Testosterone questions

[Keenovay]

Wasn't sure whether to post this in sex or meno threads, but this issue seems more meno related, so here goes.

I am in my mid 50s and have been applying Tostran (2%) testosterone gel for five months - one pump every other day. I asked my GP if I could try it because my ability to reach orgasm has felt broken for some years now, and worsened during peri and then menopause. I still get turned on, but something seems to 'cut out' just as I try to come which is very frustrating, as I used to have very reliable orgasms. It feels like a car engine cutting out when you try to switch up a gear.

I have seen an NHS psycho-sexual counsellor a couple of times, but haven't found it helpful as I believe it's a physical issue, not something in my head. It affects sex with my partner and solo masturbation.

I am interested to hear experiences from anyone who has used T gel for similar reasons, but also had a couple of specific Qs.

1. The gel is making my already hairy inner thighs even hairier, so I want to switch to applying it to my inner forearms instead where I don't have any hair. Is it safe to only apply it only to forearms, if I alternate them? I don't want to start growing inner arm hair! Also - will the hair on my thighs thin out once I stop applying gel there, or is this just my new chimpy base level now?
2. I am not aware of any beneficial effect yet, five months in, on my orgasms or general energy levels. Should I persevere or ask my GP to increase the dose? I did ask the psycho-sexual counsellor, but she seemed uninterested in testosterone as a solution, and even suggested I just increase the dose to daily myself to see what happens, which I was a bit taken aback by. I assumed it would need monitored in some way.

I appreciate I should probably just go back to my GP, but I just wanted some views first. Thanks.

OP don't you have regular blood tests? I've had one every three months since starting T, GP texts me to tell me to book one in.

I haven't ever had orgasms so that's not an issue for me, but it has made me feel more like I did in my 20s when I wanted to have sex, ie. It had done what it was advertised to do!! (I wanted it for energy).

I don't have any hair growth either. I put my testogel on the outside of my thigh most mornings when I remember. No extra hair at all.

Maybe you could try changing to testogel to see if that makes a difference?

@Keenovay

Thanks for your reply. I only had one blood test before I started on it. I didn't get given the results as such so don't know what my baseline level was. I just got told it was safe to proceed.

Have you had a look on your NHS app? My results show on there.

I would ask for a follow up blood test too.

I use T every day and still only went from 0.04- 0.08 in 8 months, it takes time to accumulate I think.

I was on T for a while. Not only did it increase hair growth where I applied the gel, but also increased facial hair growth. Worst of all it caused male pattern baldness and my hair is very thin on the crown and top of my head due to destruction of follicles by testosterone. This is irreversible. These were side effects which were described in the info leaflet.
I had 6 monthly blood tests and T levels within normal limits. For me, the benefits were not worth the side effects of change in hair growth patterns and hair loss.

We don't have the NHS app in Scotland unfortunately.

Yes, I feel I have had a bit of thinning too, on the crown of my head so hope that doesn't worsen. If you don't mind my asking, did you get any positive effects in terms of energy or libido then?

@Keenovay I can’t say I noticed an increase in energy levels, muscle strength, or cognition.
I did not notice any increase in desire whatsoever either, but once things got going I did notice an improvement in arousal and satisfaction. I found it totally overhyped and not the holy grail we are led to believe. I was very disappointed.
I expect others will have have different experiences though, please don’t be discouraged by my negativity!

I'm on T as part of my HRT and I found it hasn't helped my libido at all. I get annual blood tests. I'm happy to stay on it as I don't have any side effects like hair growth where I apply it or male pattern baldness etc. I feel it probably helps with confidence, energy levels and brain fog.
Is your dose correct OP? I only apply a pea sized blob every day. A full pump on alternate days seems like a very high dose but I could be wrong.

I use Tostran. I probably only remember to put it on 3x a week. Max.

I put it on any old where.

I got it for my libido which had left the building. But more importantly, my ability to orgasm. I’ve always been able to orgasm easily and at least 5 or 6 times. But it had all gone to pot. The Tostran has helped enormously. I also feel it helps my focus at work. On a demanding day, I’ll rub a bit in first thing.

No hairy/baldy side effects that I’ve noticed.

The most interesting thing about menopause and HRT for me has been the conversations I’ve had with many girlfriends. ALL of them have said their libido has fallen off a cliff. But I’ve been really shocked about the orgasm bit as several of my friends have admitted they’ve NEVER had an orgasm, so don’t want testosterone for that, but just for the libido bit. This has really amazed and saddened me. We are talking about women in their 40s and 50s here.

