I went back to my doctor today, after taking two hormones level tests, one before taking Bi-est with testosterone, and one after being on it for one month. (I ahave benn on it for 6 weeks.) I am sorry to report that I still have no libido AT ALL. The doc said that my testosterone levels were abnormally high (after using the cream) and that my estradol was now pre-menopausal (it was classified as "prepubescent" and unmeasurable before. Ditto for progesterone, and I use a progesterone cream. Since I have no libido and DH has given up, I couldn't report on the vaginal atrophy. It's all very strange because I am what the medical pro's refer to as a "slow ager" except for this one thing.

Has anyone else experienced a high level of T and E, but still no libido? The doctor asked if my DH and I have "issues" but we don't. We are very loving towards each other. She wanted to send me to a sex therapy clinis but I told her that we had a glorious sex life until the big M.

I feel sad and dead inside because of this.

So sad about this, Rosina.

I don't really have any advice, except to say that you're not alone. I too don't have much interest in sexual stuff right now. I even get impatient and skim over sex scenes in novels! My hub has slowed down too, so it isn't a big issue, although we do talk about it.

Somehow I feel this will get better once we're more levelled out. Hope so, anyway.



Jacquie

How I used to fret over my decreasing libido! I thought it was absolutely tragic and horribly unfair that I was losing that which I had so thoroughly enjoyed having for so long. I got a prescription for topical testosterone and applied it nightly. It DID perk me up, but didn't restore me to my glory days. Then I decided that it was OK for that desire to be dormant most of the time, and that my heart, rather than my hormones, was in charge now.

I'm content and believe that should my heart choose a man, my hormones will follow. Meanwhile, life is good.
Cesca

I noticed my libido waning when I hit 42. Before that, a couple of glasses of wine and I was good to go. Since that time, I could care less. This has been really hard on my poor husband. He is 5 years younger than I am. About 6 years ago I went and had a testosterone level done. I was convinced that I must have a very low level. In reality, my testosterone level was so high that it was off the chart. They even repeated the test to make sure. In my opinion, all the hype about testosterone is nothing but hype. I have since read a book called Hormones and the Mind: A Woman's Guide to Enhancing Mood, Memory, and Sexual Vitality
by Edward L., Klaiber. I recommend it highly. Dr. Klaiber mentions that women need adequate levels of both estrogen and testosterone to enhance their libidos. He mentions that all the testosterone in the world won't help you if you don't have enough estrogen. From personal experience I agree. Some years ago, when my testosterone actually was low, the Dr. gave me some cream. I applied it faithfully, but all it did was make me agressive and then my hair started falling out by the handful. If you read Dr. Rako's book you will note that in addition to using testosterone, she was taking estrogen. You need both.

Thanks everyone for these words of wisdom. The lack of libido doesn't really affect me, it's more the feeling that I should have it, if only to believe that my marriage is a lively one! Cindy, I was particularly interested in your comments. I come from a family with female pattern baldness. When I was 25, my hair started falling out by the handful. My dermatologist put me on minoxidil (Rogaine). My hair then remained in place and has done so ever since, however, it has not been particularly dense either...until I hit meno. Then, in contrast to other women's experiences, it became very luxuriant. I assumed that it was low progesterone doing this as I could never take the Pill due to severe hair loss.

I decided to stop the Biest with testosterone after one month's use as I don't like the idea of high estradiol (my mother passed away from breast cancer), or high testosterone. However, DH and I decided to do the Nike thing ("just do it") and the atrophy that had been present a couple of months back had most definitely improved 100%. (Still no libido, but I employed my acting skills.) So I think I will carry on with it, only use half the amount, and just see what happens.