Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Cherylann75 on February 26, 2023, 07:09:23 PM
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Hi, before Christmas my gynae increased my estrogen from 50mg patch to 75mg and added Tostran one pump every other day. I couldn’t get the Tostran till maybe mid Jan. I’ve started getting greasy skin, spots and had a mammogram and scan this week and my breasts have a lot of cysts (for about 6 weeks by breasts have felt bigger and itchy). Im also a bit short tempered! I’m thinking of going back to 50mg patch. And keeping with the Tostran for now. Any advice?
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Hi Cherylann - have they said anything about the cause of the cysts or made any recommendations? If you're feeling more short-tempered then that would be most likely to do with the Tostran than the oestrogen increase, as that is not a side effect! Also are your testosterone and SHBG levels going to be tested to check that T remains within the physiological range for women? Personally I would reduce the T. I have never used whatever the recommended anount is - far less - so maybe that is too much for you. The original recommendation for Tostran was twice weekly and then increase to 3 x weekly if necessary but I think 3 x per week is now standard starting dose. Maybe reduce to twice a week? What does your gynae say?
Hurdity x
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Hi, thanks so much for this reply. I won’t be able to speak to gynae again until my review in a few months. My GP I have no faith in at all which is why I asked to be referred. I wasn’t feeling too bad on 50mg of evorel before but the gynae suggested upping it as she said testosterone is only for libido not the memory etc side of things that I have heard it helps with. I’ve never suffered with flushed it might sweats. I googled about breast changes and saw breast soreness and cysts can be due to increased estrogen. My sister was prescribed testosterone by her GP who did a follow up test after less than a month and hers is high already and she’s been told to decrease so will take your advice and get that checked and reduce it. I was told every other day for the Tostran and wasn’t told to get levels checked again which I guess wasn’t helpful! It’s so hard getting it all right, especially with gynae reviews not being often and can’t seem to get advice from them between appointments.
Thanks again Hurdity