@MartyFunkhouser well your post makes me feel better that I'm not the only one! I just never figured out what to do in my 20s, and always had the idea that I'd get round to figuring it out at some point, but I wasn't really that bothered.

I then started having them in my sleep in my early 40s and pre HRT (I'd wake up when they started) a handful of times a year. They are so intense and make me feel sick. So I'm glad they aren't part of my life.

So not bothered about the libido part of the T gel, just for the energy levels that you talk about.

Oh and I'm 46 which fits with what you have said about your girlfriends.

I think this is really interesting, and a whole other conversation.

But we should get bloody testosterone if we feel we need it, regardless of what we need it for! I had to FIGHT (well, pester) for it.

But can you imagine a 50 year old man saying he’d never had an orgasm? I feel a little sad about this bit. And like I want to do a poll. I won’t, but…

@MartyFunkhouser sorry you're right, and I didn't intend to side track the thread.

But no, there won't be many men around with the same problem will there?!

My GP gave it to me without any issue but so many women have to fight for it.

My doctor friend told me that when testosterone makes you hairier or makes you lose your hair etc, you should be careful because it's irreversible. I got a darker moustache very quickly when I started taking T so I only take it every now and again. I was prescribed it for brain fog. I
Find it gives me quite a lot of energy but I don't want to look like Magnum GI so I don't use it very much. Sorry - no help to you OP but just answering the question about hairy thighs.

The benefits are interesting. Alas my GP won't prescribe it - I've gone through the NHS webinars on natural remedies (sage anyone?) and I suspect I have to go to CBT next as I declined the anxiety medication....

Are you on antidepressants OP? Or have been recently?

@sunshinechaser I take Tostran 2% gel. One pump equates to 0.5g of gel containing 10mg of testosterone. From looking it up online this does seem to be a standard dose for low libido for this brand.

@Tipster100 Thanks for the warning from your doc friend. I'm annoyed about the hair growth, as I understood rotating application between alternate arms and legs would avoid it. Dismayed to hear my woolly inner thighs might now be permanent. Also anxious I could end up with hair growth on my inner wrists and arms. I have heard of women applying it to the inner (soft) soles of their feet, though I am not sure if that's recommended for best absorption.

@@MartyFunkhouser Good to hear of your positive experiences of Tostran. I too used to orgasm easily, so I feel sad and frustrated about the current situation. I don't feel I can discuss my sex life with friends, since in my experience nobody is ever genuinely discreet and I don't want to embarrass my partner, so I suspect a lot of women around our age (and their partners) are suffering bed death in silence.

I have a positive woman doc now, but years ago, I was taking Cerazette for contraception and felt my libido flatlining as a result. The GP I saw that time didn't appear to think that mattered, so long as I couldn't get pregnant. In fact she recommended I use both pill AND condoms. It was as if my pleasure wasn't any sort of priority, and I felt degenerate for raising it. She just didn't respond to any of the concerns I raised. The experience was bizarre and humiliating, and I didn't raise the matter again with a GP for years. When I came off Cerazette, things got a bit better, though getting to orgasm took longer. But I've always wondered (probably irrationally) if there has been some longer term effect on my body from taking Cerazette.

@Thethruththewholetruth No, I'm not on anti-depressants, though I took them briefly decades ago.

The only drug that's ever made any difference is cannabis, eaten or smoked, which seems to help with blood flow and relaxation and makes penetrative sex more enjoyable, albeit pretty woo-woo. However I don't have distinctive, strong, we're-done-let's-all-go-home-now orgasms anymore, either alone or with my partner.

i found it worked within a few weeks

I’ve been thinking about asking for T, but so far never have.

But just a question: I have had thinning pubic hair, which I imagine is not uncommon (?). Why not rub the gel in there, in the hope of being nice and bushy again?

As far as I know, that is too close to the vulva and clitoral tissue.

Same thought has occurred to me. Tostran leaflet says it can be applied to "lower abdomen or upper thighs". Lower abdomen would include the pubic area, right? However from what I have heard, it travels, so you could end up with a broader bush than you bargained for.

(It's insane to me how much guesswork and community knowledge all this involves, but presumably it's still a relatively new drug to prescribe to women?)

Thanks both! @Keenovay @MyCatHatesSandals

Incidentally, I’m sure I read somewhere (and I know that sounds infuriatingly vague) that HRT with T came with a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than HRT without T. That’s been another of my hesitations.