His and Her Health

After many years of dealing with abdominal pain and infertility and with four laparoscopic surgeries performed to remove endometriosis, fibroid tumors and large (some "chocolate") cysts, my gynecologist highly recommended a complete hysterectomy as the only alternative to bring my quality of life back to where it should be as I was living with pain and swelling on a daily basis. Therefore, in May 2003 (at the age of 34), he performed a hysterectomy (removing ovaries and cervix, too) and assured me I would feel better than ever and that everything else in my life would remain the same (including my sex life). However, this has NOT been the case. <P>Symptoms/Issues: It's been a year now and I still have reduced energy, edginess/irritability swings never before experienced, gained 20 pounds, vaginal dryness and absolutely zero sex drive. All of these are issues, but the fact that my husband and I went from having a fantastic sex life to absolutely none at all has been very frustrating for me. I want to make love with my husband mentally/emotionally, but my body just won't cooperate!<P>Each visit to the doctor, I complain of the same problems and he simply hands me a new prescription to "try". So far, I have taken Premarin 1.25 alone, then with Estratest HS added, then switched to Cenestin 0.625 with Extratest HS, then switched up to Estratest FS with the Cenestin 0.625, then he added 2% Testosterone gel to the Estratest FS and Cenestin 0.625, and now (for the past 4 months) I am taking Cenestin 0.625, 2% Testosterone gel and a drug from the compounding pharmacy labeled "T-EST/MTHTST SR 2.5-1.25COM". Still no help! I have gone for 3 different blood tests to check my hormone levels, and these meds still can't get my testosterone to reach the scale. It's always in the "<10" category which the doctor says is the issue. His only answer now is to simply keep taking the medications and see if my body will begin to adapt.<P>I'm ready to find a new gynecologist, but want to make sure that I don't continue in this same cycle of getting nowhere.<P>Can you recommend anything to ease my symptoms and get my life back on track? Any professional advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have you discussed with your doctor having testosterone injections? I had them 3 times. They worked wonders, but I have to warn you, my clitorus became the size of a baby's penis and I grew a mustache. <BR>There are always prices for whatever cure you are looking for.<BR>Best of luck to you.

Oral testosterone is another possibility. My gyn was on it herself for several years after her complete hyst. a 2% cream may not be enough for you. Really, your doctor should test your hormone levels to help determine what may be wrong.

Testerone can be given safely and effectively (without causing clitoral growth or hair growth) if you follow the free testotserone. A complete description of how to do this is available in my book "Reclaiming Desire."<P>------------------<BR>Andrew T. Goldstein<BR>Director, The Center For Vulvovaginal Disorders