Okay, so I've been on HRT for 10 months. And suddenly, over the last couple of weeks, I've started getting morning erections again, eeeww. Not like they were before (less, ahem, firm), but, still, defintely totally unwanted spontaneous erections when I wake up. My dose hasn't changed, and this kind of thing was killed off about 6 months ago, or so I thought. Has anyone else had this? I'm finding it quite concerning.
I had a blood test a couple of months ago and my T was down to 0.2 nmol down from 0.7 six months before... so how is this happening?
I know, right?
I've got the same problem, been on hrt for over five years and it's still.. bad. Since I've started prostap injections, it got better, but it's still happening.
Maybe it's just individual?
Is there a way you can get your hands on prostap injections?
I had one month (month 8 ) where it basically felt like I didn't get any E from my shot at all despite it being the second month of a slightly increased dosage, and morning erections were popping up towards the end (despite them going away on a much smaller dose). I took on an increase in my dose the next month, and things settled down within a couple days (plus boobs firmed up again, etc).
Tell your doc/endo the next time you see them. You may need an adjustment in dosage, and if the delivery method is infrequent (like every two weeks or a month), it's possible that a problem cropped up there last time.
Testosterone is highest in the morning so that could explain it, don't know it that's been the case for others who experience this. I did briefly a few months back (I'm now 13 months) and that was also first thing in the morning but not anymore.
Thanks for the replies. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has experienced this. A little further information: I use estradiol gel twice daily, and I haven't altered my routine, so it's not like something could have gone wrong with a semi-infrequent dose like injections. I will bring it up with my specialist when I see him next. Not sure he'd be willing to add anything to my regimen, except increasing my dose. He doesn't suggest anti-androgens unless they are totally necessary to supress T without an excessively high dose of E, as, the less stuff you can take with the desired effects the better, and it seems to be working in my case, T suppressed to silly low levels.
Damn is this annoying.
I don't think this is necessarily telling of any problems with your HRT. It could be, but it's not necessarily so. I know of a girl who is on gel twice a day also and same as you her T levels were down enough to with it alone. Sounds like very promising way of delivery! I am currently on patches since about 3 weeks ago and happy enough, as I was on too low and on oral dose for a good 8 months that really didn't do me well. I might suggest the gel to my GP next time I see him.
Quote from: calicarly on August 06, 2014, 05:00:30 AM
I don't think this is necessarily telling of any problems with your HRT. It could be, but it's not necessarily so. I know of a girl who is on gel twice a day also and same as you her T levels were down enough to with it alone. Sounds like very promising way of delivery! I am currently on patches since about 3 weeks ago and happy enough, as I was on too low and on oral dose for a good 8 months that really didn't do me well. I might suggest the gel to my GP next time I see him.
Gel is convenient as it delivers it's total dose quite quickly, within an hour at most, and efficiently too it seems. It can then be washed off and doesn't leave a mark. Also, you won't get the problems that some people do with patches with skin irritation. The trade off is you need to spend more time applying it that patches, usually twice a day, and you need to make sure the area is clean and dry before application every time. I take Sandrena, which is the only one licensed for use in the EU, but there is another similar brand I hear.
I have found over the 14 some years on hrt its something that comes and goes.
You have to remember your mind still has emotions and these emotions can make things react.
They truly are not fun but they do happen.
As said in other post talk with your prescribing doctor and see if there is maybe more a endocrine reason.
When I first start HRT my doctor just prescribe Spiro with birth control. and I would say with in one month I stopped getting morning wood, which was an everyday thing for me pre HRT. I can't even really get a hard on if I tried and its only been a year and only 2 months on increased dose of E.
I Do hope that's the way it stays x.x
Birth control? These usually contain ethinyl estradiol which is known to increase thromboembolic risk to a much greater extent and sometimes contain progestins which have a negative cardiovascular effect and are androgenic. You should perhaps discuss other options with your doctor as there are safer, equally effective alternatives such as bio-identical estradiol and progesterone. Just my 2 cents, your doctor has the last word but I really would suggest you talk it over with him/her and see what he says.
At the end of her post it says she's been changed to an increased dose of E Kay, so you're going on to her about reconsidering a regimen she no longer is on...
Quote from: NIP on August 06, 2014, 05:38:40 AM
Gel is convenient as it delivers it's total dose quite quickly, within an hour at most, and efficiently too it seems. It can then be washed off and doesn't leave a mark. Also, you won't get the problems that some people do with patches with skin irritation. The trade off is you need to spend more time applying it that patches, usually twice a day, and you need to make sure the area is clean and dry before application every time. I take Sandrena, which is the only one licensed for use in the EU, but there is another similar brand I hear.
Thanks for the info NIP, I will suggest it to my GP next time I see him, I am having good results with the patches. Like I used to on the injections before I ever got on the oral, I am originally from the states and was on injections which got continued here in the uk , but when my GP took over my HRT care he just kind of got all flustered and suggested the pills, I gave it a chance and it definitely didn't work. So we changed to the patches recently like I said, finally feel like I used to, but I think that taught me to switch and look for the best way of delivery and after a few months on the patch I am gonna suggest a change to the gel and compare and stick to whatever works best. It sounds promising, I'm not having too many issues with the patch but the gel still sounds like it could be an improvement . Thanks again !
Quote from: NIP on August 06, 2014, 02:34:52 AM
Okay, so I've been on HRT for 10 months. And suddenly, over the last couple of weeks, I've started getting morning erections again, eeeww. Not like they were before (less, ahem, firm), but, still, defintely totally unwanted spontaneous erections when I wake up. My dose hasn't changed, and this kind of thing was killed off about 6 months ago, or so I thought. Has anyone else had this? I'm finding it quite concerning.
I had a blood test a couple of months ago and my T was down to 0.2 nmol down from 0.7 six months before... so how is this happening?
This happened to me at the 21ish month mark. I 'fixed' it by taking my 2nd dose of the day at 10pm (or right before I got to bed). This has been working so far to stop the annoying morning erections.
The thing about penises is that they have a blood flow valve thingy. When it closes off blood can't escape so an erection occurs. Usually the valve is closed when owner of said penis is sexually aroused however it is possible for it to occur for other reasons - a full bladder combined with lying on your back is one of the primary other causes of an erection. The bladder isn't like the valve but the pressure of a full one down in the lower cavity can stop blood flowing out of the penis. Guess when that is most likely to happen? That's right, first thing in the morning when you're lying in bed and haven't peed for several hours. Try lying on your side, keep your hands away and it will probably go away pretty quick. :)
Quote from: Ms Grace on August 06, 2014, 04:37:10 PM
The thing about penises is that they have a blood flow valve thingy.
...................................................................
The thing about penises: you can't control them, and except for sex they are non essential.
Quote from: calicarly on August 06, 2014, 04:07:32 PM
At the end of her post it says she's been changed to an increased dose of E Kay, so you're going on to her about reconsidering a regimen she no longer is on...
Increased dose of E could simply mean an increased dose of the birth control pill, no? She didn't say anywhere that she changed from BCP to something else, just that dose increased.