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[juliaC]

I have ordered interosa and it arrived today.

I seem to get headaches and sensitivity to sound when using vagifem.  Same with estriol if used internally. 

While this shouldn't happen it's been my experience so you can imagine I'm hesitant to try interosa.

But I'd like to know what other's experiences have been with it.  And also anyone taking systemic DHEA.  What are the benefits of this over (or with) testosterone therapy?

Thanks

[bombsh3ll]

I take systemic DHEA for about 5 years now.

Sublingual 25mg daily, life extension brand.

I take it for low testosterone and it has restored my free T and FAI from close to zero to near the top of normal range for young healthy women, with good clinical effects.

The reason I take this and not testosterone are:

a) cost and accessibility - I can buy it inexpensively and do not need any consultation or prescription.

b) I am on the combined birth control pill and there have been studies showing the safety of DHEA to restore testosterone on the pill, whereas there have been none with testosterone. Whilst it is probably safe to take testosterone at physiological doses on birth control, there is no scientific data to back this up.

c) I prefer to use my mouth than my skin to get things into my body as I find it more convenient and reliable. However I may give testosterone a try when I am on MHT and not birth control.

We have DHEA in our bodies anyway so it is difficult to see anyone having a reaction to it unless it is one of the excipients rather than the active ingredient.

[MrsMitch]

If you take a look at my recent post called Intrarosa journey- sorry I don't know how you post links! My experience, although early days isn't good. From what Bombsh3ll said, I don't understand why I'm having such a severe reaction to it if we have DHEA in our bodies anyway. The only other ingredient is coconut oil which I already use as a moisturiser. Just can't work it out.
Sorry that's not a positive answer for you.

[juliaC]

I take systemic DHEA for about 5 years now.

Sublingual 25mg daily, life extension brand.

I take it for low testosterone and it has restored my free T and FAI from close to zero to near the top of normal range for young healthy women, with good clinical effects.

The reason I take this and not testosterone are:

a) cost and accessibility - I can buy it inexpensively and do not need any consultation or prescription.

b) I am on the combined birth control pill and there have been studies showing the safety of DHEA to restore testosterone on the pill, whereas there have been none with testosterone. Whilst it is probably safe to take testosterone at physiological doses on birth control, there is no scientific data to back this up.

c) I prefer to use my mouth than my skin to get things into my body as I find it more convenient and reliable. However I may give testosterone a try when I am on MHT and not birth control.

We have DHEA in our bodies anyway so it is difficult to see anyone having a reaction to it unless it is one of the excipients rather than the active ingredient.

Thanks bombsh3ll, that's really interesting.  I will see if I can get my testosterone levels checked and may check out the life extension brand.  I take your points on systemic treatment.  I am currently on evorel sequi, so patches.  I find that I have a lot of fatigue, weakness and prolapse on the conti patch.  When I switch to the estradiol only, in the first week I feel like my skin on my face is so thin and I seem to notice vaginal atrophy symptoms.  Then all of this resolves and by the time I have to switch back to conti I'm feeling my best.  But the change back to conti puts me back to square one.

They want me to change to conti full time but I have to think it through.  Because it seems there's a sweet spot just around the last estradiol only patch that's just right for me, before change back to conti.

I've tried a small amount of the interosa, same day I had palpitations.  But that could have been the switch to estradiol only patch, so I will give it more tries as it's unlikely to be that I think.

[juliaC]

If you take a look at my recent post called Intrarosa journey- sorry I don't know how you post links! My experience, although early days isn't good. From what Bombsh3ll said, I don't understand why I'm having such a severe reaction to it if we have DHEA in our bodies anyway. The only other ingredient is coconut oil which I already use as a moisturiser. Just can't work it out.
Sorry that's not a positive answer for you.

Thanks MrsMitch, I will go find your post.  I'm sorry to hear you've had a reaction to it, I'll read your post and I will report back when I've used intarosa properly a few times.

[juliaC]

Sure enough I'm on the last estradiol patch before switching to the combined and I finally feel normal.  Water retention is leaving, mood is lifting, energy rising, prolapse symptoms much less.

It would be good to know what HRT would help me stay at this level for longer.  Unfortunately the combined is ok first week but then all the symptoms start returning.

[sheila99]

If you're still peri that's when your own oestrogen is highest so you might feel better because of that in which case an expert increase in oestrogen might help. If you feel worse on the conti patches you might try a different progestogen.

[AKatieD]

I take 50mg DHEA capsules to help balance adrenal issues ( high cortisol levels in my case )

[juliaC]

I take 50mg DHEA capsules to help balance adrenal issues ( high cortisol levels in my case )

Thanks AKatieD, I take it you take these orally.  I wonder if I should do that, might be less of a faff.

[juliaC]

If you're still peri that's when your own oestrogen is highest so you might feel better because of that in which case an expert increase in oestrogen might help. If you feel worse on the conti patches you might try a different progestogen.

thanks Sheila, so it's not because I've had pure estradiol for 2 weeks, it's that my own body is producing extra at this time.

Interesting, I am going to try and use Utrogestan this month and remain on Evorel.

[AKatieD]

Yes, orally. Available in micronised capsules OTC via iHerb ( not sold in UK)

[juliaC]

Yes, orally. Available in micronised capsules OTC via iHerb ( not sold in UK)

Thanks!