Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Gilla999 on October 04, 2021, 02:09:35 PM
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Hi all - I started taking Testosterone about a week ago and while I am generally feeling pretty good on it, I have noticed that my skin is SUPER oily. It's a bit like being a teenager again! I have also gained a couple of pounds (might not be the Testosterone, but nothing else has changed). The unexpected increase in sex drive is a welcome bonus, but not loving the oily skin and certainly weight gain wouldn't be ok.
Are these kind of side effects common and do they settle?
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What does it say in the leaflet in the box ?
I was told that it would cause my voice to lower . I knew that my low sex drive was hormonal >:(
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I was told it would take a good few weeks even months to notice any difference! I’m coming up to 4 weeks and have noticed my palpitations and anxiety have reduced although this of course could be my estrogen stabilising? Good luck with it! It’s meant to be the icing on the cake for alot of women 🤞
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Thanks Flan and CLKD!
Flan great to hear you've been feeling a little better, whatever the reason! I generally feel fine (good even!) it's just the oily skin and hair (not normal for me) that are a bit annoying, I really hope they're just teething problems and subside (I think they're both classic Androgenic symptoms so not totally surprising).
CLKD there wasn't anything in the box about it, just the normal warnings about hair growth. The roaring sex drive seems to have settled down a bit now, although I am still noticing some benefits in that department! But there was definitely a change and it happened after only two days - I wasn't even "expecting" it, so not psychological. I wondered what was going on and then it clicked.
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Hi
I got greasy and spotty skin when started on tostran while trying to get settled on the right dose. I am now on Testogel sachet over two weeks. Pea size blob every day.
Didi
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Hi there Gilla
I noticed none of those side effects whatsoever - and as already said the general advice is that changes can take up to 4-5 months to be felt!! Not sure about sex drive. Mine did not improve (ie libido) although response was completely restored!
The only change I have experienced is hair growth at the application site. I used to apply to upper inner thigh, then inside of knee and now to sole of foot ( following sheila99) but sadly I think my hairy thighs are here to stay :o. Nothing that a razor won't deal with though and a small price to pay....just have to remember to wear my glasses in the sunny summer when I wear v short shorts because otherwise I don't see the hairs!!! Oh the joys of being a woman!
I wouldn't have thought weight gain would be shown that quickly?
Using tostran is more likely to produce spikes in testosterone because it is twice as concentrated as testogel sachets. As such I would not want to use it though many women do. What dose and product do you use?
It is important to have a tesosterone ( and SHBG) test some months or weeks after starting T to ensure that your dose is not too high.
CLKD - the virilisation (voice deepening) you refer to is a myth when levels are maintained within female physiological range. Could it be perpetrated by men wishing to deny women this important hormone?! Yes decreased sex drive is indeed hormonal although some medications can also produce this undesirable effect.
Hurdity x
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Tnx Hurdity
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Is there a concensus that testosterone has to wait until oestrogen is optimised and is only for sex drive? Is anyone (postmenopausally) using testosterone with oestrogen still not stable and optimised and for other additional benefits, reducing other symptoms? Thanks!
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Hi Postmeno3 i was prescribed Testosterone to help with exhaustion x
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Hi Postmeno3 i was prescribed Testosterone to help with exhaustion x
So was I, and no mention of libido or optimising oestrogen level. Prescribed by meno clinic at ChelWest.
JP x
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Thanks Hurdity, that's really interesting... is there a reason you didn't apply to inner arm? I did wonder if there might be a problem with me applying both my Testosterone and Lenzetto to the inner arm but I seem to be ok so far?
You're right on the weight gain - it wouldn't have shown that quickly.
Definitely planning to have my testosterone tested in a couple of months - I've only started on a small dose but want to double check I've not gone in the other direction!
