His and Her Health

Posted this on another site .... but thought I would put it here as well.<P>My wife has been seeing Dr. G in Boston since April. Now on 1 tube per 5 days of testim applied to belly area as per instructions. Have gradually increased to this amount. As of now - NO increase in Libido ( sorry to say ) There have been some mild benefits such as increased ability to have orgasm but not sure if attributed to the testim or simply our own circumstances. Also increase in lubrication but this can be attributed to use of Vagifem which started at the same time. So for the most part the so called 70% success rate we were told about does not apply to us. Our relationship is solid and for the most part we have learned to deal with the situation but both frustrated with lack of success. We have regular sex but for her part - mostly for ME. She does enjoy once we get going - but no interest in starting unless I bring it up. She is quite a sweet person as you can tell.<BR>We have basically decided that after the next visit to Dr G in about 2 weeks, we are going to give it to next April and then give it up. Chance of unknown side effects are also a factor. Hair growth and acne so far are not a huge issue put present.<BR>FYI ( Greg ) : These were the test results in Sept. 03<BR>Sex Hormone BG: 55.0 in June 03 59.0 ( "too high " )<BR>Free Test : 1.2 " 0.8 (needs to be higher)<BR>% Free Test : 2.0 " 1.6 ?<BR>Total Test : 62 " 51 ( need to be higher)<P>( comments in parenthesis are from Dr. G )<P>I would be curious to hear from anyone in the so called 70% success group.<P>To refresh : 22 year marriage - 2 kids 20 & 17 - Solid relationship with usual " schtick " but otherwise quite happy.<BR>Total Hysterectomy in 1993 ( elective ) due to family history of ovarian Cancer. " what a mistake " !!!!!!<P>Thanks

Your wife is only using one 1 tube per. 5 days!<BR>O My! That is shocking to me that she is on such a low amount.<BR>I use 1 whole tube every night! I apply it on my shoulders and in between my thighs.<BR>Maby she should increse it?<BR>What do you think?<p>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 03 December 2003).]

<B>Lovetotalk</B><BR>I think that 5mg absorbed per day seems like a very high level. (Something in the neighborhood or 0.5-1.0 (perhaps to 1.5) mg/day seems reasonable - though one should always check Total and Free T levels via an accurate blood assay after starting treatment to properly titrate the dose.)<P>(This is an amount that some men might use. - 5 grams applied Testim/5mg absorbed. Though some men are using 10g/day and more, depending.)<P>If you are applying a 5g Testim tube daily, I'd strongly suggest that you have your Total T and Free T levels checked ASAP. Even if you're using a single 2.5 gram tube daily, that seems pretty out there.<P>Perhaps, are you using something else, or some other dosing amount?<P>Best wishes,<BR>Greg<P>------------------<BR>See the icons at the top of this post for my profile and more information.<BR>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Sorry Greg, that' s 1% Testim <BR>That is 50 mg testosterone per tube.<BR>Sorry about that mess up.<P>Testim 1%<BR>Clear gel provides transdermal delivery of testosterone throught the skin of the shoulders and upper arms.*<BR>Rx Only<P>Thats taken directly off the box.<P>I dont understand why you would put it on your stomach. I know it is a different delivery method...but why not the shoulders? Is the stomach more absorbing of this gel?<BR>Another quick thing to add..<BR>My doctor's nurse has told me that Testim only comes in 1% and does not go any higher. Can you get this is a different form...patch? Or drops? Pill? Does this Gel go any higher?<p>[This message has been edited by lovetotalk (edited 03 December 2003).]

Well, seems like the million dollar question is how much should we be using and who makes the determination???<BR>We have been relying on the Dr. ( I.G. ) and he seems to have a plan in mind. Will be there in two weeks and I plan to bring the copies of these replies.<P>Guess I should also look at the tube and check to see how much is in each to see if we are all talking about the same amount per gram or per milligram in each tube.<P>Thanks

There seem to be as many places to put T gel as there are doctors. I was told to put mine on inner thighs or stomach, but it gave me a rash on my thighs. Now it's stomach or wrists. Some of it probably has to do with the preferences of the doctor and lifestyle. Children should be kept away from T creams, so applying it to your wrists if you had babies, for examply, might not be a great idea. The general thought is that the thinner the skin, the better. Hence, no applying it on your feet ) <P>You can probably talk to your doc, paciente, about where application would be most beneficial for your wife as far as ease of application, absorbtion, and lifestyle.

Hi - We have talked about location. Dr. continues to say " belly " area. He is firm on that. We are only the patient's<BR>Thanks for the suggestion.<BR>I think the amount may be the key

What is the tube size ( in mg. or grams ) for you folks out there using Testim??<BR>I am checking ours tonight.

*50 mg testosterone per tube*<P>Tell your wife to use 1/2 tube to upper body every other day.<P>Thoes are the exact directions that I have printed by Dr.Bermen on my Testim box.<P>You wil see a difference. ..believe me.<BR>Tell her to put it on her shoulders not her stomach. <BR>Put it this way...do you want to wait around for 6 more months till your doctor finally gives you the word to apply this on your shoulders? <BR>My guess is his final decison will be to increse the amount... and your out come will be stunning.

I think it's rather unfair that you told Greg not to interfere with your doctor/patient relationship, but in this thread you are saying paciente's wife, rather than talking to her doctor to speed up the process, should just ignore her doctor's instructions and up her dosage on her own. I am curious why you personally are advising this when you have said that in your particular case, unlike many other women, your high free T hasn't helped your libido.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by paciente54:<BR><B>She does enjoy once we get going - but no interest in starting unless I bring it up. She is quite a sweet person as you can tell.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>paciente54,<BR>Are you saying your wife's lack of having spontaneous sexual desire is the problem? It might interest you and your wife to know that in many women sexual stimuli are necessary to trigger arousal and subsequent sexual desire. Do you have an email address to which I can send an article?

Hi - It is not simply lack of spontaneous desire but also lack of desire "period " Libido that was there prior to Hyst. in 1993 is gone since shortly after that.<BR>She says she does not feel " horny " as in the past. Sex starts out with my initiating or her knowing that it has been a while and it is "time"<BR>I know it sounds like a strange arrangement but it works. Once we get going she enjoys it but simply does not have the " desire " to have it otherwise.<BR><p>[Note: This message has been edited by NEWSHE Moderator]

Thanks. I'll send the email with the article tonight. Just something you might be interested in. It attempts to describe the potential role of testosterone and other biological factors, as well as psychological factors.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by paciente54:<BR><B>Libido that was there prior to Hyst. in 1993 is gone since shortly after that.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I believe you also said she had taken Estratest for several years. This didn't help either? In essence, her ability to become aroused is still intact. It's the fact that she doesn't have sexual desire until after she is aroused that is the problem as you both see it? Has she considered anything else in addition to the testosterone therapy?<P>

Correct that her arousal is fine. It is simply the desire prior to this. However I am not 100% sure that the T cream did not really help with the arousal. There was a point where we had arousal problems around the time of starting the cream. Within a few months the arousal was fine and has been since. <BR>What other things are out there to try for desire ( other than T cream ? ) If they are out there we are not aware. Unles you mean counceling.... and we really have a solid relationship and don't have the need for psyc counceling other than sexual desire help.

paciente54 what do you think about my reply and trying more of the gel?<BR>zaneblue I am not all saying that she should ignore her doctor's instructions and up her dosage on her own. <BR>In no way did I say to ignore her doctor. lol.<BR>Yes I am personally advising to him to bump up the cream. This place is here to give sugesstions so I did.<BR>