AUTUMN - I think I remember that you're a GYN, right?

I am a Women's Health AKA OB/Gyn NP. Uh oh... a question :) I'll do my best answer. But first, I have been invited to a private viewing of Sponge Bob in my DD theater... I just don't think I will ever view him the same. :)
 
Autumn,

Oh, Spongebob. My DGD (dear granddaughter)loves the guy. So much she gave DH a SB poster to put in his wood shop so he wouldn't be alone while wood working.

Question: I am perimenopausal. I have been applying 2% Testosterone cream every night for a few months now. It really helped with low libido and tiredness. I was complaining about the stickiness of the cream to my Gynecologist (who I really like). She changed my prescription to 1 mg sublingual tables. Is that the same ratio of tesosterone or has she cut the dosage? I didn't think to ask her at the time. The reason I ask is because of changes in my libido again and the fact I'm starting to feel tired like I was before I started taking the Tesosterone.

Thanks for taking the time to read this?
 
Candi,

No thanks necessary, I like talkin' Women's Health topics. Always feel free to ask.

I don't have a definite answer. I am not sure how you were instructed to use the cream, but typically the instructions are to apply 1) a thin layer or 2) a pea size amount. If this is how you were instructed to use it, the actual amount of testosterone you received from the cream was dependent on the amount of cream applied. If you were using a specific amount of cream , then you received a more specific dose. For example, a cream may be dispensed in a syringe that provides 0.25mg/0.1ml. Your pharmacy should be able to answer your question more specifically.

Since you notice changes in libido and fatigue, discuss this with your gyn. It could be (and probably is) that your testosterone is low, which may be related to your own levels changing or that you are receiving less from your replacement. It can be tricky changing routes of administration because absorption changes with the route plus everyone is different. Your gyn may increase the sublingual dose or change the route of administration. The best route sometimes takes a few tries. BTW, the compounding pharmacy here in my area uses a cosmetic base so that the cream is not sticky, maybe your pharmacy could do the same.

HTH!

Autumn
 
Thanks again, Autumn.

I called my Gyn yesterday and she responded quickly. She told me to double the dose of the sublingual so we'll see what happens. I was using 1/4 teaspoon of the cream on my upper thighs. We only have one compounding pharmacy near us and it was always so inconvenient to purchase from them. My Gyn orders the sublingual for me through a company that ships it to me in the mail. Much more convenient.

I liked it much better when my body was producing these hormones for me, but perimenopause has been an interesting journey. I feel fortunate that I found a Gyn that specializes in Menopause because she is empathetic and responsive. The only down side is she has a very limited practice. Her office is only open M-TH from 8:30 to 12:00. I didn't expect to get to her so quickly.

The low dose BC pills she has prescribed along with the T has been working very well for the last few months. I just hate to be out of whack again. I'll hope for the best :7
 
Candi:

can I ask you how you knew you had low testosterone? Did your gyn do a blood test to verify?

Clare
 
About 8 years I knew I was in peri-menopause because of several symptoms I was having. I was prescribed the low dose BC pill and started doing much better. After a few months I noticed my usually very healthy libido was not so healthy. I was also having problems achieving orgasm due to less blood flow to the pelvis which is a typical problem when going through this time of life. I started getting worried that I was losing something very important because I value my sexuality. I did more and more reading and found that low libido can be a symptom of peri-menopause and menopause due to lowering testosterone levels. Another symptom of low testosterone is feeling fatigued which was also symptom I was having.

I asked my GYN if we could try Testosterone because I read that it has helped a lot of women regain their libido. My doctor doesn't believe hormonal blood tests are accurate during peri-menopause because of hormonal fluctuations. She said the best thing to do is just try it and see if it worked. She gave me a prescription and sure enough after about four weeks I started regaining my libido and feeling much more energized. So far, the only negative side affect I have is a little more thigh hair where I had applied the testosterone.
 

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