HRT for libido?

[Applecrumble24]

just wondering if anyone has started HRT for low sex drive?

I may be peri and my doctor has said I could trial HRT for lethargy and low libido

( I already have the mirena coil which I believe is testosterone so I’m guessing she means oestrogen)

Mirena coil is a type of synthetic progesterone that keeps the womb lining thin. If you already have this it's likely you'll be given oestrogen (topical is best). Testosterone is not added (if at all) until oestrogen levels are right. Oestrogen can help with libido but many find testosterone is the missing hormone that helps with libido and other things like fatigue and brain fog.

Ah ok.
She was reluctant to do any hormone tests. She said they would likely show normal age related changes as I don’t have major symptoms but said I could trial HRT if my other bloods were normal. So don’t know about oestrogen levels 🤷‍♀️
should I insist on hormone levels?

Topical as in a cream/ gel or is a patch ok?

Sorry meant to tag @OSU

Testosterone worked for me for libido, but for it to work your oestrogen has to be optimised first. Many won’t prescribe it until they are sure your oestrogen is right. Topical = goes on the skin (gel or patch).

HRT including testosterone made no difference to my libido. My meno doctor recommended a book Mind The Gap, which I’m currently reading. Too early to say whether the book will help, but HRT didn’t.

OK.

HRT is:

Oestrogen (stops hot sweats/muscle pain/urinary issues) Patch/gel/tablet

Progesterone - stops the oestrogen thickening the lining of your uterus too much and thus avoid uterine cancer. (your coil provides this)

Testosterone - once the main symptoms of peri have gone, you can test testosterone levels and have gel if your levels are low.

Vaginal oestrogen cream to help vaginal atrophy. The thinking of your vagina and helps with utis, urinary incontinence, prolapse.

I have all four. But only got the testosterone after about 7 months of fully optimising the oestrogen.

If you want the testosterone, you have to say you have low libido.

I'm on the full hrt mix including testosterone. It works !

No vagindl dryness or bleeding after sex and I actually have a sec drive again. It's wonderful

I found HRT restored my, almost dormant, libido very quickly as well as banishing the night sweats.

I started the book but lost interest as I felt it was aimed at women in relationships.

How are you finding it?

I am postmenopausal.

On HRT about 7 years and testosterone plus 2 lots of topical estrogen and still zero labido.

Relationship broke down 5 years ago and haven't had a relationship or sex since.

Sounds very individual then.
guess I’ll have to try it and see.

For those that found it helped with libido, were there side effects?

No negative side effects for me.

No negative side effects from me.

OP it might be that your libido restores itself after a few months of oestrogen.

You may not need testosterone. Also lots of GPs refuse to prescribe it. So that's another battle!

Hi OP, your doc is right. Blood tests to look at hormone levels are not a useful indicator as your hormones fluctuate wildly. Your doc is right to say blood tests to rule out anything else first.

Thanks all 🙂