Testosterone gel?

[Clawdeen]

I've been taking oestrogel (3 pumps) and utrogestan since last summer and most symptoms have been under control, though I do think it's made my hair loss worse which is distressing. However for the last month, I have had night sweats every night and so am beyond exhausted. I've upped the oestrogel to 4 pumps but it doesn't seem to have made a difference.

I had an NHS menopause clinic appointment yesterday. Unfortunately it was very rushed and I was so tired that I didn't really ask sensible questions. The doctor has prescribed me testosterone ( tostran 2%) to help with the night sweats. I haven't read anything about testosterone having an effect on this? She did say ( I think) it would compete with oestrogen for the receptors so increasing free oestrogen levels?

Anyway, I'm very nervous about taking testosterone- I'm worried it will make my hair loss worse and I'm also very concerned about acne ( I've suffered since puberty and only finished my last course of roaccutane to clear my skin last year).

Does anyone have any experience of taking testosterone?

I can't really help you but I'm watching with interest as I think there is a role for testosterone in the management of the menopause. I broached the subject of testosterone with my GP for low libido but as it's not licensed for women she wasn't too keen to go down that route. She checked my testosterone levels but again as a woman she said there wasn't a recognised lower physiological level of testosterone, only upper levels for women with hirsutism for example.
My husband has been on testosterone for years as replacement therapy and he is like a new man on it. He has much more energy, much better mood levels and helps with keeping him trim. He didn't get on well with Tostran-it caused skin irritation so he now uses Testogel with much better effect. He has had to change his dose multiple times over the years (with consultant endocrinologist guidance) depending on his testosterone blood levels or his mood so you may need to tinker about until you find a dose that suits you. He hasn't had any acne or baldness but I appreciate his experience as a man will be very different to yours.
Hope someone comes along that may be more help!

Androgens can trigger or Accelerate male pattern baldness depending on your underlying susceptibility.
Much depends on the distribution of the enzyme to convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which is a more powerful androgen
If you have it in your hair follicles at the top of your head then you will tend to get hair loss, in other areas of skin then you're more likely to get increased hair growth or acne.
you won't know if you have that susceptibility until you start taking androgens

Is probably more complex but those are the basic principles as I understand them.

Thank you both. Having more energy and an improved mood would be a bonus. My hair has come out in clumps around my temples and general thinning all over since being on oestrogel so I'm worried about my sensitivity to hormones in general. Have always looked for least androgenic /anti androgenic components when taking the pill or HRT because of being prone to acne. Seems counterintuitive to me to take an androgen!
Perhaps I need to see an expert privately ( my GP just shrugged her shoulders and said we'd run out of options when I went to her about my night sweats).

Consulting a hair loss expert might be a good idea?
As far as I know there are multiple things that could influence hair loss.

Losing hair at the temples does sound like 'male pattern baldness' and I'd be wary of using Testo with that happening already.
I agree you may benefit from seeing another consultant or even a trichologist re your hair. You might be lacking in something else- thyroid okay?

Oestrogen is supposed to help hair; it could be the Utrogestan. I seem to have noticed more hair shedding on it compared to Norethisterone which is weird as Noreth is an androgen type progestogen. having said that the hair loss seems to have been only for the last year and fingers crossed may have slowed down. I noticed it more when combing out wet hair. No one else would notice as I have always had lots of hair, but I thought my hair was finer all over (each hair) and a bit thinner overall.

Hi Clawdeen, I asked to be referred on the NHS to the menopause clinic at the Chelsea and Westminster in London. I suffer from severe PMT so they have started me on Estradiol and utrogestan. I was given testosterone in a gel format to try after 2 months, twice a week. I'm one month in and thinking I may have to try it. Slightly worried by the side effects but they said the dose is so low it should be ok. How about asking to return to the clinic or asking for a second opinion.