Testosterone Proprionate for Women

Pharma TRT
1


Hi guys,

I am a 49 year old woman in peri or full on menopause. I read about using TRT for women, and since I am very active and wouldn’t mind putting on some muscle as well as balancing my hormones, I started with test proprionate E3D protocol. After messing around with different dosages, I settled on 10mg as the dose. Libido is optimal.

However, even though I was not in a calorie surplus, I put on approx 7 lbs within 2 weeks (has to be water). My muscles are larger (I assume it mostly water), my strength increased dramatically, but I am struggling a bit with a ‘soft’ look, which I assume is water retention under the skin.

Questions:

  1. Should I be taking an aromatase inhibitor to control esterification? Certainly I need some conversion, I’m just not sure if too much is going on.
  2. How can I control the edema? I have done some reading that suggests testosterone effects water balance through renal pathways, and I wonder if that explains the 7 lb water weight gain. I have been on this regimen for 2 months now, and the weight has stayed high.

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I did do some thread searching, but didn’t find any protocols specifically for women.

At present, I run and do kettlebells pretty intensly. I do not lift heavy, though have been considering it. My photo is current. I think my body fat is ~ 17 to 18% as this is what the calipers showed before I began the regimen. However, with all this subcutaneous water, the readings now show 23%.

Any thoughts, comments are welcome.

2

Unfortunately, we don’t have too many women around. KSMAN may have some insight for you, he is our resident expert. Sounds like you are on the righ track though with your thoughts - the T prop is likely your source of weight (water) gain. You might think about switching to test cyp, the longer half-life may be of some benefit to you. Most of us here are using it SQ rather than IM, with a 2x/weekly or E3D injection.

3

Is that T dose stopping your cycles? If so, lab work would be useful as levels will be steady.

I don’t think that you should be seeking E2=0, too many metal/mood problems and health risks.

Progesterone balances estrogens, perhaps you need more of that. If T is lowering your LH/FSH, then progesterone is then lower too. Progesterone protects breast, uterus and arteries from the effects of estrogens. Suggest KAL brand progesterone cream, get from amazon.com Progesterone can help with bloat in peri women, so may work well in your context.

Women start loosing prolactin levels in their thirties.

Yes, low doses of anastrozole can modulate E2 levels. E2 opposes the effects of T in men, would expect some of the same in women. Be careful, it has a longer half life and as you take it, your levels are increasing for a week before steady state. Then if you think that something is wrong, you are stuck with that level for a few days. If you lower E2, your HPTA may try to make a lot of LH and that can be hot flashes if your HPOA freaks out.

Aromatization, not esterification. Please see the advice for new guys sticky for more medical terminology.

You will be gaining muscle mass, so hard to attribute to water gain.

Do you have a history of tender breasts during your cycles. If so, would they then not be making some indication of your E2 status?

Make sure that you are getting iodine. Your thyroid levels have a major effect on energy balance. Iodine is also important for breast health and women store iodine in their breast tissue, with total body stores higher than men have. Refer to thyroid basics sticky.

Many here inject T SC with insulin needles. 1/2" #29 0.5ml, cheap for boxes of 100

If cycling, might take a cycle or two for your body to find its balance. Suggest progesterone because you need it in any case.

4

Thank you so much for replies! I do have progesterone cream, I just wasn’t sure if I needed it or not. I will start using it again.

We do use insulin needles as my husband is a diabetic and we have lots of those laying around.

Clarification: I do not have a cycle. Have not had one in several years, though I did have one when I started taking Deprogen ARS, which made me feel crap, not sure if it was related to low E2 or not. So I stopped taking it.

Thank you for suggesting the cyprionate. Once we are done with this vial, we’ll get some.

I do take a supplement with iodine.

Again, thank you so very much!

5

All test esters will work. The different esters deliver different amounts of T after the varying weights of the ester groups are removed. So changes of T types can have some effect. Mainly they affect the delivery curve.

Because you do not have cycles, lab work will represent your hormone levels at any time.

You look very trim and healthy! [I do not see water weight.]

To reduce needle bruising, press on injection site for 10-15 seconds after the needle comes out. That allows small vessels to seal off and prevents most bleed-bruise events.

6

Thank you again. I was concerned by water weight because weight gain was so fast (2 weeks) and seems subcu (increased readings with skinfold calipers). Definitely am stronger and muscles look larger.

I have ordered the Progesterone cream!