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[PaulineF]

So ... I went private and I've been prescribed a testosterone/estriol compound cream; 1mg of each per pump, and advised to use it vaginally (my testosterone level is about as low as you can get, same with estrogen).
I'm not sure why I was advised to use it this way (I use Vagifem for prolapse and dryness and it's working a dream), and I think 1mg of testosterone seems pretty low. As an aside, also prescribed Sandrena to use in conjunction with the compound cream, and the consultant added DHEA and pregnenalone to the list too.
Thoughts re testosterone dosage please (standard seems 5mg?), as well as using it vaginally, would be much appreciated. I've followed up with my consultant but would like to hear of others experiences. Thanks!

[ATB]

So this is compounded bio identical hormones? The issues around them as I understand it are that they are not licensed and so dosage is uncertain and so is their safety, as well as no evidence regarding efficiency.

[CrispyChick]

I'm taking compounded testosterone. Started at 1mg and then increased to 2mg.

Mine was combined with dhea and I decided I wanted to try my hormones separately, so I stopped. 4 weeks ago I restarted 1mg testosterone, just about to increase to 2mg. I felt good affects last time at 2mg. No affects on 1mg yet...

I was just told, starting me low to get used to it.

What about progesterone???

[joziel]

Pauline, this all sounds like a very non-standard use of everything you've described there. I doubt you will get many responses because it's so outside anything the rest of us are taking.

Compounded bio-identical hormones are not recommended. They are often not reliable in terms of what they contain and not regulated, so they are not safe.

Body identical and bio-identical are not the same. Body identical is safe, regulated and what many women are prescribed. Bio-identical hormones are not regulated or safe.

For more info, see this leaflet: https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/uploads/2021/07/Body-Identical-Hormones-FINAL-22.pdf

"So what are ‘compounded bioidentical’ types of HRT?
Many private clinics are using ‘compounded bioidentical’ hormones. These are not the same as the body identical hormones just described to you. Compounded bioidentical hormones are not regulated and are not subject to any quality controls. The hormones are custom made in order to prescribe them in combination doses or preparations that are not routinely available. They are neither licensed nor regulated and are not recommended.
Some of the hormones used in bioidentical compounded treatments contain hormones that are not proven to be effective for women, such as a hormone called DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) or pregnenolone. Many women are given progesterone creams which are not well absorbed by the body, and they are not available on the NHS due to lack of good evidence for them.
"

I would recommending finding a qualified and reputable private clinic which does not use bio-identical hormones.

[PaulineF]

Yeah ... forgot to mention the progesterone - Utrogestan, 100mg. I do feel the testosterone level is too low, and I'm skeptical about taking it vaginally ... I've been prescribed DHEA, but just as a supplement, and not the cream.

I'm taking compounded testosterone. Started at 1mg and then increased to 2mg.

Mine was combined with dhea and I decided I wanted to try my hormones separately, so I stopped. 4 weeks ago I restarted 1mg testosterone, just about to increase to 2mg. I felt good affects last time at 2mg. No affects on 1mg yet...

I was just told, starting me low to get used to it.

What about progesterone???

[PaulineF]

Thanks Joziel - appreciate the info

Yeah ... forgot to mention the progesterone - Utrogestan, 100mg. I do feel the testosterone level is too low, and I'm skeptical about taking it vaginally ... I've been prescribed DHEA, but just as a supplement, and not the cream.

I'm taking compounded testosterone. Started at 1mg and then increased to 2mg.

Mine was combined with dhea and I decided I wanted to try my hormones separately, so I stopped. 4 weeks ago I restarted 1mg testosterone, just about to increase to 2mg. I felt good affects last time at 2mg. No affects on 1mg yet...

I was just told, starting me low to get used to it.

What about progesterone???

[CrispyChick]

Pauline, there's a thread on bhrt in the alternatives section - you might be better over there.

Many don't agree with the compounded bhrt method.

