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[Tracy Allgonewrong]

Hello,
I have an appointment for potentially be prescribed testosterone in combination with my HRT. Does anyone know if the possible side-effects are reversible if you stop taking it? (Side effects mentioned for testosterone are increased body hair, thinning of hair, acne, lowering of the voice, enlarged clitoris, etc).
I just want to make an informed decision on the risks and there is nothing out there mentioning what happens if you stop taking it.
Thank you xx

[CLKD]

Ask the question at your appt., then let us know?  Why do you think that you require testosterone?

[pepperminty]

Hello,
I have an appointment for potentially be prescribed testosterone in combination with my HRT. Does anyone know if the possible side-effects are reversible if you stop taking it? (Side effects mentioned for testosterone are increased body hair, thinning of hair, acne, lowering of the voice, enlarged clitoris, etc).
I just want to make an informed decision on the risks and there is nothing out there mentioning what happens if you stop taking it.
Thank you xx

Hi put Testosterone here we go in the search box - there is a thread. Also look up loiuse Newson and testosterone advice on google. 

PMX

[Katherine]

Hi, It is possible that your voice may deepen slightly, and this is not reversible if you stop taking it. Another possible side effect is hair growth at the site of application, I'm not sure if this stops if you cease use or not. However I have never heard of a woman on here complaining of their voice deepening, I've mainly heard positive stories about testosterone. I hope that helps. x

[Jodie]

Hi
I take testosterone as part of my HRT prescribed via Dr Newsons clinic.

Absolutely no on going side effects at all and it's been a game changer for me. I do only take less than half the dose and it's more than enough. I also organised a blood test a few months in to check my levels.

I think the key is to ensure your levels remain within the normal range and your estrogen to testosterone ratios are right. The same as with any hrt I guess, tweaking, checking and listening to your body.

Good luck! X



 

[Losingtheplot]

Hi

Thats great news that testosterone helped you.

Can I ask did taking testosterone help with anxiety and libido obv providing you had these symtoms. I am waiting for a meno specialist appointment and the HRT I am on seems to be helping with flushes and brain fog.

[Kathleen]

Hello Tracyallgonewrong and welcome to the forum. Love the name by the way!

I used Androfeme which is a testosterone prescribed by Newson Health clinic. I think I used it for about nine months and I had to measure out the prescribed amount of cream in a syringe and apply it to my inner thigh.
I noticed some change in libido but not very much and looking back I think I had more energy but I was also more aggressive. These  things are hard to quantify given that my Oestrogen levels were also changing. The one thing I am certain of however is that Androfeme caused hair growth on the application site. I haven't used this product for a while and I haven't really missed it but the extra hair growth did resolve and over a few weeks all the extra growth disappeared.

I hope this helps you in some way and take care.

K.

[Tracy Allgonewrong]

Ask the question at your appt., then let us know?  Why do you think that you require testosterone?

I'm on Sandrena (Oestrogen), Utrogestan (Progesterone), and Melatonin to sleep and this cocktail has helped with many things except libido (0%), fatigue and now a crushing low mood. I cry at all times, my anxiety is over the neighbour's roof and I don't seem to be able to work. I have friends taking either Testosterone or DHEA and they're very happy, energetic and focused. So I just want to try.

[Jodie]

Hi

Thats great news that testosterone helped you.

Can I ask did taking testosterone help with anxiety and libido obv providing you had these symtoms. I am waiting for a meno specialist appointment and the HRT I am on seems to be helping with flushes and brain fog.

Hi

The testosterone definitely helped with libido and tbh the full dose was too much help  so I did reduce it by over half as it was a bit too intense.

I really suffered with anxiety before going on HRT but I would say it was getting my estrogen levels right that has helped the most with anxiety specifically . Once I was settled with the Mirena coil and found my sweet spot of 1.5g Sandrena the anxiety stopped. I began with 1g Sandrena and although it helped hugely to stabilise my symptoms I was still a bit teary. Upping by another .5g made all the difference.

How much Sandrena do you take?

 I was left though with little energy / motivation / mojo / libido so went for the testosterone which has really restored my energy and mojo. My original blood test showed ok levels of testosterone but very low 'free' levels (based on the free androgen index) which was why I was feeling so tired. I am cautious of it though and really only want to take the minimal amount possible which is quite a bit less than prescribed.. I also take a regular blood test to make sure the level remains well within the normal range.

It's a very individual balancing act but I think if you keep trying and adjusting and seeking support from your Dr or a private provider if that's what you're doing, you'll get there x

[Losingtheplot]

Hi

Thats great news that testosterone helped you.

Can I ask did taking testosterone help with anxiety and libido obv providing you had these symtoms. I am waiting for a meno specialist appointment and the HRT I am on seems to be helping with flushes and brain fog.

Hi

The testosterone definitely helped with libido and tbh the full dose was too much help  so I did reduce it by over half as it was a bit too intense.

