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[Dandelion]

I am reading a lot about testosterone and wonder if it's the missing jigsaw piece in my puzzle, as I have had a return of meno symptoms, despite tweaking with my Doctor the evorel and utro.
It's lead me to research DHEA and most of the posts on here are from years ago, so I am interested to hear any post meno ladies experiences of it, as it is said to increase testosterone, and may prevent me having to try to get a testosterone prescription.
I had a review on HRT on the phone a few months ago, and foolishly said all was ok, perhaps, as not many people have knowledge about and time for menopause.
I have become more and more demotivated, sat here lazily in dressing gown eating tea.
It's getting worse lately.
I am 58 and went on hrt in 2014, five years after unknowingly starting peri.
I am waiting for responses to a question on FB on a local meno FB group about whether other local women who go to my surgery have to be referred to a specialist for a blood test for testosterone levels, or whether the surgery does them.
I've heard of hoop-jumping with regards to NHS testosterone and with my low spirits and motivation, that's the last thing I want, plus wait time, and am prepared to invest a few hundred pounds to go private if I have to, or less just to get bloods done. My bloods might be normal for test but my symptoms all point towards it.
In another FB meno group one single menopausal woman was refused it by her doctor as being single to them meant no sex drive, only in my most paranoid imaginings can I imagine a doctor saying that, and I did imagine it as sex-drive is the main reason people are said to ask for test, when I feel like a shell of a person, and it is a problem but not as big a problem as lack of motivation.
Sorry to go round the houses, if it would be easier to get DHEA I would rather try that first.
Perplexity.ai says it's a controlled substance, yet I know it can be bought online and women have tried it.
Thank you.

[bombsh3ll]

I'm not postmenopausal, however in terms of ovarian androgen production I might as well be as I am on long term continuous COCP.

My endogenous testosterone on this was virtually zero.

I didn't give a rat's ass about libido, I live with severe dysautonomia due to a brain injury, and became interested in testosterone after reading a paper on a number of FTM trans young people with dysautonomia who had dramatically improved after starting testosterone.

I then saw a video by Dr Zoe Hudson talking about her own experience of orthostatic lightheadedness being cured by female doses of testosterone.

I chose dhea due to cost and also the fact it has been studied for safety in those on the pill, whereas testosterone hasn't.

I take 25mg sublingual dhea daily for about 3 years now, and it has resulted in a free testosterone near the upper limit of the healthy premenopausal female range.

This has made a significant difference in making me less syncopal and improving my access to upright posture, even in addition to my pacemaker and the medication I take to support my blood pressure.

It has also restored my libido, which I have not had for 15 years. I had previously attributed this to having lost my fertility due to being left with appendicitis for 3 weeks as a young woman before being operated on, which destroyed my fallopian tubes. My husband and I had so much fruitless intercourse whilst saving for IVF, and sex had come to represent only grief and sadness that it seemed entirely reasonable to have no further interest once we moved to IVF.

Yet that came back too. I never even made the connection that I had gone on the pill the same year for long term menstrual suppression, and that had shut down my testosterone production as well!

I buy it online and use Life Extension brand. You have nothing to lose by trying it.

[Dandelion]

I'm not postmenopausal, however in terms of ovarian androgen production I might as well be as I am on long term continuous COCP.

My endogenous testosterone on this was virtually zero.

I didn't give a rat's ass about libido, I live with severe dysautonomia due to a brain injury, and became interested in testosterone after reading a paper on a number of FTM trans young people with dysautonomia who had dramatically improved after starting testosterone.

I then saw a video by Dr Zoe Hudson talking about her own experience of orthostatic lightheadedness being cured by female doses of testosterone.

I chose dhea due to cost and also the fact it has been studied for safety in those on the pill, whereas testosterone hasn't.

I take 25mg sublingual dhea daily for about 3 years now, and it has resulted in a free testosterone near the upper limit of the healthy premenopausal female range.

This has made a significant difference in making me less syncopal and improving my access to upright posture, even in addition to my pacemaker and the medication I take to support my blood pressure.

It has also restored my libido, which I have not had for 15 years. I had previously attributed this to having lost my fertility due to being left with appendicitis for 3 weeks as a young woman before being operated on, which destroyed my fallopian tubes. My husband and I had so much fruitless intercourse whilst saving for IVF, and sex had come to represent only grief and sadness that it seemed entirely reasonable to have no further interest once we moved to IVF.

