Axillary hair, deodorant don't affect testosterone absorption

(HealthDay)—After application of testosterone solution, serum testosterone concentration is unaffected by the presence or absence of axillary hair or by the use of deodorant/antiperspirant, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

David S. Small, Ph.D., from Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, and colleagues conducted an open-label crossover study to examine the effect of deodorant/antiperspirant use and presence or absence of axillary hair on testosterone solution absorption. Thirty healthy males were randomly allocated to one of four treatment sequences involving six treatments. Each treatment consisted of the application of one 1.5-mL dose of 2-percent testosterone solution to each axilla; axillae were shaved or unshaved and pretreated or untreated with deodorant/antiperspirant.

The researchers found that across treatments the mean testosterone concentration profiles were similar. The area under the concentration-time curve through 24 and 72 hours and maximum total testosterone concentration (C_max) were similar, except for lower C_max when treatment was applied after deodorant/antiperspirant to shaved versus unshaved axillae; however, this difference was not considered clinically significant. There was low incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in each treatment arm, with most events being mild.

"Absorption of testosterone 2-percent solution was unaffected by use of deodorant/antiperspirant or by the presence or absence of axillary hair," the authors write.

The study was funded by Eli Lilly; all authors are employees of and minor shareholders in Eli Lilly.

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