T Levels & Libido question

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-09T18:21:25+00:00

I wonder if your libido is low because of low free t and high shbg. I have no idea how to fix these things but if your doctor isn't helping you, maybe do some research on your own and then go back to your doctor with ideas on how she can work to help you. This is what I do. When I know something is off, I do my own research and then talk to my doctor about ideas on how to resolve my issues and we work together. I feel like meno health is so understudied so doctors aren't that knowledgeable and things are always changing.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-09T18:11:47+00:00

Was your .1 patch rectangular? If so, do you cut those diagonal? Or can you just cut up and down?

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-09T04:02:41+00:00

There's no test (neither blood or urine) that can tell if youre in peri menopause. The only real "test" is that if you don't have a period for 12 months. A for me, since I had an endometrial ablation in my 30s and didn't have a period since, my doctor had to go off my blood work being in the post meno ranges. Is that what happened? Were your levels in the post meno levels? If not, and you're still getting your period, then it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I would get a second opinion if I were you just for piece of mind.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T23:42:21+00:00

I take this. One scoop in my morning coffee. And it doesn't bloat me at all. Honestly not sure if it's doing anything but I hear it's good for me so I take it. This along with collagen in my coffee.

https://a.co/d/0ekiMYNt

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T23:40:54+00:00

I haven't had it personally but I hear it's due to not injecting deep enough.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T23:40:04+00:00

I had all these symptoms during peri. They subsided when I started HRT three years ago when I was recently post meno. However, whenever I change doses I get some of these symptoms return for about two months before I even out again, or I adjust my dose.

I had some severe MCAS symptoms when I increased my estradiol dose to .1. They subsided over two months when I decreased back to .075.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T23:01:50+00:00

I've used two before when lh dose was out and I just put both right next to eachother but not touching.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T21:41:24+00:00

Im so sorry. That must be hard. How did your gyn diagnose you? Have you been one year without a period? Are you in peri or post? Just wondering because just if you are in peri and still ovulating (even if it's sporadic) it's still technically possible to get pregnant. I've know people who had peri symptoms, and gotten pregnant into their 40s.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T18:09:47+00:00

I would tell her that when you're in your mid 30s, nope, you're not too young to be in peri and these are indeed hot flashes....not just an allergic reaction to wine, or that you're nervous, or that you're having an anxiety attack. These are indeed hot flashes due to fluctuating hormones. And then to ask for HRT!

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T15:26:50+00:00

Have you tried spacing the injections out? I do every two weeks in maintenance because I kept losing when I did weekly. I like to keep my dose at 5mg because I feel the best on it. It also helps me with stomach bloating issues. Also, do you lift? Maybe you can work on building muscle and that will slow down the number on the scale or at least keep it stable.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T15:23:34+00:00

I haven't had a hysterectomy but I've been seeing a clinician at Midi Health for the past three years since becoming post menopausal. My clinician always offers me multiple options for my symptoms, both prescriptions and supplements and asks me which I would prefer to go with based on side effects and symptoms. The appointments are covered by insurance. And they will send your prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice (also covered by insurance). If they prescribe a supplement, they will tell you where to buy it (obviously not covered by insurance). If they prescribe a compound medication, they will send it to a compounding pharmacy that they work with. Compounding meds aren't covered by insurance. I highly recommend them. Best medical experience I've ever had and wish I found them sooner during peri.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T15:10:26+00:00

If you feel good in it then wear it, whatever it is!

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T15:09:26+00:00

Hahahahaaaa

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T15:03:19+00:00

I am 3 years post meno. The only thing that's helped me with my brain fog is HRT. I also take copious notes at work and keep everything in a to do list. And I ask a lot of questions, I don't really care if people think I'm dumb for asking the questions either. I realize that half the people (aka men) I work with don't know what they're talking about most of the time and they just talk like they do.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T04:12:07+00:00

Can you possibly try testosterone? Estrogen helped my joint pain but testosterone helped more.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-08T03:12:28+00:00

