Hi All! I am female 34 yrs old. I got a full lab testing with hormone panel because I am mainly dealing with low libido and pre-menstrual anxiety. Before my cycle I just go thru a dark phase, I feel im in a weird head space and life is so gloomy. Its cyclical happening almost every month.
All other aspects of my life are doing well. I sleep well, I eat clean and have been dieting for about 6 months. I do have muscle but I would like to lean out a bit more so I am continuing the diet and lifting/cardio.
Problem is I cant tell if my libido is low because I have no desire or if I am just too lazy to get up and do it. My ferritin level is low so the doctor says that contributes to low energy. Was also told to take Vitamin D to help bring levels up and b12 vitamins also. So I will start taking those.
My total testosterone level was in range based on the test level range, but not optimal. My score was a 22 and Quest gives a range of 2 - 45. But I was told my score is still low and needs a boost. My free T was 2.1 the range is 0.1 - 6.4. Still kinda low. My estrogen was good at 181, but my progesterone was a bit low at 1.7, the range is 2.6 - 21.5. I was told im estrogen dominant. My cycles are all very normal.
For testosterone, I was prescribed either cream or injections. For the cream the dose I was given is 10mg/ml cream - 2 clicks to skin. Or if I choose injections, it is Test cypionate- Inject 0.08mL. Or I could start on 0.05mL if im too worried to start 0.08. Im thinking the cream is better (i dont have kids or pets so transfer isnt an issue). Im kind of afraid to do injections. But i read injections are optimal over cream, but cream could possibly work.
I voiced my concern about starting TRT as I am still young and dont know how comfortable I am with this. I am afraid of side effects, acne, hair loss, weight gain, it messing with my cycle (i dont want kids) and increased estrogen. I was told if Im not comfortable with TRT, I could start DHEA 5mg daily and see if DHEA will raise my testosterone level, and maybe take DIM to reduce estrogen level if it shoots up. I dont know if im comfortable with my estrogen going up. DHEA is a wildcard it seems.
I am in a dilemma. I dont want TRT to mess with my life with the side effects. I also dont wanna take DHEA and have it increase my estrogen. To be fair the doses I have been given are low and may not cause symptoms, but ive read many women complain of issues.
I understand this is all just predictions. We dont know what will happen until I try these methods. Im just frustrated. Isnt there anything else that can help libido? Anyone have any ideas? Should I just try DHEA alone and see what it does? If it causes side effects, then just stop it? But then what do I do? Do I then try the next step which is to do the cream? But if DHEA causes side effects doesnt that mean TRT will also cause side effects. So confused.
All other aspects of my life are doing well. I sleep well, I eat clean and have been dieting for about 6 months. I do have muscle but I would like to lean out a bit more so I am continuing the diet and lifting/cardio.
Problem is I cant tell if my libido is low because I have no desire or if I am just too lazy to get up and do it. My ferritin level is low so the doctor says that contributes to low energy. Was also told to take Vitamin D to help bring levels up and b12 vitamins also. So I will start taking those.
My total testosterone level was in range based on the test level range, but not optimal. My score was a 22 and Quest gives a range of 2 - 45. But I was told my score is still low and needs a boost. My free T was 2.1 the range is 0.1 - 6.4. Still kinda low. My estrogen was good at 181, but my progesterone was a bit low at 1.7, the range is 2.6 - 21.5. I was told im estrogen dominant. My cycles are all very normal.
For testosterone, I was prescribed either cream or injections. For the cream the dose I was given is 10mg/ml cream - 2 clicks to skin. Or if I choose injections, it is Test cypionate- Inject 0.08mL. Or I could start on 0.05mL if im too worried to start 0.08. Im thinking the cream is better (i dont have kids or pets so transfer isnt an issue). Im kind of afraid to do injections. But i read injections are optimal over cream, but cream could possibly work.
I voiced my concern about starting TRT as I am still young and dont know how comfortable I am with this. I am afraid of side effects, acne, hair loss, weight gain, it messing with my cycle (i dont want kids) and increased estrogen. I was told if Im not comfortable with TRT, I could start DHEA 5mg daily and see if DHEA will raise my testosterone level, and maybe take DIM to reduce estrogen level if it shoots up. I dont know if im comfortable with my estrogen going up. DHEA is a wildcard it seems.
I am in a dilemma. I dont want TRT to mess with my life with the side effects. I also dont wanna take DHEA and have it increase my estrogen. To be fair the doses I have been given are low and may not cause symptoms, but ive read many women complain of issues.
I understand this is all just predictions. We dont know what will happen until I try these methods. Im just frustrated. Isnt there anything else that can help libido? Anyone have any ideas? Should I just try DHEA alone and see what it does? If it causes side effects, then just stop it? But then what do I do? Do I then try the next step which is to do the cream? But if DHEA causes side effects doesnt that mean TRT will also cause side effects. So confused.