Post-op HRT and libido

[Sandy]

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary of my GCS (OMG!) on 3/13.

And in September I will have completed three years of HRT.  Dr. McGinn has recommended that I look into going from a high dose of estradiol injections to a post-menopausal maintenance level.  She made some recommendations as to the specific medications which I'll discuss some other time.

I discussed this a little bit with my regular physician who is also my endocrinologist.  He agrees in principle and suggests we discuss it further when I get closer to my three year mark.

I don't have a problem with this, overall.  However, I have a question I would ask others who are on a maintenance regimen. 

How has this affected your libido?  I just rediscovered mine and I am quite happy with it, thank you very much!  But have others noticed a loss or decrease in libido?  I'm really happy with the way my body responds as a female now and I really would hate to lose that.

-Sandy

[aubrey]

I don't understand this prevailing attitude of having a post-menopausal level of hormones...are you at that age? I would want "teen" levels for at least 4 years, even longer, then just want to have normal levels for my age. It would seem that you are still developing and would fall short of your potential, but I didn't go to med school so eh......

[Sandy]

are you at that age?

Honey, I was at that age before I started!

I think if people had their druthers, they would say that they would want to be at a teen level of hormones for the rest of their lives.  Me too!

However, there is an increased risk of breast cancer the longer that HRT is maintained.  Unfortunately, stopping HRT exposes you to risks of osteoporosis.  So like other post-menopausal women, it is a balancing act, maintain hormone levels so that you have a reduced risk of osteoporosis without increasing the risk of breast cancer too much.  Also as you reduce the levels of estrodiol it's not uncommon to experience a drop in libido.

Some women are prescribed small amounts of testosterone to help with libido, vaginal suppleness and lubrication.

"I enjoy being a girl!!!"

-Sandy(I really wouldn't change it for anything!!!)

[aubrey]

"I enjoy being a girl!!!"

off topic: I was like 13 the first time I saw that movie and almost had a heart attack from her performance lols I was in awe.

Yeah I understand it's a balancing act, but I just hope ppl don't stop too soon short of their potential. All I had to do was look at ur profile, sorry

[Sandy]

"I enjoy being a girl!!!"

off topic: I was like 13 the first time I saw that movie and almost had a heart attack from her performance lols I was in awe.

Yeah I understand it's a balancing act, but I just hope ppl don't stop too soon short of their potential. All I had to do was look at ur profile, sorry

I once saw Christine Jorgensen sing that song on a late night talk show.  My heart did kind of a backflip then too!

Don't worry about the age, hon.  I know I don't!

-Sandy

[Ms.Behavin]

Hi Sandy!!!.  Well I've been on a lower doasage, Tad higher then maintence but not by much and 1/4 pre-op earily post op.  The libido dropped a bit last year, but seems to be recovering fine now.   But YMMV.

Beni

[tinkerbell]

As far as estrogen is concerned, I am now taking half of what I used to take pre-SRS.  Regarding libido..ummmm...well....someone created a thread titled Post-op Madness about a year ago or so.  It pretty much summarizes how it feels sometimes depending on my mood, stress level, and other things. 

tink