Hi ladies,
I've been using a 2.5mg testosterone cream for 2 months now and I don't notice a big difference at all. My testosterone free level was -0.2 and my total testosterone 18 so my doctor said to rub it on twice a day. Well I have done that and haven't notice much difference so now I'm just using it once a day as I am about to run out of it soon. I also have been rubbing on Estrogel .75mg once a day in the morning. I took Prometrium 200mg for 14 days and now 4 days after that I still don't have a period (it's been 3 months since my last one).
The only difference I notice with it so it far is I don't have the disgusted feelings I used to have when thinking about men, etc. I used to feel like a pre-teen (eew, who wants that, etc.) But I still don't have that drive to get it it going if you know what I mean. Sometimes I think maybe if I had a new partner?? But I know I don't want to go that route after all these years, but I just don't feel that zip.
No acne, no low voice, no aggressiveness, etc. I think the estrogen has helped me to be less irritable and depressed, but I don't think the testosterone is giving me any boosts in energy or zip in libido at all.
I thought 5 mg was high to take and yet when I've used it for a several days at 5mg dose I didn't feel much different.
Anyone else have this happen. What doses are you taking and also what were your testosterone levels before you took the cream? Maybe I'm so low I need a higher dose??
Full Version: Testosterone cream
Hi Corky,
I'm taking a double dose of 0.5 testosterone cream giving me a 1.0 dose. I just had my doctor increase it to .75. Like you, I don't have any acne, low voice or aggression nor am I tearing up the sheets in bed. I had asked the doctor to increase the dose to 1.0 so that I didn't have to double it but she was hesitant to do so since my blood showed levels of midrange. (I've forgotten the numbers). However.. I do think the dose I have gives me energy for the day..
I'm also taking a double dose of .75 estrodial cream giving me a 1.5 and I've asked her to increase my dose of that to 1.5 so that I don't have to double it. She'll do that as my blood levels show my estrodial very low.
I take .45 of progesterone cream each night too. I don't cycle as I find the progesterone helps me to sleep and it seems to help me stay balanced on a daily basis. I'm 49 and post so I don't worry about menses anymore.
Overall, I feel good. Not great... I have my 3pm lows and I don't have near the energy I had 10 years ago. I miss it. I miss having the energy to stay on top of things and I'm not staying on top of things these days. I'm getting through the day.. but that's about it. My house is picked up but it's not clean. There is dust everywhere and clutter is stuffed in the closets. I don't even have the desire or energy to go shopping so my clothes look faded and worn and my shoes look scuffed.. I need to go on a shopping spree yet I can't muster up the enthusiasm to go. I need to find time to have lunch with friends yet I don't want to see them either... all I really want to do is ..sit. And then sit some more. Pathetic.
Ok.. so maybe testosterone isn't helping me either.
Maybe someone else will have a solution for both of us.
I'm taking a double dose of 0.5 testosterone cream giving me a 1.0 dose. I just had my doctor increase it to .75. Like you, I don't have any acne, low voice or aggression nor am I tearing up the sheets in bed. I had asked the doctor to increase the dose to 1.0 so that I didn't have to double it but she was hesitant to do so since my blood showed levels of midrange. (I've forgotten the numbers). However.. I do think the dose I have gives me energy for the day..
I'm also taking a double dose of .75 estrodial cream giving me a 1.5 and I've asked her to increase my dose of that to 1.5 so that I don't have to double it. She'll do that as my blood levels show my estrodial very low.
I take .45 of progesterone cream each night too. I don't cycle as I find the progesterone helps me to sleep and it seems to help me stay balanced on a daily basis. I'm 49 and post so I don't worry about menses anymore.
