I am surprised at the comments about deep voices and hairy chests still being made about testosterone (even though they are intended to be humorous) - considering how many women take it and how much has been said about it. Men have oestrogen and progesterone too - we just have more oestrogen ( and progesterone when menstruating/pregnant) and they have more testosterone. Thoise views are very old-fashioned now and the reason many GPs I imagine were and probably still are reluctant to prescribe it - they need educating!! The NICE guidelines make provision for it to be prescribed off licence.
At physiological appropriate doses there should be no side effects whatsoever. OK replacing it externally isn't going to quite replicate our own endogenous testosterone but should help. Anyone who gets side effects - the dose is too high. I can now sing higher than I used to when younger
, and the only hairs are at/near the application site (small patch on inner thighs) where the concentration is higher and which I was warned about - a minor problem. Definitely not aggressive
. Had more feelings like that when my own proper hormones were circulating.
Moonbeam - propanolol aside if it were me I would reduce oestrogen slowly at the very most reducing by 25 mcg at a time for say a couple of weeks at least. You want to give your body time to adjust and I am surprised the GP suggested it - so going down to 175mcg and then to 150mcg etc. If you can't get to a menopause clinic then perhaps e-mail Dr Currie for £25 and ask her view (on the reduction) if you don't want to go against what your doc says - and if she says OK then maybe go ahead. If so do be prepared for a resumption of symptoms.
I realise this isn't about propanolol but you mentioned about the patch - and also not sure if anyone on here has taken it just for headaches but sounds like mainly for menopausal palpitations/anxiety - because it (prop) affects the heart.
Anyway hope you manage to sort something out and finally get rid of those dreadful headaches!
Hurdity x