How much testosterone is ideal for post-menopausal women?

[Brian O'Kane]

Hello! My wife went to a hormone doctor yesterday. She is 50 years old and 4 years post-menopausal. She has been struggling with declining libido for 15 years, and it really started falling off the cliff 4 years ago. The doctor said her testosterone was slightly above average for her age (the number was 50, her testosterone level, also her age), but her progesterone was non-existent, and her estrogen was very low. So instead of prescribing her testosterone, he prescribed her estogen cream and oral bioidentical progesterone. He also prescribed her a female Cialis-like drug. But I have read that some BHRT doctors try to up testosterone to as high as 150-250. Her doctor didn't rule out upping her testosterone in the future after she gets her estrogen and progesterone up, however. Does this make sense? Has anyone here got BHRT and heard a similiar thing?

[Crow]

I don't really know ideal levels, but I do have some background.

My wife was prescribed testosterone by her FORMER hormone doctor years ago and it did nothing for her libido. That doctor did not address her progesterone and estrogen numbers.

Her new doctor is primarily focusing on giving her bioidentical progesterone pills and a cream that has both progesterone and testosterone. Her progesterone was non-existent this time. Her estrogen is only slightly low, and the testosterone cream is intended to raise estrogen from natural conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

One of the lessons I've learn from this (and elsewhere) is that increased testosterone in women won't necessarily increase libido if progesterone and estrogen levels are off. Estrogen levels that are high compared to progesterone can provoke depression and anger

[Brian O'Kane]

Oh, thank you for your response. That makes sense... makes me feel like the doctor is on the right track with upping her progesterone and estrogen first.