HRT for loss of libido / lubrication??

[Loueytb3]

It looks like I have gone through menopause relatively early (I'm now 46). I've had symptoms for the past couple of years but I had put all/most of them down to stress and thought I was too young for it to be menopause. Now it looks like I'm through it and so hadn't considered going onto HRT as the night sweats and hot flushes have all but stopped. But, my biggest issue is the loss of libido and lack of lubrication. I don’t want to DTD and then when I do, it is either uncomfortable at best or painful at worst. I've just come back from holiday which was miserable because I dreaded going to bed every night. I have had 3 UTIs since the summer which the GP has said are likely due to the menopause. I don't want to feel like this for the rest of my life. But I have no idea whether going onto HRT will help or whether it is worth trying one of the herbal oestrogen replacements. Help!!!

Hi OP, if you go and research Dr Nick Panay - a pioneering gynae in West London - and his research into testosterone for menopausal women - it will be food for thought before you visit your Gp. Hrt and testosterone gel combined are nothing short of miraculous at menopause. Good luck!

Dryness and soreness is easily sorted with vaginal estrogen- either a cream or a tiny pellet, used 2-3 x a week. See your GP for this.

Bit shocked your GP has not offered this as it's the standard treatment for your infections and soreness.

There is no such things as herbal estrogen replacements. There are plant supplements as tablets that have some weak estrogenic effects but not enough really to sort out your vagina.

As you had an early menopause ebfore average age of 52 you also need to ask for a DEXA scan of your bone density in a few years (or get it done privately) to make sure you are not heading for osteoporosis.

I linked to a podcast on HRT about 6 threads down by Nick Panay- mentioned by the PP here- and it's worth watching that for info on HRT and everything else.

@Darceysbadtoe A GP cannot prescribe testosterone for women. It's off licence and only from a consultant and / or privately. Panay is hoping it might one day be available but at the moment it's not.

To be fair to the GP - I've only had a brief phone conversation with her which was to try and get antibiotics for the 3rd UTI and she raised the issue of menopause then. I hadn't made the link (I mean who knew that menopause caused UTIs). She sent me for a blood test because I've got a mirena coil in so haven't had periods for years. I can see the results online but I need to arrange an appt to see her, and you know how difficult it is to get a non urgent appt

She did mention lubrication but I haven't done anything about it yet. I seem to remember her saying something about getting a water based one?? I'm guessing you can't just pick that up in boots.

Very interesting about the testosterone - I'm going to have a more detailed look at that.

The lubricant preferred by gynaes is YES. I think you can buy it anywhere that sells stuff like that.

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells - will look for that one. Yes would definitely be preferred to the current no

UTIs were my big problem with menopause and HRT has made a massive difference. Menopause can cause your vagina to thin and dry out; hrt both plumps you out a bit and keeps you juicy which helps prevent the UTIs. At one stage I was on daily antibiotics, now I haven’t had a UTI for well over a year.

I did find it helped with libido although that might just be because I no longer dreaded the consequences of DTD: it didn't restore my libido a lot.

My libido was ok ish on hrt until recently when it has literally jumped off a cliff. As I have the Minerva coil I don’t know exactly when I was officially in meno but judging by this obvious symptom I guess it’s now. I really have no desire (or ability!) anymore. Not the end of the world I guess but very strange!

And as for testosterone.. tried it last year and began driving like a maniac and growing a beard unbelievable! Won’t be trying that again

Dryness and soreness is easily sorted with vaginal estrogen- either a cream or a tiny pellet, used 2-3 x a week. See your GP for this.

Definitely try this first. It's a low dose, localised so no real likelihood side effects and may perk up your libido.