really want to lower testosterone

friskilyn · 12-15-2002, 12:32 AM

hi...i posted here before and some recommended saw palmetto and I have tried it. it seems to be working slightly...i see some also suggest vitex...i will look into this...but what i am also concerned about is viriliazation (masculine features) which i seem to have gotten a few years ago....i want to go back to the way i used to look...soft and feminine...not harsh and manly like i do now. what can i do to reverse or at least stop virilization??? this has been such a big problem in my life...i have grown into a social phobe because i am so sick of people saying to me "gee you look sooo different than what you used to look like". NO ONE says you look different unless you look worse. I look different to myself and all i want is myself back...so any help is greatly appreciated.
thank you so much for your help.

carrie1602 · 12-15-2002, 10:02 PM

I think that has to do with the increased testosterone circulating, and if you continue to use the saw palmetto or bc pills, it should help...what kind of features have changed on you?

Maybe some other cysters have suggestions? Good luck

friskilyn · 12-15-2002, 11:31 PM

well i was on bcps for a few years and it really did nothing but make my periods regular. i do get my period without bcp...but it is not regular.
as for what changed on me...my nose more masculine looking..sort of straight and pointy...it wasn't like that before..before it was upturned..my face shape changed from looking like my mom's to looking like my dad's...i don't know...it is just so upsetting...it isn't me just being insecure..other people notice. i just don't look like myself and am really depressed by it. i get so jealous about friends....they look exactly like they did growing up...and here i have changed so much almost everyone i run into who i haven't seen in a while says i look different....i haven't gained weight or lost it...i just look different...i feel at a loss i don't know if anything will help me with the viriliazaiton.

carrie1602 · 12-17-2002, 12:41 AM

What about talking to your doc about spiro or those other drugs specifically for that?! Don't lose hope, and please give herbs a chance, it can take months for the full effects to be seen..vitex won't hurt either, it tends to stabilize wacky hormones...

Maureen77 · 12-17-2002, 06:15 PM

I don't mean to scare you, but virilization is a rather serious side effect. What about your voice deepening or clitoris growing larger? If you do not have these it might not be as serious though.

Have you been through a full battery of tests for all your androgen levels? It could be something other than PCOS, such as an andrenal disorder like Cushing's Syndrome or Adult Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

What is your testosterone number? Because masculinization could be due to cortisol or DHEAs. I think you should see an endo who is well studied in this. I'm a big believer in finding out your true hormonal issue that is causing your symptoms before treatment, herbal or pharmalogical.

Also know that your total testosterone may be artifically elevated due to your taking saw palmetto, be sure your doctor knows you are on it. It depends on how the labs test it. Your free testosterone should be a more accurate test (saw palmetto lowers this, which is why there is more circulating, non-active, total testosterone in your blood).

friskilyn · 12-17-2002, 08:07 PM

well...i have actually thought about cushing syndrome...i talked to my doctor about it one time and she said I absolutely do not have it. she says it is a mild case of pcos. before i went to the endo...my testosterone was 99. that prompted me to go see the endo and then she diagnosed me and put me on bcp and spiro (i can't take spiro...i makes me feel sick). a few months after getting diagnosed ...i tried to get my testosterone checked again...buy my doc gave me the run around...and said i didn't need the test...let me tell you i hate LAZY doctors!! cover up the symptoms and it will all be ok..now here is my bill. anyway...i am now taking saw palmetto and just started the vitex. i honestly don't know what else to do..as all my doctors seem to know nothing.

Maureen77 · 12-18-2002, 05:51 PM

I seriously do not understand why dr.'s are like this! I have been there done that, I know exactly how you feel. It's ridiculous. Did you get copies of your tests to check these numbers yourself? It's the law, you can just call their office and have the staff mail you copies. I really think you should seek out an endocrinologist that does seem to know something!

That testosterone number is pretty high, how's your insulin control because that will definately effect your testost.?

Spiro made me sick too (migraines)

friskilyn · 12-18-2002, 07:55 PM

yeah...i have heard that it was a high number. i have no idea what it is now. i don't know about my insulin control...i suspect i have ir but that endo i saw told me besides my testosterone...all my other tests were within normal range and didn't put me on any meds for ir. i am going to go to the doc sometime soon and
get that checked out (possibility of ir i mean). as for the endo...i am going to hold off on that for a little bit. i might have my gyn do tests on testosterone just to see how i am doing with that. i am so tired of moving around from doc to doc because they are incompetant or just don't care. i am just going to try the herbal route for a bit and see how that helps.