Hormone Cream Safety: Prevent Transfer to Kids, Pets and Partners

Hormone creams and gels are a popular way to use estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. They are easy to apply, and the hormone is absorbed through the skin. That same feature, though, means the hormone can rub off onto anyone, or any pet, who touches the area where you applied it.

This is called “transfer” or “secondary exposure.” It is easy to prevent once you know what to do. In this article, we will cover who is most at risk, the signs to watch for and simple steps to keep your family safe.

If you use a hormone cream from our pharmacy, click here for step-by-step instructions on how to apply women’s hormone creams and how to apply men’s hormone creams. Have a question about your own prescription? Our pharmacists are here for you on our Ask a Pharmacist page.

How does hormone transfer happen?

When you rub a hormone cream into your skin, some of it stays on the surface for a while. If someone touches that area, or touches your hands before you wash them, a small amount of the hormone can pass to their skin.

Transfer can also happen through:

• Hugging, cuddling or sleeping skin-to-skin
• Towels, sheets, pillowcases or clothing that touched the area
• A pet licking or rubbing against the application site
• A child getting into the cream itself

The amount that transfers may seem tiny. But children and pets are much smaller than adults and have much lower natural hormone levels, so even a small dose can have a big effect.

Who is most at risk?

Children

Young children are the most sensitive to hormone transfer. Doctors have reported cases of toddlers and young children showing early signs of puberty after regular skin contact with a parent who used a testosterone gel. In those cases, the children slept in the same bed as their parent, who applied the gel at bedtime. Once the exposure stopped, the children’s hormone levels went back to normal.

The FDA label for an estrogen skin spray warns that children exposed to estrogen have developed breast budding and breast lumps, and boys have developed breast enlargement.

Signs to watch for in children:

• Breast development or breast lumps in girls or boys
• Pubic or underarm hair at a young age
• Enlargement of the penis or clitoris
• A sudden growth spurt
• New acne, body odor or aggressive behavior

Partners

Adults are less sensitive than children, but transfer can still cause unwanted effects. A woman exposed to her partner’s testosterone may notice acne or new hair growth. A man exposed to his partner’s estrogen may notice breast tenderness. Using vaginal estrogen cream? See the first question in our FAQ below.

Pets

Dogs and cats love to snuggle and lick, which puts them at risk too. The FDA has warned that pets can be exposed to estrogen products when they lick or touch the skin where the product was applied. Small dogs are especially sensitive.

Signs to watch for in pets:

• Swollen nipples or mammary glands
• A swollen vulva in female pets, even if they are spayed
• Nipple enlargement in male pets, even if they are neutered
• Hair loss or other skin changes

If you notice any of these signs in your child or pet, stop the exposure and call your child’s doctor or your veterinarian. Tell them you use a hormone cream.

8 steps to use hormone creams safely

1. Apply only where your provider told you to

Use the exact site on your directions, such as the inner arm, inner thigh or another area. Avoid areas a child or pet is likely to touch, like your hands, neck or face, unless your provider directed you to use them. If you are unsure, review our article about how to apply creams for women or for men.

2. Use an applicator if you can

Many of our hormone creams come in a Topi-Click dispenser, which lets you measure a precise dose and rub it in without getting cream all over your fingers. Click here for more in-depth information on how to use the Topi-Click.

3. Wash your hands right away

Wash your hands well with soap and water as soon as you finish applying the cream. This is one of the most important steps.

4. Let it dry, then cover it

Let the cream absorb fully, then cover the area with clothing. A long-sleeved shirt or pants make a good barrier. Drying alone is not enough if someone will touch the area.

5. Plan around skin-to-skin contact

If you expect close contact, like holding a baby or cuddling a partner, keep the site covered. If contact with the area does happen, the other person should wash their skin with soap and water. Some people find it easier to apply their cream at a time of day when they are less likely to have close contact.

6. Wait before showering or swimming

Showering too soon can wash away your dose. Follow the wait time on your prescription label. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist.

7. Keep pets off the application site

Do not let pets lick or lie on the area where you applied your cream. If a pet does touch it, wash the pet’s skin or fur with soap and water.

8. Store and handle it safely

• Keep your cream out of reach of children and pets, ideally up high or in a locked cabinet.
• Wash towels, sheets and clothing that touch the application site regularly.
• Never share your hormone cream with anyone else.

Frequently asked questions

Can vaginal estrogen cream transfer to my partner during sex?

Yes, a small amount can. In a small study of 10 couples, men’s estradiol levels went up slightly after sex with a partner who had just used vaginal estradiol cream. Their levels stayed low, but the researchers noted that regular exposure over a long time could cause changes such as breast tenderness or growth. In one older case report, a man developed breast enlargement after his wife used estrogen cream as a lubricant.