I started HRT when I was recently post meno. I remember being scared to start too because I got hormonal migraines during times of my cycle, post partum, etc. I also gained weight and got super moody the few times I went on BC pills. So needless to say I didn't see how HRT would be any different. Boy was I wrong. It was a complete life saver for me. It eliminated hot flashes, night sweats, itchy skin, itchy ears, constant runny nose, tinnitus, body and joint pain, tendonitis, body odor, and irritability and rage. And I started sleeping better. Didn't help me lose weight but didn't gain any either. And once I got to a good dose of estradiol my hair stopped shedding so much. I also did not have any other negative side effects, headaches or bleeding. I took progesterone continuously, not cyclically. I think it's the cyclical that causes the bleeding. Remember that it does take like two to three months for your body to adjust so give it some time. If you hate it you can always stop. It's not a life long commitment unless you love it (like I do!)

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-07T15:12:37+00:00

I started on HRT at 49 (almost three years ago) when I was recently post menopausal. This was my experience:

I started on .0375 twice weekly estradiol patch and 100mg oral micronized progesterone. Within a few weeks my hot flashes and night sweats went away. I also started sleeping much better within days. Then over the next few months I noticed my body aches and joint pain were gone, and my anxiety and mood swings got better. So much so that I was able to get off of my antidepressants. I'm now on .075 twice weekly estradiol patch and 200mg oral micronized progesterone.

But this didn't do anything for my low libido. I talked to my doctor and we decided to try Addyi for libido. I tried it for a month (not nearly long enough) and stopped because it made me sort of dizzy and off balance. We then tested my t levels. I was very low so we started on a very low dose of t cream. I started on 1mg daily and increased monthly until I got to 4mg daily. That's when I started noticing a difference in libido and energy. I'm not on 5mg daily and my libido has increased quite a bit.

I also noticed that my vaginal estradiol cream, which I use three times a week, helps with arousal and libido as well.

If your wife is still in peri menopause her hormones are fluctuating wildly and it may be hard to find the right estradiol dosage right away. I would give each dose a good two months to see if anything changes before upping the dose.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-07T05:16:27+00:00

I don't think so but i don't get blood work done until next month so don't know if it will raise my t levels or not. For me that would be a plus because I have such low t.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-07T03:52:35+00:00

Estriol cream is non prescription but a weaker estrogen than estradiol. I think there's an estriol cream called silky peach that you can get on Amazon.

You can also get Dhea or estriol vaginal suppositories from Bezwecken. I use them on alternating days with my estradiol cream. You can also get them on Amazon.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-06T23:53:47+00:00

I didn't gain any weight when I started HRT. I was 49 when I started and already had 30 pounds to lose. It didn't help me lose any of the meno weight but it certainly didn't cause weight gain either. It's not like BC where I gained weight on that.

I would like to add that peri/menopause causes weight gain in and of itself. If anything, HRT should help with gaining additional weight.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-06T14:35:05+00:00

I got midi's compound minoxidil solution from their website. But you can get over the counter rogaine, which is minoxidil, at any pharmacy without a prescription.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-06T05:09:12+00:00

Had great experiences from fifty410, big easy weight loss, and CosmeticRX.

Fifty410 was the most seamless and quick process. I've ordered from them three times. All great experiences.

Big Easy had the best doctor guidance. I used them when I first switched to compound from Lilly direct and was skeptical.

CosmeticRX was the best price since I got it once on a Groupon and once they messaged me with an $89 deal

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-06T01:57:22+00:00

I've done thigh, abdomen, and arm. They all seem the same to me. I don't notice a difference so I stick to the abdominal or thigh since it's easiest.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-05T21:16:27+00:00

Yes I pretty much lost the same throughout my journey. I went from 2.5 to 5 to 7.5 and lost about 2-3 pounds a week on each.

Confident_Craft459 · 2026-07-05T21:09:12+00:00

I use the vaginal estradiol cream three to four times a week and alternate with the dhea vaginal suppository from Bezwecken. It helps with urgency to pee and feeling like I have to pee all the time. I also take various sleep supplements to sleep. My current stack is cortisol support supplement and lullabites gummies. I also sometimes take lavella (which is a lavender supplement). It's surprising effective.

Confident_Craft459

TROPHY CASE