Estradiol & Compounded Testosterone??

Hi,
I have been on the Bi-est and Testos 1% for over 4 mos. now and have found that my libido has not increased any, I'm having hot flashes, can't sleep much and I've been depressed a lot lately!

I used to be on Estradiol pill form with wonderful results except no sex drive. My question is, I am considering going back on the pill form of Estradiol and want to know if any of you have stayed with the compounded testosterone while being on the Estradiol?

I am going in 2 weeks for my 2 year post-op check but really think I need to go back on the non-compounded estrogen. My pharmacist has tried all kinds of combinations and I'm still having hot flashes and don't sleep well at night, as well as the depression setting in. When I was on the pill form I had no hot flashes but was just kind of on auto-pilot emotionally, but I'm thinking that was better than this depression I've had lately. Any advice with the test. and estradiol combo? I'd appreciate any advice, I'm sure for some people the compounded hormones just aren't the right thing, or maybe some compounding pharmacists are better than others at figuring this all out. Help please.

Goingtocarolina
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TAH, Stage IV endo, fibroids, bleeding cyst.

If you did well on the pill form of estradiol, I don't think it would hurt to give that a shot along with the testosterone. Finding what works for you can be a matter of trial and error and mixing and matching.

Goingtocarolina, Have you tried estradiol via the skin patch? This works for me. You are on 1% testosterone creme, what is your dose in mg. per day or week? I am using the sublingual troche at 2mg a day. It is working very well for me. The compounding pharmacy can mix this up in any strength to get to any dose you require.

Hi goingtocarolina,
You might want to ask the pharmacist if he can increase the percentage of estradiol in the cream. Not sure it will help.
I think the testosterone is a good idea. I take a compounded testosterone that is in a capsule and that is also slow release (made by Spence pharmacy) it is 1 mg.
My sister uses the testosterone cream. We are both happy with our choices.
Heather

Hi Heather,
Do you notice side effects from the pill form of testosterone? My pharmacist has increased the % over the past months and nothing seems to be helping the mood swings. Today is my 2 yr. anniv. of the hyster. and I would think by now I would be stable w/my hormones. At least when I was on the estradiol pill form I didn't have any mood swings or hot flashes, just no libido. It might be worth a try for the pill form of test., I just don't want the "male" side effects they talk about. Right now, I just notice some facial hair growth but not too much else on the cream, am still not happy with the libido though. Thanks for your advice. I appreciate everyone's response to mys question. Goingtocarolina

I don't have any of the negative side effects from the testosterone that I take. When I tried testosterone about 8 years ago I did have some negative side effects, but i think they are made better now, i use a different pharmacy, and my age has probably altered my body's response
My testost. pills are powdered capsules not under the tongue troche or hard solid pills. I think it depends on where you have the testosterone compounded and how your particular body responds. I still don't have a very good libido, but I never did and I just lost an ovary in addition to having had menopause for @11 years. I started in my 30's before any surgery.
I cannot function at all without the estrogen I take, and am thinking of trying the pill for. Not sure which pill to take, since I do much better with the bio-identical forms. It sounds to me like you need to take more estrodiol.
Estrogen & testost. serve very different functions in the body, so I never think of just taking one or the other. I think many women need both since we naturally have both in our bodies. I realize it is a very difficult to know what you need since we all have to guess. It is so unfortunate that the proper testing has not been established as a standard protocol for women.
Thank you for your response.
ruby

Hi Heather,
Where do you go to get the pill form of testos? Do you get it at your compounding pharmacy. I go for my 2 yr. post op check next week and want to discuss all the options w/ my gyn at that appt. She is very easy going about the hormone jungle and if I go prepared, she will let me try what I ask for. I tried upping the Estradiol in the bio- ident. 2 mos ago and seemed to do better but still am finding that I'm depressed more and more emotional.

When I was on the Estradiol pill I didn't have any of those side effects. I am just 40 so need to find something that will get me through the next 10-15 yrs. since I've been told we need the hormones until that time. I can't stand not having the libido anymore (as can my loving husband). I read so many posts that the compounded test. made all the difference for so many, I was so excited to try it and basically no real change for me. Sometimes I think the pain I had was worth more than living w/out the drive and having the hot flashes etc. I just want so bad to be normal again. Thanks for listening and the advice.

Hi,
I get my testos. from Spence pharmacy (mail order)--1-800-209-7364. They are in Texas. You might want to ask the pharmacist or your doc about the libido prob. Sometimes the pharmacists make suggestions about available options. Like additional topical creams etc.
In re: to the estrogent-you might also ask about adding even more estadiol to the est. cream you get now. Some say it can make your levels to high. I may try the cream myself bec. my patches are to pricey now without insur. , although they work well.
Were the estadiol pills you took bio ident. and from a compounding pharm.?
heather

Hi Heather,
The estradiol pill was not bi-ident. I didn't know I could get them in a compounded pill form, I thought they are just creams. I pay $30 mo. for the compounded creams and my ins. is only $25 for the non-compounded pill form which I was on before. I will have to ask the pharmacist about the test. cream, I've gone up on % since I first started, but I don't use it everyday. I appreciate your advice and help, it is so frustrating trying to get this all worked out. Thanks again. TS

I have been on Vivelle Dot since my surgery and it has worked well for me. I have been on the HRT site lately trying to get more info on this very confusing stuff.

When did any of you need to go on anything other than the estrogen? The Vivelle dot was all my DR prescribed for me. I have tried reading up on HRT but as I said, it has been very confusing, and seems to get more so the more I read/lol. Do I need anything else?

Sue