Testogel: Day 19 and counting...

[scottishdaisy]

Thought this might be of interest to anyone contemplating testosterone treatment as part of their HRT.... And I'm also very interested to hear about others' experiences. So... I've been to our marvellous local menopause clinic three or four times. Have had a mirena coil fitted and have played about with different types and doses of oestrogen but was still feeling a bit lacklustre and lacking in libido. I was hoping that testosterone would help with this and I also wondered if it would make me run faster. So last time (and after months of hoping for it and reading up on the benefits) I was finally given a three month course to see how I get on. No idea how much of the benefit is the placebo effect, but my energy levels went up pretty much immediately. Instead of lying in bed for hours in the morning surfing ebay and MN (fun though that undoubtedly is!) I am much more inclined to get up and do something and my last couple of runs have been quite good.

Still no libido though. I'm thinking that might take a bit longer.

Wondered what others have experienced? Benefits and side effects... Oh - I'm waking up really early often at 5ish or sometimes awake for hours at night, tummy a bit funny, but despite the lack of sleep I'm still feeling really good during the day... The broken sleep may be down to the fact we have just moved and I'm very busy planning my redecorating strategy.

I’m very interested in this. Only started HRT 3 months ago. I have my 3 month check-up on Thursday and Dr said last time that we could discuss it then. I have found HRT helpful with mood but not with energy or libido. I’m a bit worried about facial hair but I think it’s probably worth trying. (The best thing to happen so far is that I think broadly optimistic things like that!)

I think that broad optimism is way better than rocking in the corner crying! Sadly I have always had a bit of a moustache so am working on the assumption that testosterone won't make it much worse. (Optimism is a wonderful thing). HRT definitely helped with my feelings of being overwhelmed by small problems. And I stopped the daily weeping but still felt a bit knackered/I'd rather have chocolate than sex.... Have now started the third sachet of testosterone - dosing is a bit hit and miss as it's meant to be a sachet a week but it's hard to gauge. Will let everyone know if my libido comes back. Fingers crossed. Having said that, my husband is a bit exhausted too so maybe he will run away....

Hi I've been on Testogel on and off for almost 2 years. I did get some peach fuzz from it & extra body hair. I have to admit it does bring back a little bit of my pre- peri sense of well-being. In addition, it helps me to retain quick thinking skills. It also helps with having stamina for exercise. I am interested in what dose everybody takes as what I have read is that there are so many variations on what is prescribed.

Hi Cbb.. what makes you come off? I'm noticing a few little spots on my jaw and back... the big dilemma would be if they get any worse... what are my priorities?! Aargh... I'm still not feeling like sex. And as for quick thinking - I sent the wrong pair of shoes to an Ebay buyer and forgot about a work appointment I had yesterday. So clearly my marbles have not made a come-back yet. The sachet I have been given is 50mg for the week. Haven't quite worked out what 7mg looks like when I squeeze it out yet...

Hi. I have been on testogel since October last year. It took just over 3 months for my libido to return. It was really stressing me out as I had no libido for well over a year, maybe longer.

We went away on holiday earlier this year and everything had returned to normal just before we went away resulting in a very good full on libido!

I wish I had gone on it sooner. I use half a pump 3 times a week. I can know myself if I am using too much as sexual feelings become quite strong.

I was initially on Tibolone and this didn't help me. I then was on Sandrena and utrogestran, the utrogestran didn't agree with me at all. I have since being changed to northisterone every day without a break as that is what fits with my menopause.

I did get a couple of spots in the beginning, but they stopped. I do have extra hair in the groin area, as that is where I apply it, and have noticed that I need to shave my legs and underarms more often.

All in all, it has been good so far for me and I am enjoying this for the time being, in the hope that it continues.

Hi, Losing! Oh - so interested to hear about the three month thing... I need to go back to the clinic at three months if I want a repeat prescription. The consultant said if it hadn't made a difference, just to not go back! But I definitely will then. Still no libido but am convinced my energy levels are up.. had the longest run for months on Sunday and then actually managed to go out in the afternoon with the dog for a decent walk. Previously I might have managed the run but then I'd have been a bit shattered for the rest of the day. By night time I'm still wiped out but not so bothered about that!! Spots still there. And actually plucked a black hair from the middle of my chin (not underneath!!) the other day. Which was slightly traumatic. Will just have to be very vigilant with the magnifying mirror. God almighty. Who knew that getting older would be so problematic? My worry is that I'm 49 which isn't old - how rubbish will I feel when I'm 70?! Hoping that HRT is the miraculous cure.

I’m 49 too! This is exactly what spurred me on. I don’t want to not enjoy, or not want sex. It’s ridiculous!

Amazingly, I think if it was men that went through the menopause, that everything would be on offer and on tap. No bother whatsoever, whereas I feel that we have to research everything! Including finding experts and almost begging to get to see them.

One gynaecologist told me about 3 years ago when I went to have polyps removed, that maybe I should book a cruise with my husband; that might get things going!

What a pri*k!!!!

Testosterone is still not helping my memory - kept forgetting to answer!! Yep. Totally think if it was a man thing there would be much more information out there/better options. Still no libido but I'm hardly sleeping (too much on my mind/maybe need to play about with my oestrogen level) but still functioning well during the day. Absolutely convinced the testogel is helping energy and oomph. Happy days. And from what you have said I'm looking forward to it improving over time... maybe in time for the summer holidays!

Yes, hopefully!

I'm 47,been on hrt for nearly two years now.
Feeling tired & my libido was steadily disappearing,ability to orgasm had gone too.So did some reading up on testosterone & my gp referred me to an endocrine consultant (after blood tests to check my t levels). He prescribed testim gel & I have been using it now for a month.
Energy levels have increased,ability to orgasm is getting better & I think my libido is too.
So it's all good for me

Hi ladies

I am now 47 & I was absolutely exhausted - despite HRT (premature ovarian insufficiency) so my specialist prescribed Testogel 5 mg sachet to last 5 to 7 days.