Overall, I feel good. Not great... I have my 3pm lows and I don't have near the energy I had 10 years ago. I miss it. I miss having the energy to stay on top of things and I'm not staying on top of things these days. I'm getting through the day.. but that's about it. My house is picked up but it's not clean. There is dust everywhere and clutter is stuffed in the closets. I don't even have the desire or energy to go shopping so my clothes look faded and worn and my shoes look scuffed.. I need to go on a shopping spree yet I can't muster up the enthusiasm to go. I need to find time to have lunch with friends yet I don't want to see them either... all I really want to do is ..sit. And then sit some more. Pathetic.
Ok.. so maybe testosterone isn't helping me either.
Maybe someone else will have a solution for both of us.
I'm at a much higher testosterone dose too and I don't feel much different. I also pick up my place too, but there are times, especially when my pains levels are high that its just not possible. That makes me feel worse. I have toy clutter in every corner of my house not to mention husband clutter too. You can write your name in the dust on my tv and wall unit too. Most of the time I too just want to sit and do nothing. I hate feeling like this.
I had my thyroid checked to see if there was something going on there and they found complex cysts and nodules. Now I have to wait to see an endocrinologist about what to do next. I'm thinking that may be messing with any BHRT I'm trying to take and maybe not making it very effective??
I'll wait to see what the new doctor says. In the meantime I'll just keep rubbing those creams on.
I had my thyroid checked to see if there was something going on there and they found complex cysts and nodules. Now I have to wait to see an endocrinologist about what to do next. I'm thinking that may be messing with any BHRT I'm trying to take and maybe not making it very effective??
I'll wait to see what the new doctor says. In the meantime I'll just keep rubbing those creams on.
Corky,
When I first started using testosterone cream (1%) it took awhile for it to start working. My testosterone level was around 48 when I started feeling better. I only use it 3 x week now and I have to admit there is an improvement. It really helps to use it on the vulva and clitoris.
When I first started using testosterone cream (1%) it took awhile for it to start working. My testosterone level was around 48 when I started feeling better. I only use it 3 x week now and I have to admit there is an improvement. It really helps to use it on the vulva and clitoris.
I think the mistake a lot of ladies make is thinking that testosterone is going to make them feel like a teenager! I have used it and overdosed on it too! The OD made me feel awful-not more horny, just angry agitated and depressed. The correct dose makes me feel-well just ordinary but then once I start, I enjoy everything more than I did whilst in peri (and before!)
It can take a while to build up in the system although in my case I used too much too quickly at first. I would not recommend it! Once its in it can take ages to wear off and it's better to be cautious.
I would say the old adage "If you don't use it you lose it" applies with sex after the menopause, even if you are using testosterone. I suggest you don't wait until you feel in the mood because you probably wont until you try and then you will-if you see what i mean
Our bodies are aging and the sex drive is not full on as in younger years but sex is still great once you get going!
By the way I stopped using testosterone about 3 months ago because of side effects but I have not noticed any reduction in my sexual response. A little testosterone really seems to go a long way! If I do feel like I am losing it then I can go back to it for a little while
janet c
It can take a while to build up in the system although in my case I used too much too quickly at first. I would not recommend it! Once its in it can take ages to wear off and it's better to be cautious.
I would say the old adage "If you don't use it you lose it" applies with sex after the menopause, even if you are using testosterone. I suggest you don't wait until you feel in the mood because you probably wont until you try and then you will-if you see what i mean
Our bodies are aging and the sex drive is not full on as in younger years but sex is still great once you get going!
By the way I stopped using testosterone about 3 months ago because of side effects but I have not noticed any reduction in my sexual response. A little testosterone really seems to go a long way! If I do feel like I am losing it then I can go back to it for a little while
janet c
Okay. I will take your advice Janet. Also I was told by my pharmacist that the 1% cream is actually 10mg. That seems like a lot. Is that true, is it 10mg?
Yes, the 1% is 10 mg./gm. I use less than 1/2 gms. 3 x week, although my prescription says to use one gram/daily. I never used the amount my dr. prescribed as I knew it would lead to an overdose of testosterone.