To lower your partner’s exposure:

• Apply your vaginal cream after sex, or at bedtime on nights you do not plan to have sex.
• Never use estrogen cream as a lubricant.
• If sex happens soon after you apply it, your partner can wash with soap and water afterward.
• Ask your provider whether a vaginal insert or tablet is an option. These may leave less hormone on the surface than a cream.

Is it safe for someone to touch the area once the cream is dry?

Not completely. Some hormone can stay on the skin after it feels dry. That is why FDA labeling for estrogen spray says to keep children away from the site and cover it with clothing.

Does the Topi-Click stop transfer?

It helps. The Topi-Click lets you apply cream without getting it all over your fingers. You should still wash your hands and cover the area afterward.

How do I know if my hormone dose is right for me?

Testing can help. Our at-home Hormone Saliva Test Kit and blood panels through our lab partner are good places to start. See the next section.

Products and testing

Whether you are just starting hormone therapy or have used it for years, these tools can help you and your provider make good choices.

At-home Hormone Saliva Test Kit

Our Hormone Saliva Test Kit is processed by ZRT Laboratory, a CLIA-certified lab. You collect saliva at home, mail it in and review your results with one of our pharmacists. Choose a panel that checks estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, or a larger panel that adds DHEA-S, cortisol and more. Kits start at $109. Order your saliva test kit

Blood hormone panels through Ulta Lab Tests

Prefer a blood test? Order hormone blood panels online through our Ulta Lab Tests partner page, then visit a local lab for your blood draw. Shop blood hormone panels

EstroDIM for healthy estrogen metabolism

EstroDIM from Ortho Molecular Products combines indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and DIM, natural compounds found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, plus vitamin E. It supports healthy estrogen metabolism.* Shop EstroDIM

Over-the-counter natural progesterone cream

Looking for a non-prescription option? We carry a Natural Progesterone Creme. It is a body cream you can buy without a prescription. Please talk with one of our pharmacists before you use it, especially if you already use a prescription hormone, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of a hormone-sensitive condition. The same transfer safety steps on this page apply to this cream too. Learn more about our progesterone creme

Professional formulas for our patients

We also offer professional-grade supplement formulas to our patients. Ask us which ones may fit your hormone health goals: professional formulas.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Talk to us if you have concerns

If transfer is a worry in your home, there may be other options. Your provider might consider a different application site, a different time of day to apply, or a different dosage form. Because we compound, we can work with your prescriber to find a form that fits your life. Click here for more in-depth information on women’s health HRT and men’s health HRT.

Wondering whether your current dose is right for you? Click here for more in-depth information on estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, and the 6 signs your hormones might be unbalanced.

When to see your provider

Call your provider, your child’s doctor or your veterinarian if:

• A child in your home shows early signs of puberty, breast development or unusual hair growth
• Your partner notices new acne, hair growth or breast tenderness
• Your pet has swollen nipples, a swollen vulva or hair loss
• A child or pet swallows or gets into your hormone cream

If a child swallows a medication, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How Coast to Coast Compounding can help

At Coast to Coast Compounding in Golden, Colorado, compounded hormone therapy is one of our specialties. Our pharmacists can:

• Walk you through safe application at pickup or over the phone.
• Provide easy-to-use applicators like the Topi-Click to help limit contact with your hands.
• Work with your prescriber to adjust your dosage form or application site if transfer is a concern.
• Help you check your hormone levels with our at-home hormone saliva test kit.
• Make refills simple through our easy reordering page.

Have a question? Request a call back from one of our knowledgeable pharmacists on our Ask a Pharmacist page.

Ready to take the next step? Order your Hormone Saliva Test Kit or talk to a pharmacist today.

Related reading

• How to apply women’s hormonal creams
• How to apply men’s hormonal creams
• How to use the Topi-Click
• Menopause
• Creams, gels and ointments
• What is compounding?

Disclaimers

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It does not replace the directions from your prescriber or the label on your prescription. Always talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before making changes to how you use your medication.

Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Supplements and over-the-counter creams can interact with prescription hormones and other medicines, so check with your pharmacist or provider before you start one.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Evamist (estradiol transdermal spray) prescribing information, including boxed warning on unintentional secondary exposure to estrogen. 2024. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/022014s015lbl.pdf
2. Nelson D, Ho J, Pacaud D, Stephure D. Virilization in two pre-pubertal children exposed to topical androgen. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2013;26(9-10):981-985. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23729604/
3. Deskins SJ, Crowder F, Proenza E, Ely B. Clitoromegaly secondary to exogenous androgen exposure from paternal skin to skin transfer. Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31101. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36475158/
4. Hurst BS, Jones AI, Elliot M, Marshburn PB, Matthews ML. Absorption of vaginal estrogen cream during sexual intercourse: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. J Reprod Med. 2008;53(1):29-32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18251358/
5. DiRaimondo CV, Roach AC, Meador CK. Gynecomastia from exposure to vaginal estrogen cream. N Engl J Med. 1980;302(19):1089-1090. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7366629/