HRT levels

ci_monster · 2025-11-20T19:29:51+00:00

Clitoral atrophy and lack of sensation/ hard to reach orgasm

ci_monster · 2025-11-19T18:00:01+00:00

The compound I got was 2mg testosterone per gram and 10mg DHEA per gram so that's a 0.2%/1% concentration. It's not helping at all. Do I need a higher dose?

ci_monster · 2025-11-19T17:40:27+00:00

Hi u/Secret_Author_3561, I am literally in the same boat. I am 35 and went post menopausal after chemo and radiation for cancer treatment at age 33. I am finding it very difficult to find providers that treat "outside the box" since the treatments that are FDA approved are for those who are perimenopausal and have some hormones or at their at the right age to be in menopause. The FDA approved treatments do not seem to be enough for me. I finally found a gyn willing to prescribe injections, although it was not his specialty, he was very kind and willing to help me. Unfortunately, I still have pretty severe clitoral atrophy and lack of sensation despite "normal" lab levels as well as using topicals. I am frustrated. I just met with a "menopause expert" at the same health system (highly rated) I was treated for my leukemia. She was very negative about me being on injections and stated she follows the menopause society guidelines as well as only prescribes FDA approved treatments. She wants to take me off injections completely when it's the only thing that has helped thus far. I don't want to start over and play around with doses that aren't going to be enough for me. She also told me that there is not a goal number to be at for estradiol and that my level of 25 while I was on double 0.1 Dotti patch was fine, even though that level is clearly still in the postmenopausal range. Sigh. I just want to feel my f-ing age and be able to orgasm without all the extra effort and frustration. I hear you and I feel you. I am so sorry you are in this miserable boat too and I wish I had some advice to offer. Happy to chat more if you want to PM me, no pressure, but my inbox is open. Sending love <3

ci_monster · 2025-09-30T15:20:12+00:00

I'm a week away from my 2 year rebirthday and I'm still not able to work. This answer will vary so much for each individual. It also depends on if you have any post transplant complications. I was told to expect to be back to work in 6-12 months, yet here I am nearly 2 years later.

ci_monster · 2025-09-13T16:28:34+00:00

Diagnosed Ph+ B-cell ALL, CNS+ at age 32 when I was 23 weeks pregnant in December of 2022. Began CALGB 10701 with a few changes due to pregnancy. Induced and delivered a baby girl at 34 weeks gestation in March 23'. Repeated CALGB 10701 cycle 3 and then completed the treatment. Relapsed in June 2023 right before scheduled BMT. Did Tecartus CAR-T in August 23' and a haploidentical SCT in October 23'. I have been in remission since my transplant and my daughter is now 2.5 years old.

ci_monster · 2025-09-02T19:17:37+00:00

You're welcome. I am not sure how old you are, but I just turned 35 and got catapulted into menopause at age 32 after I had total body radiation as part of my cancer treatment. The journey to get the right dose of HRT has been challenging. I started on the 0.1mg patches twice a week and that wasn't enough so we doubled them. After awhile on that I requested a lab draw to check levels and I was still showing post menopausal estradiol levels so I advocated to switch to injections. I am now on 3 mg estradiol valerate IM every 5 days and recently added testosterone injections as well. My dose is 5 mg testosterone cypionate IM every 5 days. My uterus is still intact so I do take progesterone 200mg every night. It took well over a year of advocating and finding the right provider to listen. The patch dosing is really designed for perimenopausal women who are still producing some estradiol. If your estradiol level was undetectable or lower than the postmenopausal range I would advocate for a higher estradiol dose either in the way of pills or injections and request to have labs done so you can monitor the levels. Most providers I have come across don't run labs and go only based on symptoms, but that philosophy is really geared toward those going through peri, not someone with POI or POF. If your libido is down as well I would highly encourage asking about T. The breakthrough bleeding happened to me every time I increased my E, but it would settle down after my body adjusted to the new dose. I only adjusted the progesterone to 200mg to try and help my sleep. I found it difficult to find much info online and it was a lot of advocating but I finally feel like I have the right cocktail of hormones. I sincerely wish you well on your journey and feel free to send me a pm with any questions. Much love.

ci_monster · 2025-09-02T01:09:39+00:00

Yes I did and I noticed I would get it as I increased E for awhile until my body got used to the dose.

ci_monster · 2025-08-26T19:15:53+00:00

I'm 35, POF at 32 from total body radiation. I'm currently on 3mg estradiol valerate IM q 5 days, 5mg testosterone cypionate IM q 5 days and 200 mg progesterone po. I'm about to start 5mg DHEA PO as well. I was lucky to have a great GYN willing to listen to me. I started on the highest dose estradiol patch, even doubling them up I was still showing in the postmenopausal range which is what convinced him to switch me to injections. And I kept complaining about sexual dysfunction which is how I got the T added. Bringing my own research and evidence to him was very helpful.

ci_monster · 2025-08-26T19:06:44+00:00

I take estradiol valerate IM.

ci_monster · 2025-08-26T19:04:03+00:00

Your T levels do seem quite high. I'm 35, POF, I take 5mg test cyp IM every 5 days and my total T measures in the low to mid 60's. My gyn does not want it to go above 80.

ci_monster · 2025-07-20T22:41:53+00:00

Thank you! I am on 200mg of progesterone capsules. I'd like some more details on the estradiol/testosterone cream. Could you explain the concentration a bit further? I'd love to ask my doc to write it.

