Testosterone Pellet Insertion: Care Instructions

Testosterone is a male sex hormone. It plays a major role in male growth and development during puberty. Testosterone replacement therapy can be done for male hypogonadism. This is when the testes don't make enough testosterone. It can also be done for female-to-male gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Testosterone pellet insertion is one way to deliver testosterone into the body. This type of treatment uses tiny pellets of the hormone that are implanted under the skin.

To implant the pellets, a small cut (incision) is made in the skin of the upper hip or buttocks. Special tools are used to place the pellets under the skin. The pellets slowly release the medicine for 3 to 6 months.

Treatment with pellets is less flexible than treatment with injections or gels. If you need to stop treatment before the pellets are done releasing medicine, they may have to be taken out with surgery.

• Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Don't move quickly or lift anything heavy until you're feeling better. You can go back to your normal activities when it feels okay to do so.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to care for the incision. The instructions will depend on the type of materials used to close the incision.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions about the bandage (dressing) over the incision. The dressing helps the incision heal and protects it.
• Avoid taking showers for 24 to 48 hours after surgery, or for as long as your doctor says to. Pat the incision dry. Don't take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it's okay.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• The testosterone pellets are coming out of your incision.
• You have new pain, or your pain gets worse.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
• You have symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the incision.
  • Red streaks leading from the incision.
  • Pus draining from the incision.
  • A fever.