Last update May 26, 2022

Testosterone

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

The natural hormone testosterone and its derivatives have anabolic and androgenic properties. It is used to treat male hypogonadism, breast carcinoma in women, vasomotor symptoms of menopause, and as gender-affirmingr therapy in transgender men. Administration as a subcutaneous implant, or transdermal, intranasal, intraoral, intravaginal or intramuscular.

It is excreted in human milk (transgender mothers or fathers) in clinically insignificant amounts (Oberhelman 2022, Glaser 2009) and no problems have been observed in their breastfed infants. (Oberhelman 2022, Glaser 2009)

Plasma levels in these infants were undetectable or very low. (Oberhelman 2022, MacDonald 2016, Glaser 2009)

Its almost nil oral bioavailability hinders the transfer to infant plasma from ingested  human milk, except in premature infants and the immediate neonatal period when there may be increased intestinal permeability.

estosterone hormone reduces prolactin serum levels and may likely inhibit milk production mainly soon after delivery (delayed lactogenesis II). (Hoover 2002, Weinstein 1976). If the plasma level of testosterone falls below 300 ng/dL, there may be normal milk production. (Hoover 2002). Outside the neonatal period, two transgender men noted no decrease in milk production during testosterone treatment. (Oberhelman 2022, MacDonald 2016)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Testosterone since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Testosterone is also known as


Testosterone in other languages or writings:

Group

Testosterone belongs to this group or family:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. ≈ 0 ; < 10 %
Molecular weight 288 daltons
Protein Binding 98 %
VD 1.14 l/Kg
pKa 18.52 -
Tmax intranas: 0.7; derm: 6 - 24 hours
T½ 0.2 - 1.5 hours
M/P ratio < 1 -
Theoretical Dose 0.000015 - 0.000053 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.033 %

References

  1. Oberhelman-Eaton S, Chang A, Gonzalez C, Braith A, Singh RJ, Lteif A. Initiation of Gender-Affirming Testosterone Therapy in a Lactating Transgender Man. J Hum Lact. 2022 May;38(2):339-343. Consulted on May 26, 2022 Abstract
  2. MacDonald T, Noel-Weiss J, West D, Walks M, Biener M, Kibbe A, Myler E. Transmasculine individuals' experiences with lactation, chestfeeding, and gender identity: a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016 May 16;16:106. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Glaser RL, Newman M, Parsons M, Zava D, Glaser-Garbrick D. Safety of maternal testosterone therapy during breast feeding. Int J Pharm Compd. 2009 Jul-Aug;13(4):314-7. Abstract
  4. Hoover KL, Barbalinardo LH, Platia MP. Delayed lactogenesis II secondary to gestational ovarian theca lutein cysts in two normal singleton pregnancies. J Hum Lact. 2002 Aug;18(3):264-8. Abstract
  5. Weinstein D, Ben-David M, Polishuk WZ. Serum prolactin and the suppression of lactation. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1976 Abstract

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