Warlobo...............

[thebabydoc]

I sometimes write Estratest for MENOPAUSAL women who are complaining of problems with libido, although I am quite careful to discusss side effects (acne, hair growth, deepening of the voice, etc...) and limit its duration/frequency of use. Women who are surgically menopausal (ovaries removed) might be more prone to need it, as even after menopause the ovaries continue to produce small amounts of testosterone.

If you are using AS, then you really shouldn't need estratest. Estrace alone will do for menopause (if you have no uterus). You might, however get accustomed to the increased levels of testosterone/androstenedione from the AS and feel that you do need that little extra bit of testosterone in estratest when you're off cycle. Furthermore, the AS in and of itself will have a bone-sparing effect (as will the weight-bearing exercise) so the estrogen's only true role would be to avaid vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes).

babydoc

 

[wilson6]

At 2.5 mg/d methyl-T isn't that bad. It's just one of those dirty old androgens that is extensively metabolized by the liver so not much gets into circulation and has been show to have some adverse psych effects. So, why use it when there are better options (either OX or T-gel) combined with an estrogen.

I'm really surprised that BTG hasn't done a clinical study with oxandrolone (Oxandrin) to investigate its effects on libido in women. Because it is not extensively metabolized by the liver and has minimal hepatotoxic effects in low doses (10 mg or less) because of the oxo group at the 3-carbon position I would think it be a good androgen for women because there is little risk of virilization in low doses. But, the issue of bone density seems to be one more dependent on estrogen than androgens. If you look at case studies of men with no E receptors, they have bone density problems even though they have normal blood levels of estrogen and testosterone and normal androgen receptor density. Thus, an androgen that doesn't aromatize could be a problem in post-menopausal women unless it is combined with some estrogen. They could call it estravar. Hmmmmmm...........

Agree, why use estratest with an AAS? If you're premenopausal you probably don't need the estrogen and the methyl-T even at higher doses doesn't do squat for building muscle mass. 2.5mg/d will have no effect and it will just drop your HDL and add to your liver burden if you're using another oral AAS.

Rather than using estratest when coming off a cycle, why not just use androstenedione? It will provide some androgen along with estrogen. May help the libido from crashing but won't do anything for body comp. Probably still go with a dot of androgel when coming off or for bridging cycles if your doc will write for it.

W6