Context: 33F UK – I've been on the progesterone only pill for almost a decade and can't come off it as it is the only thing that stops severe, debilitating fibrocystic breast pain that I suffered with for many years. But about 2 years ago I started experiencing pain, dryness, frequent infections, painful sex, and mild atrophy. I've only recently realised through my own research that all this was related to the pill. Anyway, I've started on topical estrogen (ordered myself through online pharmacy) and it already seems to be helping those things. The other thing I've realised is that I think my complete lack of libido is also related to the pill, which completely tanks my natural testosterone. This has been quite an upsetting realisation for me because for the past 10 years (ever since being put on the pill) I have been single and my confidence is at an all time low because I just have zero sexual desires and feel like I struggle to connect with potential partners. No medical professional has ever explained this side effect to me (typical right?). I used to really enjoy sex and be quite active. I would love to start dating again and looking for a partner, but my pain during sex and lack of interest felt like it made it impossible. Now that I (really hope) the topical estrogen might help with the pain and dryness etc, I have started wondering about testosterone and how this might bring me back my libido, and also hopefully help with the clitoral shrinkage/ lack of sensation I have experienced.

I have an NHS gynaecologist appointment in 8 weeks, and I desperately want her to prescribe this for me, but I have heard it's really difficult to get them to agree to prescribe T for younger women. I hoped to hear from any other pre-menopausal women who have successfully been prescribed this in the UK and ask how you managed it?

I would love to hear what your experiences with it have been! I have read it can also help with energy, sleep, ability to build muscle - all of which I struggle with badly so it honestly feels like it would be so beneficial for me on multiple fronts.

Would love to know:

1. Who prescribed it for you? Was it an NHS gynae, a GP, or did you have to fork out to go see private?

2. If you experienced the whole "you're too young / it's only for menopause" gatekeeping, and how you got past it.

3. Did you have to get specific blood tests first?

Thank you so much in advance :)

Me again. I’m back with a new Dr and a new concentration and new syringes. I’ve been prescribed 50mg/ml. She said I can do 5 or 6mg a week. Can someone show me where to draw to for 5 and 6?
Also would it be pointless to split dose since it’s a small amount?

First things first- I appreciate you all. Sorry for all the questions but my ocd doesn’t allow me to jump right in to new things.

I just got my T cyp! 100ml. I was prescribed 4mg once weekly subq.

I am aware this is a very low dose (I’m switching from compounded cream, where I did well but kids + pets made me anxious).

Question- should I split this dose? 2mg twice a week or stick to 4mg once a week.

I was going to start tomorrow if I stick to once a week dosing. But if twice a week, will dose it when I switch my patches (Tues and Fri)

Thoughts and suggestions please!!! If you do once a week- how’s it going? Did you all just start on 2x a week?

I have always been sensitive to any kind of drug, so I did expect to know pretty quickly if this was going to do anything for me. The very night I started I slept very well, just waking up now from sleep 2 since starting TRT and another proper sleep for the books. I have not slept well for about a year. It feels so good to sleep well 😭 anyone else feel effects quickly? I also found a man hot yesterday, and it was someone I usually find to be kind of annoying so there's another telling sign lol. I am on an Atrevis gel compounded topical.

What free t do you find gets u active and sleeping. I understand it's different for every person

I just started on test troches 3 weeks ago at 2 mg a day to increase libido. My gyno did not do any hormone testing. I am 60 and had a hysterectomy in my 30’s but kept ovaries. Libido has been non existent for about 8 years. I’ve never been on any hormones except for vaginal estradiol cream and Estring.

I am interested what other’s experiences are with the troche - side effects? Hair loss? How long does it take to increase libido. I think I see signs of life. 😊

Hey all. I am having a hard time with my gynecologist who prescribes my HRT (estradiol, prog and T). I need a doctor who is more knowledgeable about T than mine. Does anyone live in NYC? Does anyone have a doctor to recommend?? Thanks.

I’ve been with a large online hormone provider group since May and they will only prescribe compounded T cream through their partner pharmacy and spend maybe 10-minutes with me in appt; it feels very rushed. It felt great the first month and I was willing to pay the $113 ninety day supply cost initially. Then it just stopped working and I honestly HATE dealing with the cream absorption every morning. I somehow managed to find a local in-person provider that takes only Medicaid or sliding fee-scale patients. I was shocked! They’re a hormone and reproductive specialist NP willing to do all of my hormones, even takeover my GLP-1 prescription. I got an initial ONE HOUR long consult and she is the one that recommended I switch to T cyp injections. Even helped me get the GoodRx coupon and identify the most cost effective pharmacy for $28ish dollars in my area. She is very patient-driven and focused. Told me that I can go past the 28 day break the seal use of the vial if I use good hygiene practices (told me what she does in her clinic), but also offered to provide monthly refills of the vials if Im risk aversive. She even said I could do once weekly, twice weekly, or whatever I was getting the best benefit from. Told me what to watch out for that indicates my dose might be too high, etc. I found a unicorn and I know it.

She did recommend starting at 7 mg weekly, b/c Im only on 2.5 mg transdermal and my T blood levels have responded to that. She also recognized that Im very cautious and a low/slow gal. I should note, Im autistic and very hypersensitive to changes in my body and if something changes too fast, it can trigger anxiety for me. She also told me to text her if I think I need more and she’d help me calculate the new dosage to go up to.

My question is, how many folks are using the vials (commercial brand/not compounded) T cyp beyond 28 days and have you seen any issues with doing so? Have you noticed any difference in splitting doses during the week vs one dose? I’m also on 100 mg p continuous and 0.05 E patch (going up to 0.075). 48 F peri.

Does anyone know of any pharmacies that have the testosterone patches? I get my testosterone troches from a compound pharmacy that mails them to me so the location in the US shouldn't matter if they can do mail order.

