u/Proud-Dream-7485

I (50yo perimenopausal) started 5mg testosterone gel 29 days ago. I’m also on 3 pumps estrogel, 100mg progesterone and vaginal estrogen. Maybe it’s just hormonal shifts but I feel so down. My mood is super low, I have some joint pain creeping in and I’m bloated to all get out!! I had such high hopes starting T that I’d be feeling like a 20 year old again and yet I’m feeling worse the last few weeks. Anyone struggle with adjusting to testosterone like this? Maybe I need to adjust my estrogen?? Any advice is appreciated!

I’ve been using Estrogel for approximately 6 months now. I’ve always applied 2 pumps on my inner thighs and eventually added a 3rd to my inner arm mid afternoon/early evening. I’m feeling some symptoms creeping back mainly joint/muscle pain and low mood just wondering if I should try applying it just to my arms both morning and night or all maybe all 3 pumps at once in the morning to see if it makes a difference. Any advice is appreciated!!

I saw someone reply to a post (which I can’t find) about applying a gradual tan to their skin letting it soak in then going over with their regular self tan. Can anyone confirm this works? I know we’re not supposed to apply lotion before tanning except to super dry areas but I feel like this combo could help make your tan even smoother and darker.

I saw a post before about applying lotion 30min to 1 hour after applying testosterone gel to increase absorption. Has anyone actually noticed a difference doing this?

I just added testosterone gel and Intrarosa last Tuesday to my HRT (also using 3 pumps estrogel and 100mg micronized progesterone) and Friday I started getting mild cramps and some light pink/brownish spotting. The cramps were gone within a few hours but I’ve had lingering spotting really only when I wipe after going pee. Also this past weekend I noticed some increased joint pain that I thought was really good after upping my estrogen. Could any of this be from the testosterone? I’m only on 5mg (.5ml pump) per day so it seems too soon to be having any side effects but who knows! I haven’t had a period since January 1st so I’m pretty bummed if I need to reset the clock:(

My husband and I have booked 2 weeks at an Airbnb at Blue Bay. We visited last year for one week and stayed at Lions Dive but food quickly adds up eating at restaurants every day. We are big meat and seafood eaters and love to cook so we plan on making most of our meals. Can anyone recommend great butchers and fresh seafood markets? We are aware of Centrum grocery store nearby for looking for something specialized.

I’ve been using Vagifem for almost 1 year currently 2x per week. At my f/u Friday my provider prescribed Intrarosa as I’m starting to experience dryness and groin pain again that originally went away with the Vagifem. She told me just to use the Intrarosa which I plan to do for a full month and see how it works. Does anyone use both and maybe alternate through the week? I know Intrarosa is supposed to convert to estrogen so maybe overkill using both but I do not have benefits and everything adds up quickly if you’re using Intrarosa daily.

I feel like I’ve caught a cold every month since last October. Does perimenopause kill our immune system?? I’m on HRT and take ALL the vitamins and supplements! So sick of getting sick!

I was reading a post from a year ago that I can no longer comment on so I decided to bring this up again about inconsistency with the amount of estrogel that is pumped out as you get lower in the bottle. I decided to weigh my pumps this morning and the first one came out 0.9 gm then added my second pump which totalled 2.1gm when it should be 2.5gm for 2 full pumps. Not sure how long this has been going on but I definitely felt a bit off all weekend mood wise and some other mild symptoms. Curious if anyone has noticed different pump sizes. Looking back the last week I definitely feel like some of them looked smaller but I never thought anything of it until I came across that post. I’m going to use my scale when I start a fresh bottle just to see how much is being dispensed. Anyway FYI for anyone else using the gel.

Just wondering how many of you are using this online clinic? I have been with them since January and feeling pretty good. I’m using estrogel, oral progesterone and vagifem. My next follow up (6 month mark) is the end of June and I’m really hoping to get prescribed testosterone. Has anyone started T with them and how long did it take before they prescribed it? Also curious once you finally optimize your doses will they send all your prescriptions to your family doctor to continue filling or do you stay with them indefinitely??

I see so many women complaining about gaining weight on HRT and lately I’ve been feeling the same. But last night my husband was looking at me and told me my body looked amazing right now. Ive been on estrogel and progesterone for just over 12 weeks and have felt like a stuffed sausage most days lol. But last night I really looked at my body and noticed that although I’m “fuller” my body is firm not soft and flabby. My butt is bigger but in a good way and my boobs are perkier!! Dare I even say my thighs are thicker but I have less cellulite and they feel firmer too. I haven’t weighed myself and I haven’t been consistent with my workouts so I’m boggled by this. Has anyone had “positive” changes to their body with HRT??

So I’ve just started using Nuda self tanning products. I absolutely love them! The first one I bought was a violet base and recently I purchased their ultra dark which is a brown base (literally brown no green cast what so ever). The first time I applied the ultra dark my colour was amazing but I realized I hadn’t washed my mitt which would have had left over violet base on it. I washed my mitt and applied the ultra dark last week and the colour wasn’t as rich. Does anyone have experience mixing different bases together? I think I might do 50/50 with my pumps next time and see but just looking for advice or tips from anyone who’s tried. I do see professional tan artists mix their solutions so I figure it could work with at home mousse too????