I came off it as I developed: sore breasts , peach fuzz, extra body hair & more perspiration -change of body scent.

I started using less - making a sachet last 2 weeks. Then I decided to come off it for a while as I was fearful of more facial hair!

I stayed off it for a few months and had my levels tested - they came back as 0.2. What were yours before treatment & what dosage were you prescribed - chickensaresafehere?

What dosage is everybody else on? How does Testim differ to Testogel?

My HRT regimen is Estrogel 2 pumps plus Utrogestan 200mg for 12 days a month.

I am back on Testogel, but not taking the recommended dose as I have developed a fair amount of peach fuzz and light hair above upper lip.
It def helps with my energy levels etc as I mentioned in my previous post so I am tempted to up my dosage but I worry so much about side effects!

Any comments would be greatly appreciated as I discuss this with NOBODY !!! It's my secret!

Cbb209 Testim comes in small tubes,I use a good pea sized blob & I apply it to alternate inner thighs every morning.
I have had no extra hair growth or excess sweating.
Not sure of the difference between testim & testogel.

I'm not sure of the difference either between the two but I'm sure google can tell you.

I apply half a pump 3 times a week and have been applying it to groin area as directed. It has caused more hair but I can manage it with general 'grooming'.

Where see you applying it? They didn't check my levels before hand.

Hi I was applying it on inner arm to begin with.

Now I apply it to my lower abdomen.

I am going to properly research .

Thanks ladies

Ps chickens are safe here - what were your levels when tested?

Also I have a theory that estrogen suppresses testosterone as I felt so different after my trials of different forms of HRT.
What do you all think?

I meant to write I am going to properly research Testim - it sounds a lot easier in a pump than the Testogel silver sachets.

I didn’t have testogel sachets, I have a pump and discard half. estrogen doesn’t supress, but binds the testosterone. Your gynaecologist will explain properly. All chemistry. Better explained by an expert!

Tried it but came off when I grew a beard and started driving like a maniac...

My t level was 0.7 & the consultant said that was very low.
So yours Cbb209 was really low at 0.2!
My testim comes in 50mg tubes & 1 tube lasts me around 10 days. It is really easy to use.
I have done a lot of reading up on testosterone,Menopause Matters forum is informative reading,but I think you have to join to read the good posts about women who are using testosterone,as it is in the 'Private Lives' section.
It was there that I learnt that I may struggle with oral hrt & t gel as the SHBG from the oral hrt binds the free testosterone in your body making it unavailable for use (I think I've got that right). But there is no definitive evidence that that's the case & after over a month using t gel I have noticed a difference so I'm hoping it will carry on.
Back to the consultant in 3 months time to check my testosterone levels again & see how I'm getting on.

Gosh... I've missed a lot of posts... I've not been sleeping - so have increased my oestrogen patches from 1 1/3 patches to 1.5 which seems to have done the trick. Also means I can get 75mg and only have one patch instead having two separate stickers which is a bit unsightly!! Still no libido but convinced energy is better. Went out for a run the other day and struggled - realised I'd forgotten to apply the testosterone but surely there can't be such an instant correlation?! I've not quite got the dose cracked yet - my sachet is still lasting just over a week but am trying to use a bit more. I randomly put the gel behind my knee (as per consultant's instructions) and on shoulders.. sure I read that one somewhere... Mood is 100% better I'd say. I feel that the other stuff (oestrogen patch plus Mirena) helped me feel less rubbish but that the testosterone is actually giving me a positive boost. Not dissimilar to an anti depressant.... Happy days. Still waiting for the sex drive, but am hoping that, like Losing, it will just take a while...

Oh... I think I was 0.9 when my T level were tested... consultant said something like 0.4 - 2.5 were normal? And the spots on my jaw seem to have diminished although I've a few on my back now but hoping they pass, too...

Hi ladies it's great to read your posts.
Yes I knew my levels were low after trial & error with oral estrogen & various estrogen patches and progestagens (I lost loads of body hair and scalp hair in a couple of months & my energy levels really decreased to the point I had to really rest after a busy day (busy days had been very normal for me). Also my mood was all over the place with all the different formulations. I really wasn't myself; the specialist & GP said I'm sensitive to hormones.
I'm a lot more settled now on my regime which I've been on for a couple of years now however, I do get a PMT type crash when I finish the 12 days of Utrogestan.
The testosterone isn't a miracle but it does help me when I think of my previous exhaustion. It doesn't make much difference to my libido as I take such a small amount - I try to make a sachet of Testogel last -14 days. It was prescribed at double that dose but I don't enjoy the side effects I experienced. I got spots like you Scottish Daisy on the 5-7 day per sachet regime. I've now researched and discovered that Testim & Testogel are the same. I must say I find the Testogel sachets difficult to handle efficiently with regards to exact dosing each day. Also is it necessary to put it in the fridge once opened?

Scottish Daisy - I'll be interested to find out your new levels once you've been tested.
Chickensaresafehere - yes I've had a peep at the Menopause Matters section - thanks a million !
Have a great day!

Just heading out the door CBB, but no - I was told to just seal the packet, no need to put in the fridge... hope you have a good day, too!

I forgot to ask ... has anybody tried the pellets?

Cheers

Pellets?! Oh no... another option? Must google..

I'm taking the testosterone gel. Not a hairy belly, zero libido, no extra energy. Feel very emotional and can "switch" at any time (think I'm fine then snap or get really angry). Seeing consultant next week. I want off all HRT the way I feel at the moment. Don't feel in control of my body or mind