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[margherita]

Ladies, I have just been given testogel sachets by very nice but clueless (in hrt) gp who has given me script but zero instructions.
I'm 52, have been on estrogel and utrogestan for 1.5 years (initially 2 pumps, recently up to 3 and utrogestan 100mg vaginally x 7 days a month, a la Studd).
I must be peri rather than menopausal as since switching to vaginal application of utro my periods are in full swing.
Questions are:
what's the lowest dose I should start with - I've read a few threads that mention pea size amounts but I know there are different testosterone products so I need to be sure to dose correctly for this sachet format.
Also some people seem to take it not every day but 3 times a week?
Re placement, I put estrogel on shoulders/upper arms - is it ok to put testo on lower arm and to take them at the same time.
Finally, can I start taking it straight away bearing in mind that I'm in the middle of my (dreaded) utrogestan week.
Many thanks and if there are threads that answer this already I'm happy to be directed to them

[Turkish delight]

 

Hia!

I took my Testogel in a small pea size blob from a pump bottle though.
I took it daily and put it on my inner knee area, like if you knock them together, in that space.

Nothing happened at all until 5 months of taking it, nothing whatsoever so don't think it will matter starting it in Utro phase.
I think after the 5 or 6 month mark you can see how your reacting to it and then address the dose again.

Good luck and don't be a scaredy-cat like I was. You really won't see any change for months, so patience is the name of the Teso game!

TD

[kdee69]

Hia!

I took my Testogel in a small pea size blob from a pump bottle though.
I took it daily and put it on my inner knee area, like if you knock them together, in that space.

Nothing happened at all until 5 months of taking it, nothing whatsoever so don't think it will matter starting it in Utro phase.
I think after the 5 or 6 month mark you can see how your reacting to it and then address the dose again.

Good luck and don't be a scaredy-cat like I was. You really won't see any change for months, so patience is the name of the Teso game!

TD

Completely agree with patience is the name of the game. For me the desire crept up on me and it's definitely not the “like rabbits” drive of being in my twenties again but it's as good as it was post kids and in my 40's and it's great to feel any sort of desire back again

[Turkish delight]

"Hell yea" is the answer to the question about whether there is a thread!
Get your reading specs on!

Link under here

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27959.msg718857.html#msg718857

TD

[Joaniepat]

Testogel sachets: 1 sachet to last 10-14 days. That is about a pea sized blob daily. Difficult to judge at first but you will get the hang of it. As to application site, I use inner thigh, rubbing it in a bit. I have had no problems with hirsuteness (is that a word?). You can apply whenever convenient.

JP x

[margherita]

Thanks for the replies ladies. TD - a scaredy cat is exactly what I am at the moment but I'll try not to be!  and will read linked thread, thanks.

In her general vagueness, I thought the gp said a sachet should last a week so am wondering about the 10-14 days Joanie as I would rather start low.
Kdee - re desire, that would be a bonus but my main motivation for taking test is ZERO energy and decimated cognitive function.

[Turkish delight]

It does what it says on the tin

Increased energy... tick
Improved cognisance....tick
Lessened brain fog....tick
Lessened muscle aches...tick
Increased amourous'ness(made up that word bcz I don't like libedo).....tick

This is a highly scientific answer you do understand, based on studies done solely of....just me...wink!

TD

[Yorkshire Girl]

Thanks for the replies ladies. TD - a scaredy cat is exactly what I am at the moment but I'll try not to be!  and will read linked thread, thanks.

In her general vagueness, I thought the gp said a sachet should last a week so am wondering about the 10-14 days Joanie as I would rather start low.
Kdee - re desire, that would be a bonus but my main motivation for taking test is ZERO energy and decimated cognitive function.

I'm on testogel & I was told one sachet a week and only using it 2-3 times a week, pea size blob, doing this it lasted a month! Now I'm using it every other day but sachet still lasts 14+ days. I put it on my tummy.

[Joaniepat]

The 10-14 days is what I was told at the Chelsea & Westminster meno clinic, and was also told to aim for 14 days as near as possible. Perhaps it was because of my age (67 at the time), I don't know. It's all a bit bucket and shovel with a product not formulated for women.

JP x
 

[Hurdity]

Hi there margherita - here is another link to a thread which talks about dosage etc - I've bumped it for you too but it will drop down the page pretty quickly ( maybe not at the weekend!).

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,39588.0.html

For me - 1 % gel - sachets/tubes last about a fortnight, pea-sized blob applied daily to inner inside of knee ( bottom of thigh). Yes I'm more hairy but I shave it off just have to go a bit higher than just lower legs. Small price to pay....personally I wouldn't put any gels on my upper arms anyway

Different topic but 7 days Utrogestan per month may not be sufficient to keep your lining thin - although if you are having natural periods monthly then you will be producing your own progesterone and depends on how well you absorb the gel. Simething to keep an eye on and I presume your doc is OK with this and aware of the need to be vigilant re any unexpected or heavy bleeding?

Hurdity x

[margherita]

Thanks again - Joanie yes I see the dose you mention seems the more commonly advised one.
Hurdity, many thanks for the link which I see really breaks down the dosing of the different products.

Re Utrogestan, I know this is far from ideal but I pretty much self medicated the 7 day regime based on the fact that I feel terrible on progesterone and I know that some specialists say this is enough.
I did tell my doctor I was going to take much less than the official 200mg x 12 days but as I say she is very laisser faire and by her own admision knows almost nothing about HRT (despite clearly being of a similar age to me  )
I a 52 and when I started HRT 1.5 years ago, my periods were regular-ish (but getting heavier and longer), they then stopped completely on the HRT for over a year and for the last 3 months have suddenly come back with a vengeance, v long, v heavy.
I told GP about this yesterday when she gave me the testosterone script and she said nothing...
have no idea why they came back - only thing I can think of is a couple of months ago I switched to "internal" application of utrogestan

[Hurdity]

OK - do keep an eye on the bleeds though. Yes v route of Utro is more efficient so you could have built up lining wheil taking it orally for only 7 days per month. From other women's posts on here Studd seems to be prescribing 10 days more now rather than 7 days. There were reports of instances of endometrial thickening on 7 days ( on here) which is not surprising. If youre GP is laissez faire and knows little about hRT then do tell her that if you are taking a reduced regime then ideally you should have a U/S scan ( ideally annually) to check the womb lining. You could tell her about the long heavy bleeds if they persisit and push for a scan. If you do have one then it should be immediately following your bleed. However if you are still peri nad ovulating regularly then it could be hard to say re the thickness and the exact point in the cycle but still worth having one!

Good luck with the T gel!

Hurdity x

[Joaniepat]

Hi Margherita

I've beem on Testosterone for almost 4 years with good results (increased energy, less aches and pains, increased cognitive functioning, good sexual response and excellent O) libido isn't back to how it was prior to peri menopause.. all of the above was zilch!

Initially I used pea sized blob daily inner thigh made a sachet last 10-14 days. My most recent out pt appointment my private Consultant prescribed an increase in the dose,  so a sachet lasts 7 days. I've seen a definite difference to sexual response and the O. I also thing energy levels. I've had no side effects to the increase.
Hope this helps

Rockhopper xx

Hi Rockhopper,

That's interesting; do you mind if I ask why your consultant prescribed the increased dose? Was it not working as well as it used to?

JP x

[Joaniepat]

Thanks Rockhopper, glad it's working and long may it continue.
JP x

[margherita]

Thanks for your input Rockhopper - your testimony is encouraging!
And thanks again Hurdity - I will definitely add a couple more days of utrogestan though hopefully internal application has increased absoprtion as you suggest.  I will also ask for a scan.