Testosterone replacement?

[Bluebell66]

I'm 52 and have been peri menopausal for sometime now. I'm on Oestrogel- 2 pumps daily and Provera every other month. Still getting regular periods.

The last month has been hell, a constant throbbing headache and a considerable worsening in my lower back pain. Also depressed and anxiety through the roof and severe fatigue/inability to sleep and hot flushes day and night.

Does anyone know if it's worth looking into testosterone therapy please?

TIA

when you say you have regular periods, are these every 4 weeks?
How does this work with the Provera (because that ought to give you a withdrawal bleed every other month.)

You will have a bleed like that forever, as long as you are on that regime.

The symptoms ought to clear up with more estrogen- try using 3 pumps.

Testosterone is not going to help those. It's also not available from GPs and is mainly used for libido, if you were to see a private consultant.

Many thanks for your reply Queen. I haven't used the Provera for a while as my periods are every four weeks, give or take a day or two. GP said as long as I'm having regular bleeds I don't need to take it.

No problem with libido but my energy levels are really erratic and I wondered if the testosterone may help with this.

I've increased Oestrogel to three pumps and have a GP appointment booked for the end of the month to discuss. I should have an idea by then if it's helping.

The worst thing is the constant splitting headache- day and night.

Thanks again.

Just a couple of points. It's debatable whether no Provera/ any progestogen is ok if you are still having your own periods. The reason is, you may be getting more build up of the lining than you are shedding; a bleed doesn't always equal full clearance although it's likely it is! There is always the risk that a bleed is due to over-thickened lining and not what appears to be a normal cycle. Are you getting any PMS symptoms as well to make you think it is your period? I'm sure all is okay but it's not a regime you can use long term of course.

Your GP is actually breaking prescribing rules because estrogen-only can't be given to women who still have a womb. (For the above reason.) When I started HRT I was having occasional periods and was put on a long cycle type which was progestogen once every 3 months.

Have the headaches got worse or better on estrogen? Did you have them prior to HRT?

I think you need to get the flushes under control first before adding in any other hormone.
Testosterone is usually only for women very post-meno whose own levels are really low, or who have had surgical menopause, and it comes with its own range of side effects.

What are you doing lifestyle wise? Are you exercising daily and eating a really good diet with little sugar, no booze etc?

Thanks so much for your input Queen. I definitely get PMT symptoms and know when my period is on its way. Maybe I should take Provera every three months- this was my original regime. I have an annual pelvic scan to keep a check on my womb lining.

I've always suffered with headaches but over the last 18 months they have been so much better. However, the last three weeks I've had a permanent splitting headache and awful flushes, which I've not had before.

I exercise regularly, my weight is fine, diet good, social drinker, but definitely never to excess.

Try upping the gel. Sounds as if you are seeing a dr privately because scans every year are not NHS , so your dr is the best person to talk to if they are an expert.