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[Hurdity]

I haven't noticed feeling moody - but then I'm not a moody type  . If you are only using a pea-sized blob I doubt it would affect you like this especially as you are taking a high dose of oestrogen (I presume you are still). I suppose theoretically one could become more aggressive with high doses but the amount women use is miniscule and should only be restoring what you are lacking. Dr Annie Evans said it can take 4-5 months to fully take effect so I would hang in there. I did notice a beneficial effect on sexual response fairly early on though  .

Hurdity x

[Rose B]

I was told to apply it on inner thighs or abdomen or pubic hair area and morning or evening, whichever was more convenient.   I used it for 3 months and dint get ant hair growth.  Sadly no obvious change in libido, but def felt more argumentative.  Looking for a fight with OH at any opportunity   I have been taken off it for now as my oestrogen levels apparently too low. Have had dosage increased with restart on testim gel in 8 weeks time.

[Hurdity]

Hi Rose B  - I'm interested in what you say about oestrogen levels and testosterone. Do you have more info?

It was my own feeling that since oestrogen levels decline more quickly relative to testosterone after menopause, then if oestrogen levels were quite low (from HRT) adding testosterone might lead to a bit of an imbalance and perhaps more androgenic side effects - and less of a beneficial effect on the heart (which you get from oestrogen). I have noticed that women are recommended varying doses of T and I wonder how much our oestrogen levels - or at least the dosage - is taken into account. I have no idea what my oestrogen levels are but they were 200 + when last measured which is fine - but since adding a pea-sized blob of T I wondered if I should increase my oestrogen dose (which I have by 12.5 mcg through judicious snipping) but I am loath to do too much as I'm 63 and probably not wise to go too high at this point. I've never had my T levels measured but of course I know it's working because of the decrease in muscle pain after exercise, and increase in sexual response. In fact I've never had anything prescribe on the basis of hormone levels and mostly this isn't done except under particular circumstances of individual women.

Hurdity x

[Rose B]

Hi Hurdity

Sorry for slow response.  My info on oestrogen and testosterone is just what my consultant told me. I did google it at the time and found relevant info, which I now can't find, of course!! 

Have found this though, which I think is interesting;

https://www.menopause.org.au/images/stories/infosheets/docs/AMS_Sexual_difficulties_in_the_menopause_2016.pdf

Based on personal experience, reckon my consultant is right since, 6 weeks into increased dosage of oestrogen, I am starting to feel more interested in sex with some improvement in response Fingers crossed it will last. I am to have oestradiol retested in 2 weeks time, then restart the testim gel with consultant review at beg Dec.  Maybe I'll be all sorted in time for Xmas!!

Re hormone levels - I have also been told that hormone levels are only usually tested if there is some doubt about whether the HRT is being effective.

Re high dosage - I am 58 and have been told by endocrinologist who specialises in cardiovascular and HRT, that the risk of high dosage (i.e.200mcg+) is only to women starting on this dose in their late sixties/ early seventies.  I think this relates to heart risk and am aware that there has been recent research highlighting increased risk of breast cancer.  I think if it was me, if its working I'd be loathe to change anything.

I think I have been lucky in having better access to information from well informed professionals than most women do,  because I started HRT via a clinical trial.

Rose B x

[Hurdity]

Thanks for that Rose B - very interesting and a different approach in Australia including a specific formulation for women. I do wonder though if the levels of oestrogen required to stimulate libido and sexual response would be too high to sustain permanently ( they are very high around ovulation only) - hence the use of testosterone. There is also the independent effect of lack of T on muscle function and tiredness/energy etc which was not discussed.

Clearly a lot more research is needed on this important hormone in women but sadly I doubt whether it would be carried out. I wonder how many of the conditions that many women from middle age onwards are diagnosed with - fibromyalgia, ME, CFS etc are actually partly due to Testosterone decline, and possibly also oestrogen deficiency (in addition to underactive thyroid which is well documented). It is criminal that in the 21st century so many women are condemned to years of pain and misery due to lack of information and full hormonal testing and monitoring.

I digress....!

Hurdity x