QUOTE (gevalia @ Oct 6 2008, 08:21 PM) 
Yes, the 1% is 10 mg./gm. I use less than 1/2 gms. 3 x week, although my prescription says to use one gram/daily. I never used the amount my dr. prescribed as I knew it would lead to an overdose of testosterone.
I was thinking that was high, but the pharmacist said 10mg a day is fine but no more. I asked because my cream is 2.5mg 2x a day and I thought that was high then I found out that the 1% cream many use was even higher. Maybe I need that because I still don't have any zip and get up and go on the 5mg now and it's been two months.
My testosterone free was -0.2 I think and my testosterone serum 18. I'm going to test again if I ever get a period on the 3rd day to see what the BHRT is doing.
Testing again sounds like a good idea. When my doctor first prescribed testosterone cream for, the prescription was 2% cream-one gram day. I never followed the instructions because 20 mg.of testosterone day is a big dose for a women. My daily estrogen dose is only 0.1 mg. estradiol. I believe he was overprescribing so I had him cut my cream down to 1% at my next visit.
I don't feel that the T cream is a panacea. It has given me better bone density, more self confidance, and increased sensitivity...increased desire somewhat. I believe what has helped me most with desire is the addition of a very small amount of dhea transdermal cream. I think dhea is often over used as the dosages available OTC are really way too much for most women.
I don't feel that the T cream is a panacea. It has given me better bone density, more self confidance, and increased sensitivity...increased desire somewhat. I believe what has helped me most with desire is the addition of a very small amount of dhea transdermal cream. I think dhea is often over used as the dosages available OTC are really way too much for most women.
QUOTE (gevalia @ Oct 7 2008, 01:59 PM)
Testing again sounds like a good idea. When my doctor first prescribed testosterone cream for, the prescription was 2% cream-one gram day. I never followed the instructions because 20 mg.of testosterone day is a big dose for a women. My daily estrogen dose is only 0.1 mg. estradiol. I believe he was overprescribing so I had him cut my cream down to 1% at my next visit.
I don't feel that the T cream is a panacea. It has given me better bone density, more self confidance, and increased sensitivity...increased desire somewhat. I believe what has helped me most with desire is the addition of a very small amount of dhea transdermal cream. I think dhea is often over used as the dosages available OTC are really way too much for most women.
I don't feel that the T cream is a panacea. It has given me better bone density, more self confidance, and increased sensitivity...increased desire somewhat. I believe what has helped me most with desire is the addition of a very small amount of dhea transdermal cream. I think dhea is often over used as the dosages available OTC are really way too much for most women.
Is your DHEA cream from a compounder also? I read a lot of the dhea but I'm a little nervous to try that. Is there a standard blood test to see if your DHEA is low? I've looked at my labs blood tests and never saw DHEA on there.
There is a standard blood test to check whether you are low on dhea. I have never had this test run as my doctor doesnt believe in hormone testing. My doctor did not prescribe dhea and since there is no prescription needed, I am able to get it over the internet. If you decide it is something you want to supplement with, you should probably check your levels first. Also, read up as much as possible because it is not something to take lightly. Many of the otc dosages available are much more than should be used every day. One of the drawbacks is that constant use can shut down your body's own production of dhea. That is why I use it only 3-4 days week and only half of the recommended dosage.
QUOTE (gevalia @ Oct 7 2008, 07:57 PM)
There is a standard blood test to check whether you are low on dhea. I have never had this test run as my doctor doesnt believe in hormone testing. My doctor did not prescribe dhea and since there is no prescription needed, I am able to get it over the internet. If you decide it is something you want to supplement with, you should probably check your levels first. Also, read up as much as possible because it is not something to take lightly. Many of the otc dosages available are much more than should be used every day. One of the drawbacks is that constant use can shut down your body's own production of dhea. That is why I use it only 3-4 days week and only half of the recommended dosage.
Great, thanks. I will ask the endocrinologist I find for my thyroid to check that too.
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