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[SarahT]

I know there was a thread on here recently about preparing for an appt to request testosterone, can't track it down. I am making an appt with my gp who is licensed to prescribe testosterone to women. When so have spoke to her about this previously when discussing my hrt regime she said my levels were in range.
But, when I accessed my results myself, it was only 0.2.  Not only has my libido crashed ( along with my oestrogen level, from near 700 to under 300 in just 6 months and on a 125 patch) my brain fog is worse, I have extreme fatigue,muscle.weakness ( can't even lift a cup at times) and joint pain.

Am I wrong to ask for a trial on testosterone given my symptoms?

[Banjo1973]

Hi SarahT,

My experience getting testosterone prescribed is as follows...

I had to see the meno specialist that took months, she initially made me up my oestrogel from 1 / 1.5 pumps to 3 pumps. I did feel better but didn't improve my extinct sex drive!

Before prescribing testosterone she ordered blood tests with my GP. My level was 0.6 and GP said it was fine.

They didn't send my results to the specialist, luckily I emailed them to her and as soon as she received them she phoned me and said they were low and prescribed me test

She wasn't keen to prescribe it but I kept on telling her I didn't want my relationship to suffer, and no lube was going to fix my lack of desire!!!

Anyway, been on testosterone for almost a year. I love it. More confidence, energy, strength, sharpness. My sex drive is still asleep... but better than before.

My meno specialist would only prescribe for lack sex drive if you've explored all other options. So if you want to try testosterone, from my experience say you've exhausted all other options and you don't want your relationship to suffer.

Good luck x

[SarahT]

Thank you so much Banjo,

I have been increasing my oestrogen from beginning at 50 and just over a year later into 125 patch. My libido has in no way got better, definitely worse.
The fact that my oestrogen levels have dropped significantly doesn't help I am sure. And the testosterone of 0.2 seems so very low. So it appears I have tried the higher oestrogen route which has had no impact on my libido- or brain fog.

But you have reinforced what I think I read on previous threads that a gp will not consider any reason other than low libido. And in all honestly I want my sex life. So your advice to show the impact on your own  relationship has given me a way to arm myself when I speak with my gp. Valuable advice.

[Banjo1973]

My advice is be insistant.

Keep saying how you've tried lots to help (diet, exercise sleep) you are not depressed. You have a great relationship with your partner and you want to enjoy a 'full' relationship like you use to. And that you feel too young to give up on a satisfying sex life.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm giving unwanted advice, but I found I had to really labour the point as my meno specialist was keen to keep on suggesting a million alternatives to T.

Oh, I didn't say... although my sex drive is still very limited, my enjoyment of sex has much improved!

Good luck x

[SarahT]

Let's face it most women struggling with their hormones have learned to be insistent, so I totally get what you are saying.  I'm 57 so not as young as some on here but our sex life is important to our relationship and I am not going to let it something a fight, and none of us should it that's what we need.
When I went on an anti anxiety med, I asked on here for advice for what one has little.or no impact on libido ( I know most can have that side effect) so I was already trying to work on my better options, as my gp will know. So I think that will help too. Jeez, why do we all seem to have to fight so much?

It may take me some one to get an appt with this specific gp who is licensed to prescribe testosterone, but I will let you know how I get on. Thanks

[Banjo1973]

You sound like a kick ass woman so hopefully you'll get some T to try.

keep me posted and best of luck x

[sheila99]

I thought if you weren't on testosterone your levels were so low the test wasn't accurate? I'm fairly sure Hurdity posted something about it. I had muscle weakness too and this is the main reason I wanted it, I kept pulling muscles for no reason. Libido was zero. They will only prescribe for low libido though so you need to stress this. As I understand it if you have insufficient oestrogen testosterone is converted to some androgen derivative so they may want to do something about that first. For me joint pain was oestrogen deficiency. Muscle weakness, libido and motivation were testosterone. Is there any chance she'd prescribe more oestrogen too given the low levels?

[CLKD]

Hurdity has been charting her testosterone journey.  I've bounced the thread.

[SarahT]

Thank you CKLD, I knew there was an intensive thread on Testosterone somewhere, I shall make all notes.

And Sheila, thank you too. I will be asking my GP about the drop in oestrogen and it's affects too. since Nov 22 I was on a 50 patch on and oestrogen  levels were close to 700,roll onto June  23, patch upped to 125 and levels were under 300. I knowing Peri levels fluctuate and as we get older ( am 57) levels will drop but these seem a large difference.
Gp said levels were fine, and testosterone was too. Indicated she would not up hrt and wasn't hopeful at that time about adding testosterone either.

My peri symptoms have actually  got better, notably night sweats, moods and anxiety. But joint pain and muscle weakness as well as exhaustion have got worse this year so I need to fix this. Am not certain all of theses are from ME. So am going to push regarding this.

Thanks all

[Bindi]

Hi ladies
Ive been married 43 yrs im 60 nearly 5 yrs post meno ive struggled but my bigest one was no libdo..i seen my guyno asked about sex drive do you know wat she said to me..do you love him..
Me yes
Gd give him a big pash if the love is there still the rest will come without medical intervention..and she was right..i know its not for everyone but natural is worth a shot yer..especially when ya both still love each other..my opinioun..gd luck ladies