I really suffered with anxiety before going on HRT but I would say it was getting my estrogen levels right that has helped the most with anxiety specifically . Once I was settled with the Mirena coil and found my sweet spot of 1.5g Sandrena the anxiety stopped. I began with 1g Sandrena and although it helped hugely to stabilise my symptoms I was still a bit teary. Upping by another .5g made all the difference.

How much Sandrena do you take?

 I was left though with little energy / motivation / mojo / libido so went for the testosterone which has really restored my energy and mojo. My original blood test showed ok levels of testosterone but very low 'free' levels (based on the free androgen index) which was why I was feeling so tired. I am cautious of it though and really only want to take the minimal amount possible which is quite a bit less than prescribed.. I also take a regular blood test to make sure the level remains well within the normal range.

It's a very individual balancing act but I think if you keep trying and adjusting and seeking support from your Dr or a private provider if that's what you're doing, you'll get there x

Hi hunni
I am on 0.5mg of Sandrena gel only 1 month in and do get very teary, lack of motivation, bad anxiety which was on an early morning not as bad as before but still there. I am on a waiting list to see a meno specialist wish appointment would hurry up as I feel like the anxiety is wearing me down. I have an appointment with GP on wed not sure if she will look to increase the gel or tell me to ride out another 2 months. Pleased things have stabilised for you xxx

[Jodie]

Hi

Thats great news that testosterone helped you.

Can I ask did taking testosterone help with anxiety and libido obv providing you had these symtoms. I am waiting for a meno specialist appointment and the HRT I am on seems to be helping with flushes and brain fog.

Hi

The testosterone definitely helped with libido and tbh the full dose was too much help  so I did reduce it by over half as it was a bit too intense.

I really suffered with anxiety before going on HRT but I would say it was getting my estrogen levels right that has helped the most with anxiety specifically . Once I was settled with the Mirena coil and found my sweet spot of 1.5g Sandrena the anxiety stopped. I began with 1g Sandrena and although it helped hugely to stabilise my symptoms I was still a bit teary. Upping by another .5g made all the difference.

How much Sandrena do you take?

 I was left though with little energy / motivation / mojo / libido so went for the testosterone which has really restored my energy and mojo. My original blood test showed ok levels of testosterone but very low 'free' levels (based on the free androgen index) which was why I was feeling so tired. I am cautious of it though and really only want to take the minimal amount possible which is quite a bit less than prescribed.. I also take a regular blood test to make sure the level remains well within the normal range.

It's a very individual balancing act but I think if you keep trying and adjusting and seeking support from your Dr or a private provider if that's what you're doing, you'll get there x

Hi hunni
I am on 0.5mg of Sandrena gel only 1 month in and do get very teary, lack of motivation, bad anxiety which was on an early morning not as bad as before but still there. I am on a waiting list to see a meno specialist wish appointment would hurry up as I feel like the anxiety is wearing me down. I have an appointment with GP on wed not sure if she will look to increase the gel or tell me to ride out another 2 months. Pleased things have stabilised for you xxx

Hi
I would give your estrogen a chance and get that working for you first before considering testosterone. You may find with the right level of estrogen you don't need testosterone at all. I think they like your estrogen levels to be optimised first anyway so there is not an imbalance. You'll get there xx

[Perinowpost]

Hi

I take testim testosterone gel petit blob 3 x a week. It took 6/7 week to notice it working. It’s helped response but not libido for me, and I also found it helped my confidence which had nose dived at menopause.

Re side effects I have had no hair growth at the site of application. However, recently I feel my hair is thinning at the front. I discontinued the gel for a couple of weeks and immediately noticed libido and confidence waning (I have been on it since 2016) so now I am back on it and trialling hair supplements and hair serum. Hope this helps x

[Tracy Allgonewrong]

Thank you for all responses.
Jodie, currently I take 1mg Sandrena.
I now have been prescribed Testosterone 1 pump twice a week and had an oestradiol blood test which shows below 100pmol/L.

Also consultant confirmed hair growth in application area is reversible when  stopped. However, voice changes and others are not so advice is to stop if ever notice my voice changing. Hope this information is valuable to everyone.

[Catcc]

Hi.  Hope you feel good on testosterone.  I've been on androfeme for 2 years.  The last 9 months on double the starting dose as I was told I wasn't absorbing well.  My T levels were ok but my SHBG was sky high. So free testosterone still quite low at 1.9.  Testosterone has helped with libido, and has helped enormously with ability to go back to the gym and exercise, tone up etc.  However last year I started to get dark hairs on upper lip.  I'm very fair skinned.  The doctor still encouraged me to stay on higher dose.  But I'm regretting that now.  I'm not happy with these hairs and I also think my hair is thinning at temples.  I don't want to stop T but have reduced it dramatically.  I am so hoping the hairs go away.  So, I think T is great but exercise caution and go with your gut feeling rather than the blood tests. X

[sheila99]

Also consultant confirmed hair growth in application area is reversible when  stopped.

I'm not totally convinced that's true. It's 2 years since I stopped putting it on my thigh and although the hairs are not as black and as thick as they were I can still see a difference. I put it on my instep now where it seems to work just as well and avoids the problem. I had no other side effects but did have improved libido, muscle tone and motivation.