I’ve only been prescribed gel?

[coolpattern]

I’ve been on antidepressants for
years. Still miserable really and zero libido. Ended up getting divorced 18 months ago and now picking up the pieces of my life.

Last year I suspected I was perimenopausal after periods had stopped for 6-8 months.

i was prescribed oestrodose which I received but didnt start using as my period weirdly returned.

Im now another 6 months sans a period and have started using 2 pumps of gel a day this week. There’s been no major
uplift to mood or brain fog. Still exhausted come 7pm.

Ive watched the Davina documentary and she advocates getting progesterone and testosterone as well. I still have a womb and ovaries and have read that I should
definiately be taking progesterone as well.

I need to return to GP armed with knowledge to get both progesterone and testosterone. What advice can you give me? What dosages/brands should I be asking for? Thank you for reading.

Don't know about testosterone, but yes, my GP was v clear that progesterone is needed in addition to oestrogen if you still have your uterus, to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone is most often supplied in the form of utrogestan capsules (taken orally, though I think they can also be used vaginally), or the Mirena IUD.

Progesterone is taken for women who are peri rather than post menopausal. I.e. still bleeding. As pp says, to reduce the risk of cancer from thickening of womb.

I tried for a bit but made no difference to me but then was diagnosed with me/CFS. So brain fog and symptoms not entirely down to peri. We're all a bit of a tangle of things. It can be hard working out what's best but do go back. Doesn't sound quite right and I think you need a sympathetic GP who will talk and listen.

My understanding is that you always need progesterone in addition to oestrogen if you still have your uterus, whether you are peri or post-menopausal. However, the regime is different - continuous if post-menopausal, cyclical if still having periods.

Do you have a mirena coil? I questioned no progesterone when my GP prescribed gel and she pointed out that the coil does the progesterone part of the job.

There have been reports of Estradose not being as effective as Estragel even though they should be identical.

I'd ask your GP for progesterone for sure, and it's usually recommended to try a regime for 2-3 months. Your GP may suggest increasing your dose to 3 or even 4 pumps a day before trying testosterone.

No, I don’t have a coil and haven’t been on birth control for around 12 years. Ex had a vasectomy after our second child was born.

You definitely need progesterone too. I actually think your GP has been negligent prescribing estrogen without progesterone. The balance website has info about the different types of progesterone on offer. I have the Mirena coil which works for me but lots of women take micronised progesterone orally or vaginally.

Thanks, GP said progesterone was prescribed but the chemist certainly didn’t give it to me. Have a new prescription and am now taking it. GP was a firm no on the testosterone.

Is testosterone not recommended to start? I've got to look into HRT too. The benefits of testosterone sound fab!

@EmmaH2022 Sadly not by my NHS GP but I believe we can get it via private GP.

Makes me quite cross though that there’s so many products available to men with low libido and women have to fight for it.