
Originally Posted by
anon03191970
Some info.
The best delivery system used most often since the 1940's has been intramuscular injections of testosterone. There are five injectable testosterone approved in the United States:
1.
Aqueous Testosterone: very short acting (1-2 days)
2.
Testosterone Cyprionate: short acting (2-4 days)
3.
Testosterone Proprionate: short acting (2-4 days)
4.
Testosterone Enthanate: longer acting {7-10 days)
5.
Deca-Durabolin: longer acting, muscle pain relief (7-10 days)
Physicians usually give 50-100 mcg of testosterone to women by injections monthly. But some women find higher estrogen levels and DHEA 25-50mg do effectively increase sex drive without the need for injections of testosterone.
Some compounding pharmacists will make testosterone gel in 3% solutions for women. This works similarly to the patch, but is applied once daily. More rapid absorption occurs over thin skin (labial) while slower absorption occurs over the abdomen. This is aqueous testosterone-- do not use methyl -testosterone as it has liver toxicity effects.
However, we have come to prefer the testosterone pellets. Studies in the United States, Europe and the Far East show that testosterone pellets can maintain a stable hormonal level for up to 120 days. Although there is individual variation from manufacturer and by patient, this delivery system has been the easiest for women to accept when long term replacement is indicated. Both estradiol pellets and testosterone pellets are inserted at one time. This is the method most often used in our office. Almost all our menopausal women add estradiol pellets to the testosterone pellet for the balanced feeling of well-being and control of the 'estrogenic' menopausal symptoms.
Additional Steps to Be Taken:
If women develop an excessive sex drive, a calming effect is found by taking 160 mg of Saw Palmetto with Pygeum twice daily. This herb will block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which affects sex drive and acne. There are no significant side-effects to the Saw Palmetto. . A prescription alternative is marketed as ProscarĀ®.
Risks of Low Testosterone apply only to men:
Until recently, few physicians recognized the need for testosterone in women. Testosterone is superior in the treatment of osteoporosis and muscle wasting. Many of our patients report an improvement in clarity of thought (and sex drive) with low dose testosterone replacement. We do not find that the pellets of testosterone and estradiol affect the lipid profile as noted for the oral testosterone product.