For me, I had to resort to it, as I don't need estrogen, so the nhs couldn't help me. Everyone has their own reasons, and like I say, it is discussed on the alternatives section.  As you're on utrogestan, your clinic clearly offer both mainstream and compounded.

Your clinic will be like mine, require regular bloods and scan etc. So, yes, the Testosterone is lower dose, but it's also easier to manage /dispense than the male alternative the nhs need to use. Why not try the 1mg?? It can easily be increased. My clinic started everything low to see how it worked.

[Marchlove]

Yes I’m on compounded too Pauline.
It’s best as Crispy suggested to use the bhrt thread she has mentioned.

Interesting re the combined testosterone and estriol cream. X

[PaulineF]

Thanks, CrispyChick ... Honestly, the only reason I went private was because I felt the NHS menopause clinic I was referred to just weren't listening to me, and happy to chuck anything at me to try. I get that - I know it's what most of us are doing. That said, I was desperate and ended up with a menopause specialist that seems to be doling out anything and everything. And yes, blood test and scan, was felt happy I was getting the right prescription - I guess now that I'm on it (I've only just started), I'm questioning everything on the list as I'm aware it's a bit unconventional ... I'll keep at it, and check out the alternatives section. Thanks for your input - it's much appreciated!

Pauline, there's a thread on bhrt in the alternatives section - you might be better over there.

Many don't agree with the compounded bhrt method.

For me, I had to resort to it, as I don't need estrogen, so the nhs couldn't help me. Everyone has their own reasons, and like I say, it is discussed on the alternatives section.  As you're on utrogestan, your clinic clearly offer both mainstream and compounded.

Your clinic will be like mine, require regular bloods and scan etc. So, yes, the Testosterone is lower dose, but it's also easier to manage /dispense than the male alternative the nhs need to use. Why not try the 1mg?? It can easily be increased. My clinic started everything low to see how it worked.

[CrispyChick]

I hear you Pauline.

That conversation seems to be had so often. People do get fed up when they just get random hrt flung at them. It happened to me. Until the nhs can start tailoring a bit, I believe there will be a constant troop of people go to these unregulated clinics.

That said, if the clinics are so bad and don't help folks... Where are all the bad reviews? I can't find any.

Look into it by all means, but by constant bloods and scans you're protected more than you ever are under the NHS.

Let me know how your testosterone goes. That's me done 4 weeks, I think I'll up to 2mg tomorrow. 👍

[Sassypurple]

Hi just wondered what your testosterone result was as mine was 0.4 and the doctor said it is normal so do not need it.

[Marchlove]

Your doctor is wrong Sassypurple. Has he not even said if it’s testosterone or the FAI? Either way it’s wrong that you don’t need it.

I suggest you start a new thread about it as you’ll get far more response. You could call it ‘Testosterone Results’ x

[Sassypurple]

Thanks I will do that

[PaulineF]

I'm really hoping that I can continue on the testosterone with the NHS. I've made an appointment with my GP to get another referral back to the meno clinic and hope they'll prescribe it. My levels were so low, they were unreadable  One plus point on going private was that I was asked to get a pelvic scan - something I was hesitant to do, but went ahead anyway ... turns out there are abnormalities in both ovaries with one being very suspect. I've been referred urgently for further investigations. I'd have been utterly oblivious had I taken the NHS route. Let me know how you get on with the 2mg! I don't feel 1mg is enough - are you finding you're getting any benefits?

I hear you Pauline
That conversation seems to be had so often. People do get fed up when they just get random hrt flung at them. It happened to me. Until the nhs can start tailoring a bit, I believe there will be a constant troop of people go to these unregulated clinics.

That said, if the clinics are so bad and don't help folks... Where are all the bad reviews? I can't find any.

Look into it by all means, but by constant bloods and scans you're protected more than you ever are under the NHS.

Let me know how your testosterone goes. That's me done 4 weeks, I think I'll up to 2mg tomorrow. 👍

[PaulineF]

It was so low it was undetectable.

Hi just wondered what your testosterone result was as mine was 0.4 and the doctor said it is normal so do not need it.