Has anyone regained their libido during menopause and HRT?

[Cornishbelle]

Please can anyone advise. My libido is through the floor, has got gradually worse and now nothing. I can get there in the end but it's not as satisfying and I have no spontaneous desire at all.

My DH has been so patient and understanding I feel terrible for him and just hopeless for myself. We're at a point where kids are getting older and we can concentrate more on us but I just feel dead from waist down.

I'm on two pumps gel and 100mg daily utrogestan, 46 still had periods when started hrt 15 months ago daily regime due to pcos. I'm also on mounjaro 2 stone to go, libido was already gone before I started all these meds, I've previously felt fine libido wise at this weight too.

Anyone been in similar position and got libido back if so how?

Yes, with testosterone. Doesn’t work for everyone and you need your oestrogen to be sorted first, but it worked for me.

You may need a higher dosage. Three pumps and 200mg prog a day, plus oestrogen cream for your bits? Maybe testosterone gel?

Nope. All the HRT in the world and tweaking doses etc hasn’t made any difference whatsoever to mine. It’s like a switch has gone off and I have absolutely no interest whatsoever now. None.

I decided I wasn't going to lose my libido. When I first noticed I wasn't having that many orgasms anymore, and was a stone overweight and about to split up with last partner, I bought a little red vibrator and started having orgasms every night. That is what brought my libido back on track. Deciding not to lose it and making sure I didn't. I think it was just that I wasn't ready to lose that side of life. It brought up all sorts of things about dresses I wore that were sexy (long ones) but why was dressing sexily? How old was I going to be and still be sexy? I decided that while I was going to modify my clothing choices (no more holding my tummy in in skin tight things), but was also going to have an orgasm every night.

Ask gp for testosterone on the basis of lack of libido. If GP won’t prescribe, ask for referral. This may take time, so if you can afford it you could opt for private prescription eg Superdrug or Dr Newson or others.

it should work but you may need to optimise estrogen first. Given your age, you may need higher levels of estrogen as well.

And, Mounjaro should not be an issue either.

Yes, with testosterone. MY GP tested my free androgen levels which were insanely low and then she prescribed T.

Plus I spent a lot of money at bluebella.

Oh and OP, yes you prob need more oestrogen.

I started age 44 and have been on 100mcg since. (equiv 4 pumps)

Plus vaginal oestrogen.

Testosterone gel has really helped my libido. I was absolutely dead from the waist down for about 2 years and couldn't orgasm at all. Now it's not back to where it was before, libido comes and goes and it all takes longer than it used to but I do have a sex life again!

Vaginal oestrogen also helped massively with helping everything feel more comfortable in that area

No. HRT including testosterone, Estring and Ovestin for almost 10 years.
Still Still zero labido.

Following as in the same position.
@something2say that's interesting - i also feel determined not to stay as I am. I might take a page out of your book!
I do have a testosterone prescription ready for use but I'm nervous about the side effects.
I'm finding this a horrid aspect of perimenopause. I love my partner and want to feel desire!!

@Piggles1979 , I don’t think most people have side effects, the doses are very low. I haven’t had any side affects at all but it has made such a difference to my libido it’s amazing.

Testosterone worked wonders for me. Also estriol cream applied to external areas.

I do have a testosterone prescription ready for use but I'm nervous about the side effects

I know everybody is different but I was prescribed it for fatigue and lethargy and haven’t experienced any noticeable side effects, including any increase in libido.

No side effects at all, and my level of testosterone on my most recent blood test was showing higher than it should be

I have a hairier neck/chin/jaw line. But easily dealt with and doesn't bother me.

I apply it on my arm and no additional hair there.

No voice change. No aggression.

@DoYouThinkAbout what dosage and type are you using, if you don't mind me asking?

Also discovered that coconut oil is perfectly OK to use as a daily lubricant. Didn't know that before.

Yes huge difference with testosterone and topical oestrogen (on top of regular HRT). It did take around 6 months to feel a difference but I have my sex drive back and things feel normal finally

Eek, not entirely true. Not safe to use with condoms, and can trigger yeast infections so not suitable for all.

I'm on 3mg of Elleste Solo
Slynd for progesterone.
Testogel - pea size dose daily.
Estring
Daily Ovestin. Been in this regime about 2 years (apart from the Slynd, thats about 6 months).

Been on every HRT available in the UK and this is by far the most effective regime for me.

I did find testosterone worked, but it also gave me nausea. I seem to be the only person this has happened to.

I tried it twice and the exact same thing happened, stuck it out for a month or so, but it was like being in the fjrsr trimester of pregnancy again.

Has anyone had this issue and got past it ? Wondering if I tried it longer if it would get better. I was using one small blob every other day.

I didn't get any other weird side effects on voice or hair though.

Vaginal estrogen, definitely!! used internally AND externally, over whole vulva. Hugely helps sensation and health

depending on where you’re at, it may take a few weeks of regular application before you feel a difference.

If you stop using it things revert, so many people get in to a regular maintenance regime of say twice a week or so, to keep things good