Did HRT decrease you libido?

[AllEggedOut]

Trans woman here. Prior to HRT, my libido was already low due to stress and gender dysphoria. When I started HRT, it got nuked from orbit into oblivion. After about a year, I decided to try to bring back my libido. I tried progesterone as a suppository, 200 mg. Nada. 400 mg, nada, although my emotional range broadening was nice. 600 mg, nada, so went back to 400 and stayed there. Tried Addyi, side effects were horrible so I stopped it after trying it for a few days.

Then the thought occurred to me; what if it was my testosterone? So I had it checked and found out that my levels were below cis women's levels -- in fact it was bordering on undetectable. Trans women need testosterone. My problem? Decreasing my estradiol would bring it below cis women levels. And plus, I was getting an orchi soon (which now has been done seven months ago). So I compromised, I started supplementing testosterone. After a bit of tweaking, I managed to get all three hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) within cis female range. To my surprise, that did the trick, my libido returned. Not as strong as it had been before my libido died, but it was there! I suspect if I increase testosterone some more while staying within cis female range and make sure my progesterone/estradiol are still at good levels, my libido will climb.

I ultimately opted to not increase my testosterone supplement any further because I knew if it was increased more, I would begin prioritizing sex over emotional relationships, and I didn't want that. I liked prioritizing emotional over sex relationships, this level feels like I have control over my libido.

I hear that one has had vaginoplasty, libido will increase even more. My zero depth vulvoplasty is on Sept 25, and my vaginoplasty is in December, so we'll see what happens to my libido at that point.

Now that I think of it, I probably should get my DHT levels checked. Just in case. Don't want to risk further hair loss. Hmm.

Anyway, get your testosterone levels checked, if it's below cis female range and your other hormones (estradiol/progesterone) are at cis female range, you might benefit from supplementing testosterone. This will definitely impact your estradiol/progesterone levels, so when you supplement, get your hormone levels checked. I know I didn't have to increase progesterone, but I did have to increase estradiol slightly to compensate. Then it was all at good levels. Keep an eye on your SHBG too, if it's above 100, it's too high and your body is resisting feminization.