HRT issues - Plus need to hear about experiences with testosterone

[Serendipitious]

I've been on continuous HRT - Utrogestan 100mg, 2 pumps of oestrogel daily and 1 vagirux tablet twice weekly since October 2022. I'm 45.

I recently switched from oral to vaginal utrogestan due to depressed mood but that definitely doesn't suit me so I switched back after 11 days. I started to experience endometriosis type pain. I've been diagnosed with this recently and I suspect it started in perimenopause when I still was making lots of oestrogen but no progesterone. So the systemic progesterone is key for me to keep it in check.

Since starting HRT, I feel that my mood is even lower than before. I had a non-existent libido previously and now I feel its even worse. I think the HRT has definitely helped with improving energy but my muscles still get achy and tired. I still have lots of issues with atrophy and itching. My boobs are definitely bigger as are my hips which I don't like. Sometimes I get some twinging in my boobs which I've never had before. My skin is drier than before and has definitely thinned. I'm trying to do yoga but struggling with strength and stamina. My muscle mass is non-existent I think. I'm now noticing cracking knees and some pain and I don't want to end up with osteoarthritis or something. My knee issues initially started about 8 years ago. Stopped me from exercising which made me very sad.

I really don't want to add more things to my regime but can people share their experiences with testosterone, I understand it comes in a gel? How can I get this? Will I need to see a private gynae?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get thyroid and vitamin levels retested yet

previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Serendipitious in reply to SlowDragon]

I still haven’t. Must do that. Thanks for the reminder.

[SarahJane1471]

your gp can prescribe testosterone. It’s “off” label but it’s perfectly normal for them to prescribe these days. You will have blood test before to check your levels then a repeat blood test in 6 months. I tried it for a year, did nothing for my libido 😩. I came off it because a blood test showed high testosterone 🤷‍♀️. Some people think it’s great.

[Serendipitious in reply to SarahJane1471]

SarahJane1471,

Thanks for your reply. Can I ask why you wanted testosterone? Did you notice any other changes? I also feel I’m lacking any kind of drive and ambition I ever once had for anything. I couldn’t care less about anything any more. I drag myself to do almost everything.

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Serendipitious]

I mainly wanted my libido/energy back but I didn’t notice much difference 🙈. So when my blood tests showed I was over range and I had started Levo I stopped the testosterone. My GO prescribed if without any issue. I thought treating my hypo would resolve energy and libido…….. I’m still working on that

[Serendipitious in reply to SarahJane1471]

I'm wondering if a DUTCH test would reveal why. Must be a reason it is perhaps not having the desired effect. Or was your libido/strength/stamina etc not too bad in the first place anyway?

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Serendipitious]

at that time things were not too bad. They’ve got much worse since stopping but my levels were too high to carry on.

I don’t know what a DUTCH test is 😂

[Serendipitious in reply to SarahJane1471]

It’s the Dried Urine Test of Comprehensive Hormones. It gives you a comprehensive map of all your hormones and all the metabolites and how they interact with one another.

dutchtest.com/about/

[J972]

GPs disinclined to prescribe testosterone and, until recently, the main option has been costly private appointments with gynaecologists or menopause specialists. However, towards the end of last year Superdrug began prescribing testosterone to women for sexual dysfunction reasons. I was able to secure a prescription from them (& repeat prescriptions) without any particular difficulty (& it’s relatively cheap!) - you will need to complete a standard questionnaire which focuses on libido but, like you, I mainly wanted it for energy and pain reduction. As an aside, I had my testosterone levels tested by Superdrug beforehand and they were low but still within range. These information wasn’t necessary for the prescription, but, it’s useful to know your level for future reference . By this I mean that because the product was formulated for men, the dosage for females is not straightforward (a ‘pea sized’ blob is the suggested amount) so it’s important to periodically re-check levels because there’s a fear that over-use could lead to the development of ‘male’ attributes (deepening of voice, hair loss). There’s a wealth of brilliant information available on the website ‘Menopause Matters’ if you’re interested.

Now, has it helped? That’s a tricky one to answer because I’m grappling with other potential health issues, principally hypothyroidism (private blood tests indicate Hashimotos, I literally saw the phlebotomist at my GP’s surgery this morning & am awaiting results). What I will say is that you need to be properly established in terms of your HRT regime (oestrogen/progesterone) before testosterone can be effective- it’s thought that testosterone will be converted to oestrogen if levels are insufficient. Again, loads of information about this on menopause matters website.

Lastly I would say that I found utrogestan to be hideous (I tried both avenues of administration) and certainly did not help in terms of energy levels. I’ve been using Evorel conti patches which deliver oestrogen and progesterone transdermally which is preferable. However, I think my body needs more oestrogen so I’m planning to give the mirena coil a try soonish.

[Serendipitious in reply to J972]

J972,

Really appreciate your detailed reply and apologies for not responding earlier. I'm quite surprised that Superdrug are just able to offer hormones like testosterone to people, slippery slope comes to mind, without a doctor's prescription! Presumably you've not been on this too long either to give it a fair assessment? Or are the effects quite immediate? My other questions are whether you're okay in terms of stamina and strength in which case adding testosterone may not be useful.

When you say established in your HRT regime do you mean having been on the same dose for a particular amount of time or just having been on it for 6 months? I've been using it for almost 5 months now.

I'll be honest I'm a bit afraid of testosterone. Yes I am aware it can convert to Oestrogen via the Aromatase enzyme. I'm also considering doing a DUTCH test to see what metabolites my body produces. Historically I've always had heavy periods too. Well those are no more but I've had two bleeds recently. Is it normal to have bleeds randomly on HRT?

I've decided I'm going to stick to Utrogestan. I've found I can improve my low mood with yoga and other things. It doesnt seem bad at the moment. The Evorel patches sound convenient but I want to take body-identical progesterone and not a progestin which I believe the Evorel contains. All this management is quite exhausting. I hope your blood test went well. I think I need to do a private one.

[Lavender-Blue]

I was sent this by ob/gyn Gen Gunter on Testosterone:

vajenda.substack.com/p/test...

[denise5853]

I've recently started on testosterone gel and it has improved my libido, my doctor prescribed it initially for 3 months only but I have asked to stay on it and am having blood tests to monitor levels original prescription was 1 gel pump every other day but this gave too high levels am now on two pumps of the gel per week which I do Sunday and Thursday rub on inner thighs and abdomen alternating, have noticed extra hair growth in these areas but no other side effects, hope this helps

[Serendipitious in reply to denise5853]

Sounds really good. Glad it’s helped you. To be honest I am slightly afraid of testosterone gel. I wish I could apply it on my head and get more hair growth there 🤦🏻‍♀️ 🤣 I’ve lost so much of my hair 😫