Hello All,
I am on Sandrena gel, 4 mg per day (split am and pm) . My symptoms from Ovulation until Day 2 of my period are still not managed. I have many PMS symptoms (low mood
![Cry :'(](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/cry.gif)
, lower back pain, irritability) so I started to use the 4mg daily (from 10.3.22).. Is there a way to suppress ovulation through HRT?
2) Please see this factsheet.
https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/uploads/2022/02/What-is-reproductive-depressionfinal-with-links.pdf.
Here is an extract of what’s relevant in my case. It may be that I may need more estrogen. I do think Sandrena is helping me. I need to get it optimised.
Helping reproductive depression with HRT
The use of moderately high doses of transdermal estrogen (that taken through the skin in a patch, gel or spray) is often recommended to suppress ovulation in women with PMS, postnatal depression and depression in the perimenopause. Common doses for these types of depression would be 200mcg patches (twice weekly), or 4mg daily of estrogen gel. This approach often balances out the profoundly fluctuating estrogen levels to help stabilise your body’s reaction to the hormones and lessen symptoms.
3) How soon should I consider increasing the Estrogen again? I read somewhere ( Dr Nick Panay) that adding further estrogen can flood receptors so in some cases going over a certain amount doesn’t work? Is this true ?
4)Should I optimise my estrogen first, before starting the Androfemme? My understanding from listening to Dr Newson’s podcast is that if I don’t have sufficient estrogen, any Testesterone I apply will convert to estrogen. Is this correct?
5)My blood results for Testesterone, it showed 0.1, is this low?
6)What are the side effects of androfemme?
7) Should I apply androfemme in the morning and how long does it take to dry?
I’m worried it will rub off or be removed with clothing. How soon after can I have a shower or is it better to wait?
![Cool 8)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/cool.gif)
As I am taking 4mg Sandrena, do I have to increase the vaginal progesterone? I am currently taking 100mg vaginally for 12 days ( Days 15 -26).
Thank you so much
Angela xx