Testosterone report

Well, it's been three weeks, and I've got real mixed news. I know a number of us started recently, and I'd like to hear how you all are doing.

I did have an initial increase in energy, but I'm beginning to think it was just a general upsurge in the waves of energy I get...unfortunately they ebb, too .

And mood-wise, I think I was better off before...now I'm feeling more like I did in the PMS days. However, the biggest problem was vaginal irritation with the stuff -- I turned out, I think, to be allergic to it! I've been putting it on the inside of my arms, but I'm re-thinking the whole thing. I had high hopes for libido improvement, but instead my orgasms disappeared until the irritation went away .

I really had high hopes, and right now, I'm just relieved that I didn't pay any more than $40 for the stuff...I'm this close to ditching it completely.

How about it, friends? Is it working for you? (((Linda))) and (((Cynthia))), I know you've been really happy with it. But maybe thanks to biochemical efficiency, my progesterone is converting well enough...I'm certainly not getting what I'd hoped for...



Audrey

(((Audrey))) I'm so sorry the testosterone hasn't been helping you. You're right, it's been great for me. But as we all know, everyone is different, and everyone's balance is different. I am also on estrogen. If I weren't, I'm not sure but that it might push me too far in the wrong direction, you know? But balanced by the estrogen it works for me.

It would be interesting to see, for those of us using testosterone, whether those of us who are having more success with it are also on estrogen.

I have a theory about that, but it's only a theory and not very well thought out at this point. See, our bodies can make estrogen from testosterone, you knew that. Well, if you aren't using estrogen, or are very estrogen deprived (as those who've had adeno or endo often are by necessity), your body may grab onto that testosterone and use it all to make estrogen, leaving you with the same symptoms of too little testosterone. I know that you, Audrey, don't do well on estrogen, and so using the testosterone might just be fueling that fire, giving you the symptoms you get on too much estrogen, whereas if you were already on estrogen there wouldn't be the drive for your body to take that testosterone and use it to turn into estrogen.

It's kind of like those guys I posted about once who took too many androgens and ended up with enlarged breasts and higher voices. Chemical reaction rates are influenced by the difference in concentrations of products versus reactants, and if you have an imbalance it can throw the reaction in one direction or the other. In their case they had too much reactant (testosterone) so their bodies took the excess and made it into product (estrogen), which, being men, they didn't need so much of. Thus the feminine side effects.

I'd love to hear what others think about this idea and whether it fits with their experience. I hope maybe it can help us understand why the testosterone works for some of us but it hasn't been the ticket out of the for you, (((Audrey))).

Hang in there though, surely there is a combination out there that will be "the one". And to help with finding it, might I suggest you get your levels checked again before you drop the testosterone? That could be very telling. Just an

s,
-Linda

LInda, that is an interesting theory. My question is this: if the testosterone is converting the estrogen, couldn't Audrey's progesterone also be converting to estrogen? If this is happening, is it possible that BOTH of the conversions to estrogen could be creating the imbalance? You are the professional, and I am only an interested lay reader. But, I sure am learning alot from you health and science professionals!
Audrey, Trish has mentioned Ginko in the past that might help with the libido since it helps with blood flow. Have you tried it?

Progesterone can convert to estrogen too, but the pathway is longer with more intermediate products along the way, so it's less likely to contribute to an estrogen dominance problem... here's a link to a diagram that shows the pathways by which the hormones convert; progesterone isn't shown but it plugs in where it says "C21 steroid hormone metabolism":

estrogen and androgen conversions

Before I started using testosterone, I had some very minor success with Damiana leaf in improving libido. I had read about it in one of (((trish's))) articles and decided to give it a try.

s,
-Linda

I actually quit my progesterone for a brief time in order to give the testesterone its best chance, but sleeplessness quickly set in and I went back to it...not that Prometrium is all that strong anyway!

Linda, your thought about the conversion makes perfect sense. I had thought that my edginess was due to the "male" effect of the testosterone, but you're right, I'm so estrogen sensitive that could have been it. And my testosterone levels were pretty much low to OK beforehand, so it's probably not having its intended effect.

I actually wasn't using it for libido so much as for energy levels and strength issues. But I'm not getting that effect, either .

I'll be away for a couple of days, but would love to hear from more of you when I get back! ((((Linda)))) thanks for all the ideas...just to stir up the pot what about DHEA? Think it would help, or just further confuse the issue???

to all...

Audrey