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[pepperminty]

Hi Pepperminty,
I agree, it’s a right tadoo!
Testosterone helped me very quickly with brain fog, forgetting words mid-sentence etc, I haven’t had it since I started.
As daft as this sounds I was aware of testosterone helping neutered dog’s with dry eye but I didn’t ever think about it helping us. I found out that my eyesight had improved only by going to remove my contact’s at bedtime when I hadn’t actually put them in that morning!

Nether regions - I don’t feel like ravaging the postman but I do have a libido again.

I still haven’t had blood tests as I’m peri, unless I show signs of looking (or sounding!) like Popeye I won’t stop taking T!

I haven’t had any negative symptoms like irritability etc.

Good luck with it.xx

Hi VictoriaV,

Thank you for the info. And I am glad your postman is Safe 

My only concerns are am I too young at mid fifties ? Most seem to start 60 ish .
And is my SHBG too high  to take it? I don't want lots of T floating around not getting to where it needs to be.
Also is my estrogen high enough as I take a lowish dose - although it is consistently around 300.

I am so glad it is working for you!


PMxx

[VictoryV]

Hi Pepperminty,

I’m really out of my depth with SHBG and blood results. I’ve been on the fence about taking tests because I don’t have a Menopause Specialist on board to interpret/ act on the results and because I *think* I’m in peri although I don’t seem to have fluctuations! I’ve taken the ‘go on symptoms’ approach so far with my NHS GP.
I did pay for a full hormone panel test and didn’t proceed
I started T at 49, I don’t know if age is a leading factor to be honest but I’ve definitely read posts from several ladies on here that are in their 50’s.

I feel settled on the testosterone, I just wish I could get the progesterone stable!

My GP didn’t explain much about T initially, I got some good research info from AMS, I think you posted the link that answered a lot of my doubts. If I didn’t thank you at the time I am now, thank you! If you don’t have the link I’ll find it.xx

[pepperminty]

Hi VictoriaV,

my meno brain! I do not remember posting a link! Yes please post it in this thread , if you can find it please. That would be great! x

 I am not sure of my levels either, but I figured that I may get a little pointer somewhere. And my high SHBG was it. I have managed to lower it a little. I was actually given T before covid by my NHS meno clinic , but I was too scared to take it! But I think in light of my latest results I may have to try.
There was no mention of testing, by them and I suspect that if I had taken it when  covid hit , if I had any problems I would have been left - as all support was put on hold ( menopause is not a priority  ) . My Gp said that I know more than he does, so that was not an option.

On an aside - my GP tried to put my estriol cream on hold until I made an appointment for a review! I informed the practice in writing that there was no sound clinical reason to withhold this medication, and if they did, they would be causing me harm. Next day they reinstated my access! What a waste of an appointment that would have been, especially as you have to wait 40 minutes to get through on the phone and then wait in all day for the GP to phone. ( rant over )

This forum is so good as usually someone will advise or empathise and pass on information.

Best wishes PMxx

[VictoryV]

Morning Pepperminty,

We read so much research that I find it difficult to remember where I’ve taken data from! In 9 months I’ve clocked up over 20 days of time on this forum alone searching archives for info which has helped me and my GP get the best results, it’s a terrific resource. This is the link that I shared with my surgery:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Bm7EbZK1c

Well done for challenging your GP about stopping treatment unnecessarily and ridiculously! More of us need to do this but I understand why many don’t.

I hope you don’t have to fight to get it prescribed, it’s a pity that the recognised benefits seem to be focussed on libido as so many women see huge life improvements around normal daily activities never mind career-wise. I know I would have had to retire at 49 without it.

Please let us know how you get on with it! Xx

[pepperminty]

Morning Pepperminty,

We read so much research that I find it difficult to remember where I’ve taken data from! In 9 months I’ve clocked up over 20 days of time on this forum alone searching archives for info which has helped me and my GP get the best results, it’s a terrific resource. This is the link that I shared with my surgery:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Bm7EbZK1c

Well done for challenging your GP about stopping treatment unnecessarily and ridiculously! More of us need to do this but I understand why many don’t.