Yet that came back too. I never even made the connection that I had gone on the pill the same year for long term menstrual suppression, and that had shut down my testosterone production as well!

I buy it online and use Life Extension brand. You have nothing to lose by trying it.

Hello and thanks for your reply.
I am sorry to hear you have gone through such difficulty.
I am confused by the fact that is is a controlled drug.

[bombsh3ll]

I think you might have issues if you were a competitive athlete and had to disclose any medications or undergo doping tests but I have had no problems buying it online.

The police don't even come for burglaries, I doubt they will be knocking on my door anytime soon!

[Fizwhizz]

I was on DHEA which I obtained privately so with the consultation fee, other meds and tests etc it wasn’t a cheap option. It didn’t do anything for me but my understanding is that if other hormones are not optimal then the DHEA isn’t converted into testosterone. My sex hormones were never optimal because I had an undiagnosed under active thyroid which wasn’t being treated at the time. I’m now retrying HRT but my oestrogen and testosterone were both really low on my last results so I’m feeling very low and flat and just can’t be bothered with much including food and exercise so it’s a bit of a viscous circle.

My current GP who specialises in Thyroid and HRT hasn’t put me backwards on the DHEA as her opinion is sometimes we just need the actual hormones.

If you can try DHEA cheaply it might be worth a go? I’m currently trying to get a regime in place that helps. My thyroid is improved now but I’m still struggling with low mood, flatness, no motivation, detachment and a lot of dryness eyes, skin, ears etc and a few aches and pains! Oh the joys. I’m 55 currently but certainly don’t feel like it or look like it either!

Good luck in finding something that helps!

[Fizwhizz]

Just reread this. Apologies for the typos and I wasn’t being snarky with my good luck wishes. I genuinely hope you find something that helps.

[Dandelion]

I was on DHEA which I obtained privately so with the consultation fee, other meds and tests etc it wasn’t a cheap option. It didn’t do anything for me but my understanding is that if other hormones are not optimal then the DHEA isn’t converted into testosterone. My sex hormones were never optimal because I had an undiagnosed under active thyroid which wasn’t being treated at the time. I’m now retrying HRT but my oestrogen and testosterone were both really low on my last results so I’m feeling very low and flat and just can’t be bothered with much including food and exercise so it’s a bit of a viscous circle.

My current GP who specialises in Thyroid and HRT hasn’t put me backwards on the DHEA as her opinion is sometimes we just need the actual hormones.

If you can try DHEA cheaply it might be worth a go? I’m currently trying to get a regime in place that helps. My thyroid is improved now but I’m still struggling with low mood, flatness, no motivation, detachment and a lot of dryness eyes, skin, ears etc and a few aches and pains! Oh the joys. I’m 55 currently but certainly don’t feel like it or look like it either!

Good luck in finding something that helps!

Hello and thanks for your informative post.
I can relate to a lot how you feel.
I have since found out that DHEA can lead to thickened womb lining due to it's action on progesterone, and as I have bled in the past, I have decided to go the testosterone route, or get tested for it privately.
I know that is not cheap, but thankfully, I can afford an initial consultation, tests, prescriptions and fees,  and hopefully the NHS will take on the prescription costs. I think it's a good investment in a priority that is just not recognised by the NHS.
I really relate to how you feel, as anything requiring mental or physical effort just makes me feel drained thinking of it.
I am sick of not being able to be arsed with life as life is precious and I had hobbies and interests.
There's a video called "Testosterone | Dr Louise Newson" on YouTube, I won't link it in case it's against the rules, but this Dr might as well have been speaking to me, and I can see why she has been discredited, as I mentioned in another post that "The system" seems to use menopause, or untreated/inadequately treated menopause/peri as a weapon, I remember jumping through a few hoops to get hrt, and when I bled, one nhs doctor said "You either bleed or sweat" hmm 🤔

[Dandelion]

Just reread this. Apologies for the typos and I wasn’t being snarky with my good luck wishes. I genuinely hope you find something that helps.

I know you weren't being snarky, I took you to be well intentioned and am just sorry you are feeling similar to me.