Hi everyone. I've been absent for a while, but I'm back for some input/help/comments.... I was using the Vivelle Dot patch for about 2 years, but I got to the point where I was feeling so lethargic, no spunk, no desire, just generally blah. (Did I mention no desire?) Anyway, my doctor decided to switch my prescription the other day and wants me to try some testosterone to see if I feel better. He gave me a free sample of Estratest H.S. Is anybody familiar with this? Has anybody used it? Good? Bad? I need some input. I'm a little nervous to try something new, but it would be nice to have some kind of sexual feeling/desire again. I know it's early, but I have noticed that I have a little more energy the past 2 days. I don't know if it's from the Estratest or not.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Cindy

I have been on HRT for the past 3 1/2 years since my hysterectomy. I was first prescribed Cenestrin which didn't seem to help me at all with any of my "surgically induced post menopausal" symptoms (i.e. hot flashes, mood swings, desire, etc). My doctor than switched me to Estratest H.S. and it took a bit of time, but what a difference it made with all my symptoms and I was feeling pretty good. I was taking Estratest from Jan '05 until this past Oct '07 but because I was starting to have some minor symptoms again, my doctor thought it was time for a change and had me start taking Enjuvia. The Enjuvia didn't do anything for me and my symptoms started to get worse. He then switched me to Cenestrin again. From Oct '07 until March '08, I felt horrible. My hot flashes got worse, I felt lethargic all the time, depressed, you name it, I felt it. Finally, in March '08, he decided to put me back on Estratest H.S. Knock on wood, within two - three weeks, my hot flashes subsided, I wasn't as emotional, and I started to get my energy back. My "desire" has also started to finally coming back.

So long story short, I wish I had never stopped taking the Estratest H.S. in the first place. The months I was off it were terrible for me. I still have an occasional symptom here and there on the Estratest H.S., but not as severe as when I was on the Enjuvia or Cenestrin. From my experience, I don't think I would change from it again. Hopefully it will just continue to work.

I have spent the last day or so reading a lot of posts on the Estratest. If you search Estratest on here you will find them. I haven't taken any hormones as yet and have been suffering with no desire, mood issues and terrible backaches for the last 3 years. I had my hormones checked twice any my numbers were in the post menopausal range, but I still get a period every 2 to 3 months, so go figure. Anyway, I'm thinking at my appointment next week I'm going to ask for an RX for bios and I want to try some testosterone. So I started searching on here. If you read Dr.Warner's links on testosterone he doesn't believe in the Estratest or the Prempro, and others. He says those are fake hormones b/c they don't have the same molecular structure as the bios that are created from plants.

I'm still afraid of heart attack, stroke, etc. and also I lost 40lbs and am struggling with the last 10 and I read a lot of women gain weight on the hormones. But I may try for a month or so and see. I was thinking of trying Estratest, but now I'm thinking of using the bio for all three instead.

If you use it keep us posted on how it's working for you.

I did try the Estratest for a week, but went off of it because it made me feel edgy and very irritable, plus I gained 5 pounds in that week! That was enough for me. I went off of it and back on the Vivelle Dot. I'll just deal with having no desire for now. It's so hard finding something that works. Maybe there is nothing? Very frustrating...

I am interested in hearing about Estratest also. My doctor just prescribed it today along with 1/2 cc (20mgs) Progesterone cream. From what I have seen on these message boards there are not many women who have good results with it.

I would welcome any suggestions or comments!

k