Does HRT help libido or do you definitely need testosterone?

[MabelMoo23]

Hi

Can anyone on HRT let me know how it worked for their libido? Or did they need testosterone as well and did they get it easily?

My libido is absolutely through the floor, it’s awful. I actually dread going to bed now. I so sad for my husband, I’ve been on the receiving end of being rejected and it’s awful and now I’m the one doing it. It’s absolutely breaking my heart. I have zero sex drive and terrible dryness.

I’m waiting for a GP appt to ask for HRT as I’m 43 (very nearly 44) and really suffering with symptoms at the moment. But the libido and dryness are awful.

I understand that testosterone isn’t licensed for women but that some GP’s do prescribe it. What is the likelihood of getting it with HRT or is it a private prescription that I’m going to potentially need?

Or is it that you need to try oestrogen and progesterone first? And then add testosterone later on?

Thanks

i can recommend HRT for this...I started with vagifem which improved the discomfort and dryness, but it did nothing for the insomnia, hotflushes and other assorted symptoms,

Before starting the vagifem I had my mirena renewed with the view to some sort of HRT so I have Oestrogel to apply now and that has dealt with everything else

I feel like a new woman and (tmi) I imagine DH would concur!

I would love to be able to be TMI about my sex life - I feel so sad my husband, and me!!

So you didn’t have testosterone then, just HRT?

I really need to sort everything as I feel awful and I’m so miserable.

Sadly hrt did little for my libido, although it sorted the dryness and cystitis which helped sex a bit.

@MabelMoo23 Your GP won't give you either, solely for libido.

At 43, are you missing periods and having other peri meno symptoms?If you are, you need HRT anyway regardless of libido as you are young to peri meno.

GPs can't prescribe testosterone- you need referring to a meno consultant or make your own private appt (most don't need a GP referral.)

But they would still want you to start on HRT first to see if it helps.

@JinglingHellsBells I’m not missing periods, although I have a very short cycle but I’ve got night sweats, hot flushes, vaginal dryness, terrible bone crushing fatigue but can’t sleep , painful joints (can’t even open the cat food bag!), really really thinning hair, awful brain fog and confusion. Basically I feel horrendous

my Mum started perimenopause at 36 and was fully through the menopause, periods stopped completely by 38

I feel awful, really suffering and I’m so low

Oh my god the brain fog and confusion is all over the place

I fall over my word and get confused, I’ll be unloading the dishwasher and can’t remember where things go in the kitchen. I’ll be driving and then suddenly feel lost and don’t know where I am as I get really confused

The GP should prescribe HRT based on symptoms such as yours plus irregular periods for women over 45. See the NICE pathway here:

pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/menopause#content=view-node%3Anodes-diagnosing-perimenopause-and-menopause

As you are under 45 they may want to check FSH hormone levels first, but given your family history, they may not do so.

In terms of libido, mine has not returned with systemic HRT, though this has helped with other symptoms, so I am considering testosterone.

I can honestly say it made not the slightest difference to me. My libido started in my mind and I either had it or didn't. It didn't bother me one way or the other.

I came off HRT after a while because I was having weekly migraine so it obviously didn't suit; I was none the worse for stopping it, coped with perimenopause quite well.

I have a very high sex drive. Fortunately, my partner of a year does too.

I didn't with my ex husband but I was on anti depressants then so think that might have been the problem. I take HRT now so not sure if the HRT or my normal libido without antidepressants.

I found that HRT did help with my mood though - no more major mood swings now I am on hrt