Lady Hormone Levels

[Calli66]

Just got my results for progesterone, estradiol, testosterone free and total, and DHEA sulfate, and they are low, low, low, and low. Which I figured, because I have no libido. I don't see my doc for followup until March---don't know what I'm going to about it, if anything. Don't know if it's "normal" for being 61. Anybody else have their hormones low? Any comments?

The other day I came across a new "term" for that non-sexual space where I exist: HSDD - Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. It's when you don't have any sexual thoughts, fantasies, dreams, etc., and when this condition is causing relationship stress. Naming this sounds a bit ridiculous to me. Perfect state of mind to have if you plan to live the contemplative life, eh?

Calli

[Suzie]

I just came off the pill so I can get accurate testing done of those hormones. I'm expecting similar results to yours.
How do you feel about all this? Has your doc recommended bio-identical hormones or anything? I think it's Dr Phil's wife who wrote a book about all this stuff.

I also feel like joining a contemplative order. Mostly to escape my kids as well as marital demands!

Suzie

[Carolina]

I take DHEA.
Use an estrogen gel twice a day.   Estrogel.
Use a testosterone gel twice a day.

I have a libido.  Granted not what I had in my 'younger days', but it's there!

It's always a trade off, in terms of risk/reward and medications.

But completely losing my sexuality was beyond depressing.

I was FULLY post menopausal at 41.   That was 28 years ago.

So, I have relied on medications a very long time.

Each individual must decide for herself, with medical advice of course.

"There's no free lunch"

Kisses

Elaine

[Calli66]

I figure I might try the gels and DHEA and see if it helps. I had a prescription for compounded testosterone gel 2% and also tried Bi-est in the past, and they never seemed to do anything for me, so I stopped. Looking back though, I think I had just a tiny bit of libido then, whereas it's down to zero now. I never did use the gels more than once a day.

Elaine: are the gels from a compounding pharmacy? What strength of testosterone do you use---I remember you posting this before--sorry about asking again. And thanks for the older woman perspective.

Other than helping with libido, what other effects do you notice from taking hormones, and how often do you get your levels checked? I had gotten scared off several years ago when my doctor was warning me even about Premarin cream---that it should be balanced out with some Progesterone.

Do you feel that the hormone supplements have any effect on the Sjogren's?

Thanks,
Calli

[ohiolady]

Calli,

I'm 55 and use a estrogen patch and natural progesterone cream.  I had a hysterectomy at age 36 so I've been on hormones for years.  I am one of those women who needs my estrogen.  The patch has helped my libido.  I know it is a tough decision.  You can give it a try and see the difference.  I know we all worry about breast cancer. 

Anna

[Sooki]

I've been on bioidentical hormones for about 15 years (I'm 61 now).  I had low quality of life before hormones (couldn't sleep,constant flashing, etc.) and tried the regular ones.  They were horrible, cramping, it felt like my uterus was twisting, chemical taste in my mouth.  Then I tried the bioidentical ones.  It took a few tries to get the dosage right, but then it was like normal.  No chemical feeling, no side effects, just normal.  Pretty wonderful (at $56/month).  But I wonder if I should be on them forever.  I'm trying to ramp down.  I've tried this before and got back to no sleep, hot flashes, and now recalcitrant yeast infections.  This time, I'm ramping slowly - it'll take me a couple of years to be done altogether.  I'm not sure why I'm doing this except maybe the hype against HRT in the press and the cost.  But, for HRT, I highly recommend bioidentical hormones, from a compounding pharmacy - I was on Triest and Progesterone.

[Carolina]

The DHEA is over the counter, and i get it on line from Puritan's Pride.

I take the 50 mg, once a day.

I checked out DHEA on line and it the Mayo Clinic cited it as possibly helpful for several conditions.

There don't seem to be any serious dangers in taking the dosage I take.

The EstroGel is estrodiol at 0.06%, and I use it twice a day,  It is an RX.  I rub it on my arm.

The Testosterone gel is 5mg/gm, compounded by Women's International Pharmacy in Wisconsin.  I rub it on my other arm twice a day.  It is a RX.

I am 28 years post menopausal, with a hysterectomy 12 years ago.   I think that the supplement and hormones improve my sanity, sleep and sense of well being.

I waited 4 or 5 years to take ANY hormones after i became post menopausal and I had the miserable hot flashes and so on.

I gave in and started on hormones.

Since the hysterectomy I don't have to worry about taking progesterone.

There's no breast cancer history in my family.

But as I said, it's always a risk/reward.  And when things go 'bad' you always forget that you had a 'reward' and regret the 'risk'.

That's just life.

Kisses

Elaine

[Calli66]

Thanks everyone for the replies---now at least I have a starting point and an idea about what people are taking. I may try the bio-identicals. There is a compounding pharmacy here, so I just need to get with the doctor and see what she recommends.

C