Anyone on Estratest?

I know that while going through another thread I noticed someone had asked if anyone else was on Estratest. I AM! I've been on it since 1 week post op. Immediately after surgery they gave me the climara patch. It itched, so I took it off and at my one week check he gave me the script for the estratest. I wanted both the estrogen and testosterone, as I wanted to be sure my sex drive wouldn't suffer! I have noticed some acne coming, but I'm hoping it was just my body getting used to the hormones. I was having problems sleeping though, so we added some extra estrogen. I'm doing better, and except for the acne, am very happy with the estratest! How is everyone else doing??

Jennifer
TAH/BSO 12/10/01

Hi Jennifer!

I am on Estratest HS (half-strength), and have been doing OK. I am not sure yet if it's going to be the potion for me; I've only been on it for a month. My GP wants me to give it 3 months.

I have read that Estratest will tend to cause oily skin and acne. I have dry skin to begin with, so it has not been an issue for me. The insert on my prescription reads as follows:

"Possible Side Effects:
Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include acne, changes in weight, breast tenderness, deepening of voice, nausea, or change in desire for sex. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor."

If you would like to email me for further info or discussion, please do not hesitate to do so. I'll be happy to share any thing I can.

Best wishes!

Hi Jennifer!

I'm on Estratest HS and doing fine. I too had a patch in the hospital but elected to take oral pill, and was glad for the testosterone for the same reason you described.

I've had problems with acne since before surgery (take Minocycline daily), so it's hard for me to tell if the few breakouts I've had are due to Estratest or just me (I think it's just me!) I've had no hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, or anything like that.

I have noticed a bit of a short fuse this past week, but I really think that's just due to normal everyday life - kids back in school, I return to work tomorrow and know that is on my mind - you know, just getting back into a routine after being pampered for so long! I'm working hard to not let it become a habit. At my six week check this past Thursday, doc said I will most likely sleep more soundly as I become more active - and since I don't have any other symptoms didn't want to make an adjustment at this time. I think he's right - I've been more active as the week as gone on and have been sleeping much better. And again - I wasn't a sound sleeper before surgery.

So, there you go. Right now I'm a happy Estratest customer. Time will tell, but for now, I don't want to fix what isn't broken!

Good luck and hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.

I just had my surgery on 1/2/01, and I am on estratest full strength- I am doing great! I had problems with breakouts on my chin before surgery, so it will be interesting to see what my skin will be like now, but I havn't had any breakouts since surgery. I have had no problems with night sweats, etc..., and I don't sleep like a baby, but that's cause I am still having pain. I am only 28 and I was so scared to lose my ovaries-but my recovery has been a dream so far. I LOVE this website!!!! Hope all of you have a great day-I am thinking good thoughts for all of you.

Hello,

For three months after surgery I was on .3 mg Premarin. I had night sweats and over time I noticed the lack of testosterone, but generally I was doing very well. So when it came time to start on HS Estratest, I was ready. I took it for 2 weeks and since my night sweats had not improved, Dr said to go to full strength. Well, within hours of that dose I was nauseated, headachy and irritable. I took it the second day and got worse. So the Dr said to go back to HS and supplement with .3 Premarin again. But I was reading (search the internet for Susan Rako) about how even HS Estratest has too much testosterone in it so I decided to chop the HS in half and supplement with .3 Premarin. I immediatley felt better. Now my only problem is I am getting pimples on my chin, which started about the same time I first went on the Estratest. I'm not sure if it is the estrogen or the testosterone that is causing the breakouts. Must be the testosterone since the Premarin didnt cause it before. I'm curious to know if anyone else has tried this method of cutting the HS in half. I havent seen it mentioned anywhere and I thought it was a brilliant idea to be able reduce the dosage when the manufacturer seems to think "2 sizes fit all".

Thank god for this site to help us get our dosages right. Most doctors sure dont seem to be ready or willing to help beyond writing the script and sending us on our way.

I had a patch when I left the hospital about seven weeks ago with a tah/bso. I found that I still had night sweats, insomnia, muscle pain, etc. My primary gyn changed my prescription to Estratest HS. I have been on it for about two weeks. I notice that I have headaches and still have insomnia. I have to give it a few more weeks so I'm hoping to hear from others with positive and negative experiences.

Greetings! I asked to have a testosterone hormone added to my estrogen (I was taking two .625 Premarin) because I was having many hot flashes, insomnia, aching muscles, and I was always tired. My doctor changed me to one .625 Premarin and one HS Estratest just after Thanksgiving. The hot flashes were immediately reduced (although I did have "warm flashes" for about a month) and I did notice a little improvement in my insomnia. I have noticed the greatest improvement in just the last few weeks. I now sleep all night, I have no warm or hot flashes, and I am not tired all the time. My face occasionally breaks out and is noticeably oilier. I find that if I keep my hands away from my face at night (bad habit) that I don't have as much acne. DH is also quite satisfied with the additional benefits of me taking testosterone. Finally, after twenty years of marriage, we have almost equal levels of sex drive!

I have found that these synthetic hormones work well for me so I am hesitant about trying out the more natural products. Is anyone aware of health concerns I should consider about taking synthetic versus natural hormones?