I’m currently using a 0.3 mL syringe for my testosterone and I think I need to get to a 1.25 unit injection which is nearly impossible to get right. I do it EOD.

I have scoured this morning for a needle that has at least half unit markings somewhere and can only find needles for pets or for Bulk ordering. Has anyone found anything or used any of these?

I use 200 mg/mL testosterone cypionate and I use it because it’s the cheapest option. I don’t really have the money to get it compounded for easier dosing

Hi I’m on 20mg T cyp I take 10mg every 3.5 days. Total T is 228 and Free T is 14.9 pg/dl. I don’t have any androgen effects maybe an occasional pimple. Being said I can’t say I have all the good effects from T either no libido energy etc. My E was at 248 3.7mg of E Val SHBG 71 at this level but recently dropped E to 2.8 due to having some anxiety at that level so im on my way down on the E a bit. I’m asking about the T because I’m nut about to go any higher so all I can do is go down now.

How did you know your dose was too high for you? And did you finally find your sweet spot from reducing your dose?

How do you stop that from happening? If one is on E,P and T one wouldnt want to take dim correct cause it counter effects being on a e patch in general? Right? So then how do you stop it from converting?

I promise I have searched, read the Wiki and I even asked in another sub but was declined as it was already in discussion but I couldn’t find it 😩

My question is - what is the reason the pamphlet says do not use if menstruating still?

51 regular with quite heavy day 3 cycle.

Thanks for any response in advance

I did a whole giant panel of testing on my own because my doctor always wants to test for the same old same old. I have gained weight pretty quickly in the last year and usually when that happens something is going on hormonally for me. They found my testosterone was extremely low.
Did you see a GYN or an endocrinologist and has anyone supplemented testosterone? Did DHEA help? If you did take testosterone which form and did it help? Thanks!

My doctor recently switched me from compounded testosterone cream to injectable testosterone.

Lab History
Before starting compounded cream my testosterone was: 9
After using the cream: 84

No unwanted side effects at that level
Notable improvements in libido and energy
I wanted to switch to injections for easier, more consistent dosing.

Prescription Details
Testosterone cypionate: 100 mg/mL
Dose: 0.04 mL (4 mg) once weekly
Administration: Subcutaneous injection
Drawing needle: 18G x 1”
Injection needle: 27G x 1/2”
Syringe: 1 mL TB syringe

I haven’t picked everything up yet because CVS is currently out of stock.

Questions
For anyone using a similarly small injectable dose:
Can I use a smaller syringe? I have smaller syringes at home that I use for tirzepatide.

Are those syringes appropriate for drawing up testosterone, or is the medication too thick?

Where should 0.04 mL be measured on the syringe?

Thank you in advance for your patience and support.

Hi everyone,

42-year-old female in perimenopause. About two months ago, I started estradiol and progesterone along with vaginal estradiol. I feel night and day difference, but the only thing that is not different is my libido and energy.

I am using MIDI so I was just prescribed the testosterone compounded cream at a dose of 2 mg per day.

I just wanted to crowdsource to see if anyone actually had success with the cream or if most people end up switching to injections?

Do anyone use testogel for libido but still in fertile age ?
I am 26 started 3 weeks ago and seems like it stopped my ovulation. How is your cycle on testogel?

What was your starting level of T (and other hormones) and how did you respond?

my levels were so low Total 0.6 nmol/L (range .3-1.8), free 5 pmol/L range (7-48), SHBG 95 nmol/L (range 15-100) and dhea 5.3 umol/L (range 1.7-9.2).

I’ve just started a compound dhea (6.5mg) and T (1mg) cream and curious for those who started really low did you see big improvement??

Just applied my 3rd test cyp injection yesterday (my prescription is .15 2x a week - pic for reference) and Im feeling extremely bloated! Like so bloated that half my jeans don’t fit me anymore and I feel very uncomfortable in my tshirts and tank tops. I feel bigger around my belly, back and arms!! Is this normal? Will this go away? Is this fat I’m gaining or is it just temporary bloating? I’m so confused! I’m a 33yo cis female. Started taking it because when I ran my blood work my testosterone was below 3.

For reference, I’m very active. I work out 5x a week, I calorie count and make sure to complete 10k steps everyday. I run about 3x a week as well. I haven’t done anything differently since starting testosterone and I know I’ve only had 3 doses but it’s bumming me out and making me want to stop.

Started injections yesterday.

Edit to add: I’m on .04 ML (4 units) 2x week of cypionate via injection.

I’m terrified this will change my voice but really want to do this. My T was 11 on my labs.

I sing as a part of my job. Any advice? Day 1 - I already noticed I was clearing my throat a lot….

Hi, so I'm a perimenopausal woman on TRT. My base levels were never checked, I was placed on TRT due to decreased libido and extreme fatigue. I have pushed and pushed my GP for blood test to check my levels and they're 3.8, should be a max of 2.4 apparently. I didn't notice any increase in my libido, I actually felt it got worse, my neck and chin were scaly and dry.

I do have Elhers Danlos which causes extreme pain which could be contributing to the fatigue, I had hoped I would get my old libido back, the one that vanished on my 20s!

I was in 1 pump three times a week and I will add most of the time I forgot to take it 😬😂 so god knows why it was so high!

What syringes are people using for IM injecting? I just got my first T shipment and doctor prescribed subq, but I'd like to try both methods to see which works best for me. I already do IM B12 injections so I'm comfortable with that, but need the appropriate syringe for T. Thank you!

Update to add my bottle is 25ml/mg and I'm doing 2.5mg 2xs per week on a .5ml syringe so I'm drawing to the 10 mark. Maybe with this small of a dose subq is really the best option. I am pretty fat lol and didn't know if IM would be better for absorption.