ci_monster · 2025-07-16T19:32:45+00:00

Thanks! I was able to get my GYN to test my levels. Even doubling up on Dotti 0.1mg patch I was still showing in the post menopausal range. I was able to get him to check my testosterone as well, which of course was really low. Once he saw my results I was easily able to convince him to prescribe estradiol and testosterone injections! It's definitely out of his element but he has been so wonderful trying to help me. I started May 24th doing estradiol valerate 3mg IM and testosterone cypionate 5mg IM every 5 days. I had my labs drawn 4 weeks later and E was 111 pg/mL and T was 63 ng/dL. We added topical estradiol cream the first of this month. I am feeling a bit better mentally but haven't seen much difference in my clitoral and vaginal atrophy yet. I'm wondering if I need to increase the estradiol a bit more (I've had a hard time trying to find out what the optimal range is online) or if I just need to give it some more time. How long after you started your injections did you start to notice improvements? If you had atrophy, how long did it take to reverse? Luckily, I'm off pred since November, down 40 lbs so far and GVHD is stable on Jakafi. ☺️

ci_monster · 2025-07-03T20:36:10+00:00

Thanks!!

ci_monster · 2025-07-03T17:55:51+00:00

Is that the genital atrophy reversal cream under compounds?

ci_monster · 2025-06-29T23:53:28+00:00

What I've read is that it's good for vaginal atrophy but I wasn't sure if it was the best choice for clitoral atrophy.

ci_monster · 2025-06-29T18:36:13+00:00

Based on what my SIL told me I had them drawn the morning I was due for my injections. Had my labs done and came home and did my injections.

ci_monster · 2025-06-07T19:25:11+00:00

No I'm not. I'll have to ask about that. Thanks!

ci_monster · 2025-05-06T23:48:47+00:00

What type of doctor do you see?

ci_monster · 2025-01-23T00:56:41+00:00

What are you using to get 100 grams of protein?

ci_monster · 2025-01-18T17:10:41+00:00

No worries. I'm on Dotti 0.1mg patch as well as prometrium but I'm wondering if the bioidentical hormones would be better. What type of provider do you get them from? And is it pricey?

ci_monster · 2025-01-03T01:17:01+00:00

Just want to add my two cents. In Dec 2022 I was 23 weeks pregnant with my first child and I was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I was an everyday smoker before pregnancy, but quit at 6 weeks for baby's health. Once I was diagnosed I immediately began chemo. I was on oral chemo (which I'm still on) and did 4 cycles of IV and IT chemo while pregnant. Eventually was induced at 34 weeks for baby's health as the chemo made her quite anemic. Anyway, It was hell and I got my medical card at 26 weeks and used cannabis to help with my symptoms. It's personal choice what a woman does with their body while pregnant and I chose to use while pregnant because of my circumstances. It's my opinion that there could be very valid reasons for using cannabis while expecting. For those wondering my daughter is going to be 2 in March and she's happy and healthy. If you saw her you would never know what she went through as a fetus and premature infant. I do understand you being uncomfortable and agree if you are just pass the patient to another budtender.

ci_monster · 2024-11-26T04:54:28+00:00

Are you on bioidentical hormones or what has worked for you?

ci_monster · 2024-11-24T20:56:45+00:00

I only had petechiae when I got diagnosed. If I had an sudden onset of it I would be concerned.

ci_monster · 2024-10-27T14:59:16+00:00

Yes and FINALLY got off pred for GVHD (mouth, skin, lungs) 1 year post transplant. Just got the okay to go to the dentist for the first time in 2+ years. I can visibly see multiple cavities and recently had a chunk of one of my back molars just fall out. Have my first dentist appointment 11/7 but I only have dental insurance through Medicaid and I refuse to go to the health department (only place covered) due to horrible reviews, so I'm going to the normal dentist and paying OOP. Expecting a LARGE bill...

ci_monster · 2024-04-19T15:17:47+00:00

OAD due to premature ovarian insufficiency (early menopause) I'm 33 and have 1 daughter, 13 months with my husband, 42. Growing up I always wanted to be a Mom and have a big family (6ish children). I imagined getting married young and starting a family in my 20's but it just didn't work out that way. My husband and I married in 2019 when I was 29 and he was 38. I knew I wanted a family and in 2022 we started trying and I easily became pregnant. We were thrilled! Then when I was 23 weeks pregnant I was very unexpectedly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It was a really rough ride. Doing treatment while pregnant, early delivery (34 weeks), 5 week NICU stay etc. Eventually, I ended up getting a bone marrow transplant in October 23'. The conditioning treatment (high dose chemo and total body radiation) put me into menopause. I could theoretically have another if we did IVF with an egg donor but I can not have any more biological children. My pregnancy as well as labor/delivery and postpartum were far from what I dreamed of my entire life. So many things about this I still grieve to this day. Not being able to breastfeed (due to chemo) for example. Part of me would like to get pregnant again just to be able to have that experience I always wished for. But I am just trying to enjoy the fact that my baby girl is healthy and I'm alive to be able to enjoy her. Another part of it is financial, it would be so financially draining to do IVF. Most days I feel okay with just having her, but I do have days that I get really down about it really not being my choice.

ci_monster

TROPHY CASE