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[HS74]

Hi, hope you are all going well!
I started on testogel about 4 weeks ago. I have been on anti depressants intermittently for about 8 years and in the last two years have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, had changed my script to escitalopram, and taken them consistently since. I had seen some improvement but still had times when I got extremely low on a consistent basis.
I started realising after I had been on testosterone a while that I was consistently feeling less depressed, with less frequency in the more serious resurgences, even to the point where i realised i was forgetting to take the anti depressants as I was feeling so much better. It was so noticeable that checked out Googled and have seen there are some pieces of information about women and testosterone potentially assisting with depression. Of course, as we all know - very little research exists 

I was interested in other people's experiences with this?

Thanks!

[CLKD]

Interesting.  Many 4get that testosterone makes up part of a womans' hormone requirements.

I've taken various ADs since 1988.  Without I wouldn't get out of bed.

The males on my paternal side all had mental health issues - mayB it was a lack of testosterone ?  Dad and his 2 elder brothers were 'lively' and reactionary.  I too am reactionary  .

Years ago I wanted to know what was driving my depression: of course, there's no research.  I suffer with both clinical/situational and organic depression.

[bombsh3ll]

Depression is a recognised symptom of low testosterone, and frequently cited in literature on male hypogonadism.

Yet women are just prescribed antidepressants (which can further suppress hormone production) and only allowed testosterone replacement to make us sleep with men.

[sheila99]

Yet women are just prescribed antidepressants (which can further suppress hormone production) and only allowed testosterone replacement to make us sleep with men.

You cynic! Though I absolutely agree. I get so tired of 'there is no evidence for...'. Well obviously there isn't because no-one has done any research.

[CLKD]

Low testosterone in relation to depression is new to me: I had very excruciatingly painful heavy periods for years.  The males on the paternal side all had mental health issues.  I now wonder  ........

[bombsh3ll]

I get so tired of 'there is no evidence for...'. Well obviously there isn't because no-one has done any research.

Actually that's getting old too. There's plenty of research. It's just that those who write the guidelines either haven't read it or don't agree with it.

This tends to happen in particular with subjective, user reported outcomes such as mood, energy etc which are difficult to measure objectively and especially where the study population are female, reflecting the culture within medicine of women not being listened to or believed, and the undervaluing of our quality of life as an outcome.

[CrispyChick]

Bombshell.    .

Not much makes me smile in this peri hell - but your comment here did. Spot on though. 

[CrispyChick]

As a side, I used dhea from a bhrt clinic a few years ago for 2 months. I felt lovely and calm on it. I think it concerts to testosterone

[bombsh3ll]

I am on dhea too (25mcg sublingual) for androgen replacement.

This has brought my free T up from virtually zero to the upper quartile of the healthy premenopausal female range.

I can't separate out any direct psychological effects because I am a lot happier due to it having improved my physical health.

I may try actual testosterone one day when I am no longer on the pill, because that is the "gold standard" but if the effect is not superior or if it is unaffordable then I would be happy to remain on dhea.

[Dandelion]

Yet women are just prescribed antidepressants (which can further suppress hormone production) and only allowed testosterone replacement to make us sleep with men.

You cynic! Though I absolutely agree. I get so tired of 'there is no evidence for...'. Well obviously there isn't because no-one has done any research.

I noticed that very little research is done on women and testosterone as I have been looking into it lately.
There are some doctors out there in the world who do recognise it, but the UK is known for it's conservative approach on the subject.
I also read there has been a ten-fold demand in it since 2022.
While sex-drive is quoted over and over again, there are other symptoms, anxiety lack of motivation is one of my main symptoms besides the sex thing.

[Dandelion]

Low testosterone in relation to depression is new to me: I had very excruciatingly painful heavy periods for years.  The males on the paternal side all had mental health issues.  I now wonder  ........

I always wondered why evorel and utrogestan did not get rid of my anxiety that I felt was somehow "systemic" rather than in my head, but kept quiet.
It's only now I am seriously looking into testosterone. I used to wonder why women needed it and I might have just denied I might need it.
My laziness is getting worse, plus no sex drive, and other symptoms evorel got rid of are coming back, but not the flushes thankfully.
I theorise that some women, when they get in postmeno get more deficient in hormones, including testosterone, but a blood test would be needed first.

[Fizwhizz]

Low testosterone in relation to depression is new to me: I had very excruciatingly painful heavy periods for years.  The males on the paternal side all had mental health issues.  I now wonder  ........

I always wondered why evorel and utrogestan did not get rid of my anxiety that I felt was somehow "systemic" rather than in my head, but kept quiet.
It's only now I am seriously looking into testosterone. I used to wonder why women needed it and I might have just denied I might need it.
My laziness is getting worse, plus no sex drive, and other symptoms evorel got rid of are coming back, but not the flushes thankfully.
I theorise that some women, when they get in postmeno get more deficient in hormones, including testosterone, but a blood test would be needed first.

I know I have no testosterone, below the range and not much oestrogen. I’m trying to increase oestrogen with increasing patches to 50mcg but am going to investigate testosterone regardless. I have no motivation whatsoever and am so lazy now. I hate feeling this way too.

[Dandelion]

Low testosterone in relation to depression is new to me: I had very excruciatingly painful heavy periods for years.  The males on the paternal side all had mental health issues.  I now wonder  ........

I always wondered why evorel and utrogestan did not get rid of my anxiety that I felt was somehow "systemic" rather than in my head, but kept quiet.
It's only now I am seriously looking into testosterone. I used to wonder why women needed it and I might have just denied I might need it.
My laziness is getting worse, plus no sex drive, and other symptoms evorel got rid of are coming back, but not the flushes thankfully.
I theorise that some women, when they get in postmeno get more deficient in hormones, including testosterone, but a blood test would be needed first.

I know I have no testosterone, below the range and not much oestrogen. I’m trying to increase oestrogen with increasing patches to 50mcg but am going to investigate testosterone regardless. I have no motivation whatsoever and am so lazy now. I hate feeling this way too.

While I am sorry to hear you feel this way, I am not alone, it's the worst feeling, getting behind on chores, not engaging hobbies, feeling as if everyone else around me is more enthusiastic, as in friends, etc.
I think life is passing me by, all I want to do is play games on my phone, no more art, singing, swimming etc.
Anyway, I will stop rambling now. I will research DHEA online, starting on here and if not try for T, as I want my life back.