Didi good to hear I wasn't the only one that experienced the skin issues and that it did settle once you found the right dose. Guess I'll keep plodding on / monitoring it and hope that the skin issue goes away as my body adjusts :)
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Glad it’s working for you Gilla999. I got a few spots in the first week too but nothing major. My skin feels better and more like it did in my 20’s, it feels more supple, soft and hydrated.
I felt hungry all the time but I was taking the Utrogestan too and think it was probably that as the hunger has gone. I’ve lost 5 lbs relatively easily!
Same as you on the sex drive front, felt it early on too. I hope it stays!
Biggest difference for me is cognitive, my brain feels alive, no more fog and anxiety, again it was early on, around day 2 or 3. Have you noticed this?
As I’ve not done the full 3 months on Oestrogel I can’t be certain which hormone is responsible for which improvements but I noticed differences within 3 days on E & T.
My Surgery has just agreed the second bottle of Testogel, I was concerned they wouldn’t so am thrilled.
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Hi Postmeno3
Is anyone (postmenopausally) using testosterone with oestrogen still not stable and optimised and for other additional benefits, reducing other symptoms?
Yes, me!
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Am interested to hear that testosterone is being prescribed for a range of symptoms, all of which apply to me. Can I ask if this is private prescribing? VictoryV, am especially interested in your not having to complete three months on oestrogen or have evidence that this had levelled out first? Hoping to demystify some conflicted opinions I'm getting, so, thanks!
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Mine was approved by a private consultant (endocrinologist) but I'm lucky to get it on the NHS - he wrote to my GP who then prescribed it for me. I'd waited to get my oestrogen levels up before asking for it, but they were still modest at time of starting T. When I explained my concerns about possible unwanted androgenic side effects given my oestrogen replacement is only low dose, was told it was fine to try T. I second what Hurdity says about the importance of getting levels tested after starting & for those who may still be producing a fair amount themselves it's sensible to test before starting T too. I've had BSO so that can make it easier to get agreement. I think you posted on your sweats thread that you have only 1 ovary Postmeno3, so flagging that up may count in your favour. I believe not all CCGs approve its use in women, so that some GPs' hands are tied even if they'd like to prescribe it. There's a couple of interesting podcasts from Newson Health here covering the breadth of testosterone's effects in women. The first is an interview with a clinician, the second a personal account of how life-changing T replacement can be:-
https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/116-testosterone-the-forgotten-hormone-with-professor-isaac-manyonda
https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/118-testosterone-not-just-icing-on-the-cake-with-rachel-dawber
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Am interested to hear that testosterone is being prescribed for a range of symptoms, all of which apply to me. Can I ask if this is private prescribing? VictoryV, am especially interested in your not having to complete three months on oestrogen or have evidence that this had levelled out first? Hoping to demystify some conflicted opinions I'm getting, so, thanks!
Hi Postmeno, I got my first NHS HRT prescription in early August; 3 bottles of gel, 3 packs of Utrogestan and a Testogel pump.
I’d read that Testosterone wasn’t to be taken until Estrogen levels were right so I stuck the Testogel in the fridge for 5 weeks. The gel got rid of most of the symptoms however getting up to pee several times a night was driving me nuts so I started taking the Testogel daily.
I think it was a prescription error however I’ve put a repeat request in and it’s ready to collect.
I joined private lists but I’m happy with my own GP at the moment.
I can’t be certain which med is doing what, had I waited 3 months before adding T I may have a better idea.
Victoria.
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I was prescribed my Testosterone privately too - it's actually BHRT which I know can be controversial, but I've never had any issues with it :)
Victoria that's really reassuring to hear your skin problems cleared up - I remember you saying it now! Interesting that you felt the sex drive thing early on too! Shame that I'm single and overweight ;D
Hard to say on the brain fog and anxiety aspect - I do know I feel pretty good at the moment, but hard to pinpoint exactly why. I started reducing my Lenzetto dose yesterday to 1.66 sprays (1 and 2/3 spray) so I'm a bit nervous about that, but really want/need to do it so keeping my fingers crossed!x