I hope you don’t have to fight to get it prescribed, it’s a pity that the recognized benefits seem to be focused on libido as so many women see huge life improvements around normal daily activities never mind career-wise. I know I would have had to retire at 49 without it.

Please let us know how you get on with it! Xx

Hi , thanks I have had a quick look at it and will do so again in more depth. Interesting how they say that you do not actually need to take estrogen along side it- or was that in much younger women? - I did skim through.

Yes , I agree about it all focusing on libido- wonder why that is - no surprise there!
If they prescribed it before they should again.
The Australian lady GP did say that one should be tested regularly to check everything is ok.

I have had to go part time as I have no energy and my stamina has depleted. 
I wonder apart from regulating eye health - or at least part of it whether T moisturizes the skin a bit too . We forget that healthy skin is all over the body - not just the face and I wonder if T plays a part in collagen also? - just had a very quick look on internet and there is a link in there.

I will let you know how i get on.
Incidentally, when they gave it to me last time  ( I was too sacred to take it due to my high SHBG ) there was no follow up! And I suspect that they don't know what SHBG is! The meno nurse didn't. You could not make it up!

PMXX

 

[VictoryV]

Hi Pepperminty,
Yes, the bit about stand alone testosterone therapy got my attention too, I think it is helping breast cancer survivors with a med to stop it converting to estrogen. I’ve listened to a few webinars by the Australian GP and should make time to listen again as she has a lot of really good info from recent testosterone trials and hormones/women’s health etc.

I totally relate to going part time, I feel like I’ve held onto my career by the skin of my teeth. We should congratulate ourselves as many women are forced to retire, I came close to it.

I don’t know whether T helps skin but I do hope so!

I spoke to my GP this morning, I’m not sure whether the conversation qualifies as a review as such but neither of us plan to test my levels for the time being. She has taken a symptom only approach from the start and thankfully hasn’t suggested tests since before Christmas.

SHBG hasn’t ever been mentioned at my surgery either!

Good luck.xx

[pepperminty]

Hi VictoriaV ,

I will look out for the other webinars from that GP also. I do think  with the majority of doctors it is guess work and see how you go!
I am 90 % sure I will start T as my free T is so low, and as well as all the other symptoms my eyes are so dry now.

A pea sized blob every day I believe - although I will start with a very small Pea!
What us girls have to do to function

PMXX

[Postmeno3]

Now remember, PM, we have a "debate" going on on my thread about the size of the pea! Petit pois, garden pea (pod or frozen to be compared!) or marrowfat! 😂 Someone threw in cannellini bean having measured the actual dose from a pump. So, we need to take this whole pea thing extremely seriously 😂, but there's a part of me that thinks if we set the humorous side of it aside, it's a sad way of measuring something so important.

[Marchlove]

This lady is very well respected in the states according to Mr Savvas at the Studd clinic. I said to him why don’t you invite her over to speak at the BMS, to which he replied they would never allow it!

https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(13)00012-1/fulltext

[Gnatty]

I even bought some metal measuring spoons. It was hopeless as you couldn't squish it in properly and then the spoon was too small to get even your little finger in to push it out again. Also does anyone remember a thread a while back about a pharmacist who said that because the tube/ sachet is designed to be used all in one go by a MAN that the testosterone is not evenly dispersed throughout. So potentially one's pea will vary in strength from day to day! It's outrageous really....

[pepperminty]

I even bought some metal measuring spoons. It was hopeless as you couldn't squish it in properly and then the spoon was too small to get even your little finger in to push it out again. Also does anyone remember a thread a while back about a pharmacist who said that because the tube/ sachet is designed to be used all in one go by a MAN that the testosterone is not evenly dispersed throughout. So potentially one's pea will vary in strength from day to day! It's outrageous really....

Hi, nothing surprises me anymore- Perhaps one could squish it around a bit before squeezing out? I think I may try a surgical glove to get it on the leg area , but I don't think that you rub it in? We are second class citizens when it comes to being taken seriously, by the medical profession. It has been proven that men get taken more seriously and get better responses from GP's etc.
Lets face it, not that long ago the stereo type was wearing a pinny and cooking hubby dinner etc.

Does out rage produce testosterone? 

PMXX