes me next. From what I've read, the gels deliver a more consistent dosage in your body but you do have to stay consistent in terms of applying it at the same time every day. This can be an inconvenience if you do not have a consistent schedule. Also, I am very careful around my wife and son as I read, it's not good form them to get Testim directly on their skin. Typically this is not an issue after it dries but if you sweat or get the shoulders wet, then you can feel the slickness of the gel and probably need to be careful. I now use separate towels for showering, use a separate laundry hamper and wash my clothes separate from my wife/son just to be on the safe side. Not sure if I can go in a pool or hot tub with this on as my son enjoys both with me. Need to ask if the Testim can spread to others through water. Hope this review helps - will update again next month.
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Reviewer: 35-44 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
This smells so bad, is sticky for so long, requires such a large quantity and gets stick again if you sweat and the smell doesn't go away when you shower. It's pretty miserable to use daily

Comment:
This smells so bad, is sticky for so long, requires such a large quantity and gets stick again if you sweat and the smell doesn't go away when you shower. It's pretty miserable to use daily
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Reviewer: Olfactor, 65-74 Male on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Patient)

Comment:
Post Script to earlier review from Olfactor: In the hope that Auxilium Pharmaceuticals' intimation that I was experiencing a "batch aberration," since writing my earlier review, I have tried two more courses. My 13-year-old now says I smell like nail polish remover, which I suppose is a step up from the earlier formaldehyde, but still not the original alluring musky scent that set ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Post Script to earlier review from Olfactor: In the hope that Auxilium Pharmaceuticals' intimation that I was experiencing a "batch aberration," since writing my earlier review, I have tried two more courses. My 13-year-old now says I smell like nail polish remover, which I suppose is a step up from the earlier formaldehyde, but still not the original alluring musky scent that set Testim apart from the generic equivalents, which are just as effective at curing low T. Sadly, I have concluded that the thrill of the original formulation is forever gone, possibly a cost-cutting casualty of Auxilium's recent acquisition by Endo International plc. From lusty musk to formaldehyde to nail polish remover...what a sad decent.
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Reviewer: Olfactor, 65-74 Male on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Patient)

Comment:
A true story: Several years ago my annual physical showed a drop in T count that led my doctor to prescribe a topical gel. First I tried a generic but it smelled like methanol, leading friends and family to wonder if I had been in high school chemistry class. My doc next prescribed Testim, which had a marvelous olfactory effect opposite to the generic brand. In fact I had to fight off women who ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
A true story: Several years ago my annual physical showed a drop in T count that led my doctor to prescribe a topical gel. First I tried a generic but it smelled like methanol, leading friends and family to wonder if I had been in high school chemistry class. My doc next prescribed Testim, which had a marvelous olfactory effect opposite to the generic brand. In fact I had to fight off women who were strangers as well as some who weren't. Even men commented on my pleasant fragrance--not a plus in my case. So for several years, I was a happy user of Testim. Then I received a shipment this past September, and the wonderful scent was gone. In its place? Formaldehyde--back to high school chemistry class odor. I called Auxilium customer service but did not receive the promised return call and explanation. Some weeks following my second phone call, I received a lawyerly letter the substance of which reads "Upon receipt of the complaint, the Corporate Compliance Department conducted an investigation and it has been recorded and placed on file." This left me feeling like a character in a Woody Allen movie. I investigated further and learned that Auxilium had been acquired. This seemed to parallel the change in formulation that replaced the popular musky aroma with the methanol stench of the current product. Maybe the changed formulation was a cost-saving measure. Whatever the case, I no longer see a reason to pay the higher copay for Testim and will search for a pleasanter smelling alternative that will not repel family and friends.
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