Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Dramy3]

Hi all

my menopause GP added Androfemme to my oestrogel regimen in April and I've tried varying doses. First was 1 petit pois for 2 months and then upping to 2 petit pois for 3 months. By that stage my free testosterone level was 3.6 (pretty high) but FAI was 2.8 so the GP was happy. However, I had a hunch it was causing a lot of my extreme panic attacks, anxiety and depression (suicidal thoughts). So, I stopped it and the next day felt so much better.

Continued without the testosterone for a month but my VA symptoms started to sneak back in so I added a half petit pois every other day about a week ago.

I'm noticing that on the days with testosterone my resting heart rate is really high (95-100ish) and I'm a bit lightheaded in the way I was when anxiety was so bad.

This is basically the opposite of how testosterone should affect women as it is proven to be great for anxiety and mood stabilising. So, just wondering if this is possibly placebo or if anyone has experienced something similar.

Thanks for any insight.

[CLKD]

MayB U don't require testosterone at all? 

[Dramy3]

Maybe, but my VA symptoms all but disappeared when I was using it??

[CLKD]

Morning.  What else are U using for the VA? 

[Dandelion]

I'm following this thread and I hope you get it sorted @Dramy3.

[Dramy3]

Morning.  What else are U using for the VA?

It's a LONG answer!
I've been battling this for 5 years since my hysterectomy (kept ovaries). Started with just moisturisers (hydromol ointment then Sylk and then Yes). Tried all the topical oestrogens (Blissel, Intrarosa, Ovestin). Tried vagifem. Have done all of these in a variety of regimens from daily to twice weekly. Have been using Ovestin daily and Vagifem twice weekly for about 2 years. This helped about 25% so the meno GP added Estradot (first at 25mcg and then up to 75mcg eventually). This made it all about 50% better. Added testosterone and was 90% better, but made me seriously ill (panic, depression). Stopped that 6 weeks ago and mental symptoms resolved but itch and soreness setting in again even with 50mcg estradot and 1 pump of oestrogel that was added 6 weeks ago because of poor absorption of the patch. I'm about 50% better than I used to be but would like to be better. Have just started Intrarosa again as I didn't give it very long before. I'm using it externally not inside as these are my main symptoms.

Sorry for the long answer but thanks for replying!

[Nas]

Can you stop the testosterone and increase the oestrogen, to try and get shot of the VA? Or, just use the T twice weekly?

I seem to remember that when I was using Tostron, my body felt wired and anxiety hit the ceiling.

But when on 100 patch, anxiety lifted, VA went and there was no need for T.

[CLKD]

Have U tried using 'vagifem' every night plus a smear of 'ovestin/estriol' on the outer labia ?  Some find that 'yes' or 'sylc' on the outer areas eases symptoms.  When symptoms niggle I swallow 2 Nurofen 3 times a day which helps ease that need2P feeling.  I also put extra 'estriol' up mid afternoon and again for 3-5 nights.  It really can be Trial and Error which is tiring 

[bombsh3ll]

If you are only using testosterone for VA and don't find it otherwise beneficial at any dose, then either increasing your estrogen or giving intrarosa a longer trial is probably your best bet.

Another option is oral or sublingual dhea which I take for androgen replacement.

It has increased my T levels nicely with corresponding clinical improvement.

Because it is converted to T in the body it results in a more stable level than applying a gel which gives a really high peak after absorption.

[Dramy3]

If you are only using testosterone for VA and don't find it otherwise beneficial at any dose, then either increasing your estrogen or giving intrarosa a longer trial is probably your best bet.

Another option is oral or sublingual dhea which I take for androgen replacement.

It has increased my T levels nicely with corresponding clinical improvement.

Because it is converted to T in the body it results in a more stable level than applying a gel which gives a really high peak after absorption.

That's great insight, thank you. I'd read about oral dhea on another post (from you I believe) so will investigate a bit. Thanks again.

[Dramy3]

Have U tried using 'vagifem' every night plus a smear of 'ovestin/estriol' on the outer labia ?  Some find that 'yes' or 'sylc' on the outer areas eases symptoms.  When symptoms niggle I swallow 2 Nurofen 3 times a day which helps ease that need2P feeling.  I also put extra 'estriol' up mid afternoon and again for 3-5 nights.  It really can be Trial and Error which is tiring 

Thanks for replying. I've tried all the combinations of topical oestrogen so have at least narrowed it down to needing more systemic or added testosterone. Now to find the right concoction with those! And I'm peri so it'll change again in about 2 months. 

[Dramy3]

Can you stop the testosterone and increase the oestrogen, to try and get shot of the VA? Or, just use the T twice weekly?

I seem to remember that when I was using Tostron, my body felt wired and anxiety hit the ceiling.

But when on 100 patch, anxiety lifted, VA went and there was no need for T.

Thank you Nas! I'm relieved to hear someone else had that reaction to testosterone (although not glad you experienced it). I can't find any evidence that it is a problem--except for a study in mice. Such is the state of women's health research.

I've upped my oestrogen to a 50mcg patch and one pump of oestrodial and my numbers are good so hopefully that'll help. I'm going to keep going with the intrarosa for at least 2 months as well as I know how long it can take to see a difference with these things.

Thanks again for the advice.

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on?  Every issue shared will help others ;-)

[Hurdity]

Hi - re testosterone. I've been taking it for nearly 10 years and have never experienced a bad reaction to it. I use the men's products - currently Testogel sachets and apply a pea sized blob to the inner soles of my foot ( thanks to sheila99!!!) . My total T level is still very low though my libido (or rather response) is completely restored so it must be working.

I wasn't aware that it could affect VA though I do know about Intrarosa, which does increase androgens as far as I remember some years back I posted on a thread about it: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45659.msg735724.html#msg735724 where I had skim-read a study about intrarosa here: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/assessment-report/intrarosa-epar-public-assessment-report_en.pdf

Hurdity x

[Dandelion]

Hi - re testosterone. I've been taking it for nearly 10 years and have never experienced a bad reaction to it. I use the men's products - currently Testogel sachets and apply a pea sized blob to the inner soles of my foot ( thanks to sheila99!!!) . My total T level is still very low though my libido (or rather response) is completely restored so it must be working.

I wasn't aware that it could affect VA though I do know about Intrarosa, which does increase androgens as far as I remember some years back I posted on a thread about it: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45659.msg735724.html#msg735724 where I had skim-read a study about intrarosa here: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/assessment-report/intrarosa-epar-public-assessment-report_en.pdf

Hurdity x

Hi Hurdity and thanks for your post.
My GP said she would be willing to prescribe testosterone for me if my bloods for it come back low, and she is willing to prescribe more oestrogen, and to come back down in dose of E if I bleed (past history of bleeding). She asked if I had a sore vagina, I have had the odd evening where it feels sore for no reason but that's all.
I read that the low testosterone figure for the NHS is lower than private practice.
Low sex drive is just one of the many symptoms I'm getting.
It's good your response is re you still getting any low testosterone symptoms?
I ask because I want enough of a dose, although I appreciate you start with a low dose.