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[kdee69]

I have gradually reduced my 2 pumps of oestrogel down to one pump and am taking desogesterol ever other day. My migraines are so bad that I am desperate to come off the progesterone.
Anyway I am coping well on just one pump. I've actually managed to shed the 3/4 stone I put on when I started the HRT. But I digress...
I also was applying one pea sized blob per day of Testogel. I sourced this myself. My doctor displayed zero interest when I discussed it and the Louise Newsons clinic had previously indicated they could supply on my next visit. As this is 250 miles away and the HRT combo was working, I didn't revisit and , after reading how someone had sourced it on here, I did the same.
I know this is far from ideal but I did it. Anyway... I've been on it maybe 6-8 months( can't remember) and it's worked like a treat! My sex drive was back to a healthy level. However, since I've dropped the oestrogel from two to one pump, I have noticed that my sex drive has diminished once again to flat.
Given I'm literally self dosing, I don't want to increase the testosterone amount if that's def not the thing to do. What I'm looking for is maybe to hear of women who have had a similar issue and what they did. I'd also like to know if this oestrogel reduction could be the cause of it too. Any comments would be helpful.

[Bobidy]

I would say gradually increase the oestrogen definately not the testosterone unless you can get regular blood tests. I'm on Androfemme via Dr Newson and this has worked very well for me at a pea sized amount but took maybe 6 months to kick in. I know it's expensive but mine lasts 4/5 months. It's worth the piece of mind as is formulated for women and easy to get a consistent dose x

[kdee69]

Hi. I really don't want to increase the oestrogel as I'm fine on only 1 pump. I was on two and had to have more progesterone ( which leads to the dreadful migraines -I've had lots of different types by the way so now want to come off it completely). I have no adverse physical symptoms on one pump at all - no flushes or any of the other awful ones when peri or a couple of years ago. So I'd much rather take the lowest dose possible that I can. When I was on two pumps ( actually at one point I was on three) I had zero sex drive. Only the testosterone gave it me.  Before anyone says, I DO know and understand all the benefits HRT gives , but this question is primarily about Testogel.

[Lanzalover]

Good morning kdee69

Sorry to hear of your problems.

My understanding (limited I admit) is that to feel the full benefits of testosterone you need high levels of oestrogen in your blood scheme which would seem to be correct reading about your reduction in oestrogen and the side effect.

It's such a pity that there aren't more choices for progesterone options as this is downside of taking HRT.

I am post menopause (early 60's) and to get round the progesterone issue now use it cyclically on a long a long cycle 6-8 weeks it means having a bleed but for me it's the method which works best for me.

I am currently using gel 2 -2half pumps per day,Provera long cycle and a small blob of testerone daily which works for me.

Hopefully someon with more knowledge than me will be along to help.

Lanzalover x

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will be along to offer more

[kdee69]

Good morning kdee69

Sorry to hear of your problems.

My understanding (limited I admit) is that to feel the full benefits of testosterone you need high levels of oestrogen in your blood scheme which would seem to be correct reading about your reduction in oestrogen and the side effect.

It's such a pity that there aren't more choices for progesterone options as this is downside of taking HRT.

I am post menopause (early 60's) and to get round the progesterone issue now use it cyclically on a long a long cycle 6-8 weeks it means having a bleed but for me it's the method which works best for me.

I am currently using gel 2 -2half pumps per day,Provera long cycle and a small blob of testerone daily which works for me.

Hopefully someon with more knowledge than me will be along to help.

Lanzalover x

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will be along to offer more

This really confirms what I'm feeling then. Or rather not feeling 
it's so frustrating. I feel so good on just one pump of Oestrogel. Any progesterone causes these god awful migraines so I do need to eventually stop the HRT. That's my aim in reducing it. At least on one pump I can get to every other day.
Thanks for the reply

[Hurdity]

Progesterone and some synthetic progestogens can have a depressive effect on libido so like Lanzalover says taking it cyclically would be the way to go. If you are only on one pump as she says you may be able to extend the cycle with OK from your doc so that you would only need to take the prog eg every 6-8 weeks and reap the benefits the rest of the time.

I agree that it is better to have a higher dose of oestrogen if you are taking any testosterone if you don't want to tip the balance and potentially risk a build up of androgenic side effcts?

Hurdity x