Estrogel - headaches and dizziness

Hi Spotty - that's a really good point - am quite tall and remember reading years ago that testosterone levels are higher in taller women.  The challenge is getting hold of it - it is not prescribed for women in the UK?  Where are you based? Thank youx

spotty are you in the UK?

I'm in London, I attend the Menopause Clinic in Chelsea and Westminster Hosp. - they're all really nice and really helpful.

I'm only 5'2" but seem to have quite high requirements for both testosterone and estrogen!

I'm in London. As long as I have testosterone prescribed by a consultant initially, my GP is happy to then continue prescribing.

I'm in Hereford and have a really good doctor and had a very nice gone for my hysterectomy

I only asked because although the NICE Guidelines recommend testosterone for ladies who report low sex drive it isn't recommended for anything else so GP's are reluctant to prescribe it. You've been seen at a specialist centre which is excellent.

I don't suffer from that

I know caroline. It's documented in the NICE Guidelines for low sex drive as I said but for no other reason.

Ah have read about the clinic Spotty - did your GP refer you?

Interesting - did they check your hormone levels spotty?x

 

Different woman react differently to hit just got to find the right one for them

I didn't even know there was such a clinic interesting. Although ive seen a specialist myself now and am much better. But it took awhile to get a referral

Yes the fosh levels

You are very lucky Caroline - very little knowledge or support in deepest darkest Wiltshire!x

Nor me I thought only doctors did it

I suffered from terrible depression from the age of about 12 years old. I was prescribed testosterone 6 or 7 years ago (late 40's) and it changed my life,  as far as depression goes, anyway (for me, estrogen seems to do more for the libido than testosterone).

Restricting testosterone to being prescribed for 'low sex drive' only, suggests lots of women who suffer from depression are being denied a possible remedy.

I know ChelWest are very aware of hormone 'imbalance' as a cause of depression.

It really should be more open about treatment options which acts as a deterant to seeking help. To be taken seriously you seem to have to pester the dr without trying to seem neurotic. Even when you have good reason with no ovaries!

I thought there was the possibility that I'd experienced an early menopause after a (succesful) fibroid op, though there was nothing clear cut or definitive about my symptoms or blood tests.

I researched menopause specialists, and found the Menopause clinic at Chelsea & Westminster.

I went to my GP, armed with the info I'd found, and asked for a referral to the clinic, which she kindly arranged for me.

I was only referring to the prescribing of testosterone in menopausal women

Well done you! 

Can testosterone can be prescribed for pre-menopausal depression if a GP thinks it may be useful?

They can yes, there's been a lot of research done over the last 10 years about the use of testosterone in depression but I'm not 100% if it's available on the NHS or only on a private prescription.

Thats good to know I would suffer t without hrt

Gosh, that's very good! Hopefully it's available on the NHS (for as long as it still exists!).

Off subject here but wanted to tell my experience with Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. I was suddenly an surprisingly thrown in to menopause in Aug of 2014. I was 46. NEVER had any femal or pregnancy problems. Periods came rt on dot every 28 days. I took a medication called Tramadol for fibromyalgia. I started it back 8 yrs ago. Got up to 8 a day. Started depending on it .So in May of 2014 I had to get help getting off of it at a detox center. The withdrawls were that bad!!! Horrible 5 days! Well 2 wks later got my period then BAM no more periods! I couldn't understand it. Had bloodwork done showed menopause. FSH was 111. I started bawling! I guess I just felt old an end of having babies. Anyway ended up having hormones tested via saliva. I was experiencing severe depression an anxiety. It was awful. Showed low estrogens an progesterone. So was put on Lexapro an had a vaginal suppositories made specifically my dose. 52$ a month. Well Im still battling depression an I didn't have a period (after starting hrt) until 8 months later, all of sudden a full blown period! Then again . Had to have a uterine biopsy (it was normal) an vaginal sonogram (normal). So turned out the compounding pharmacist lowered one of the estrogens just this past Nov. An no periods. Thankgoodness. But still battling depression. On my 4th antidepressant,Prozac. Its been 5 wks an not much change mentally. Im bummed about it. I just wanted to share my story of Bio-identical.im in U.S. Texas. Goodluck to all of ladies battling this menopause!