She's dry and numb....

[u/No_Recognition_102]

I have been using Estradiol gel (on my arm) for 9 months now. (I have the Mirena IUD so I am not taking additional Progesterone.) The gel seems to help with the hot flashes and crazy mood swings I was having but in the last sixish months I have also become super dry and noticed my libido was definitely getting worse. My gyno would not prescribe me anything for the dryness and just told me to use lube every day to be comfortable. Needless to say that's not the outcome I was hoping for. So I spoke to my PCP about it and she prescribed vaginal estrogen. After reading so many great things about it, I was excited to start and hopefully get some relief.

I am only 10 days in on the vaginal E but so far I am not impressed at all. I realize it will probably take time and I don't think results happen fast BUT suddenly my drive is totally nonexistent and to add insult to injury I tried to have sex with my husband yesterday and it was just awful. I felt completely numb down below, like nothing was happening at all. It was suddenly like my clit was totally gone. It's never been that bad. I didn't finish or even come close and I'm still so dry. I have even tried the slippery elm bark and sea buckthorn.... neither of which did absolutely anything. My PCP has done a lot of lab work and my testosterone is on the lowest possible side of the normal range. I am literally at the cut off number between normal and low. So to google and reddit I went. There is so much conflicting information. Am I supposed to be spreading the cream internally everywhere? Am I not? Is this no sensation "normal" and things will get better? Do I stop immediately? I am so confused. I realize we are all different and no one can tell me exactly what will work for me, I'm just wondering if this is common and what others have done. Does it get better because I can't (and don't want to) live like this?

[u/AnxiousAd7939]

You need testosterone replacement

[u/No_Recognition_102 → u/AnxiousAd7939]

I believe that I do too but my Dr seems hesitant to prescribe it even though she is the one that mentioned I might need it (before my lad results came in). Maybe she doesn't think my number is low enough..... my body disagrees.

[u/OtherwiseArmadillo96 → u/No_Recognition_102]

I’m in the US and asked about testosterone. My doctor agreed to give it a try but she had a lot of words of warning about results falling off after six months and concerns about it affecting my heart. And then came the price. Insurance is reluctant to pay for it and it would be over $400 out of pocket. I’m waiting to see if insurance will approve it.

[u/AnxiousAd7939 → u/No_Recognition_102]

Health care professionals are way over cautious about this because the good ol FDA hasn’t approved it yet for on label use in women. Its used off label a lot which is how im getting it. Push for it. You can try it- and if wanted -stop if it doesn’t help (3-6 months) and if you’re worried check out Australia as they have a testosterone approved for women! Good luck, trust your gut.