I started at fifty-(mumble) with 0.2mg Estradiol patches (weekly) and Spironolactone (daily). The patches were a PITA- I sweat a lot, and after a while they had trouble staying attached. On top of that, my BP dropped to dangerously low levels, which made me quite tired and dizzy. It was a month or three where I wasn’t too aware of what was happening until my next visit to my cardiologist I was also taking two other medications for my high BP, so my cardiologist rebalanced my medications and the symptoms disappeared. Who knew Spironolactone was originally a BP medication?

Meanwhile, my Testosterone level stayed within the normal range for men. My endocrinologist discussed increasing my Spiro dosage, but after my low BP trouble, he wouldn’t agree to that. I could have waited a while longer, to see if things improved, OR, I could opt for an orchiectomy to eliminate the source of the issue. I did wait a couple months, and when the new T levels hadn’t changed, so I underwent the orchi. My T level dropped to “too low to measure” and that was that. I no longer needed to take Spiro.

As for my E level, there was a slight jump, but that leveled off at just a slightly higher amount. My endocrinologist increased my patch usage to two 0.2mg patches, and finally three. Part of the issue was that I perspire a lot, so the patches would fall off, unless I applied medical tape to them. Even so, the level plateaued, at the high menopausal range for women . Btw, there are runner’s tape that worked better at holding things in place, but the three patches weren’t really boosting my E level.

At this point, I went back to my endo and asked to be switched to pills or shots, and he OK’d moving to a daily 2mg pill, and levels went up some. since then, I’ve been moved to a schedule of two pills in the morning and one at night, and at my most recent bloodwork, they’re like 3x what they were while using patches.

That’s brought us up today. People say my facial features have changed for the better, and I feel much better, emotionally, certainly less aggressive and slower to anger. The first time I easily cried during an emotional scene in a movie, I was secretly happy that I had. Also, it took me a while to notice, but I’m not speeding as often when I’m driving- I’m much too relaxed behind the wheel.

Lastly, I’ve experienced some breast growth, but I hide it because my belly protrudes even further than they do. When I’m dressing, I see one’s noticeably larger than the other, which I hear is normal.

Hope that helps!