Testogel?

[WhiteHairReally]

My friend ( no, really ) a non MNetter, has been given this by her Practice Nurse ( who's 'been on a course' and is keen for her patients to try it)
It is supposed to help revive her non existent libido but is usually prescribed for men ( in much greater amounts).
She is very wary, having read the stern messages to male users about not coming into close contact with their female partners whilst using the stuff.

Does anyone have any experience of using it themselves, that they would care to share, to help her make an informed decision?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

There are some comments about testosterone for women in a thread here- about 2 threads down on peri meno.

IMO as a non-medical person but someone who has been on HRT under a top meno consultant for years, this nurse is way out of line.

1 Testosterone for women was withdrawn in the UK in 2012. I have online evidence it was because of health risks (heart attack etc) but another poster said it was due to cost.
2 The only people who are currently able to prescribe it for women are consultant gynaes. I know of one woman personally who uses it.
3 The nurse is completely out of order and it's possible the pharmacy will not honour the prescription when taken if they check the name / qualifications of the person who's signed the script- they have to be a consultant.

Testosterone is sometimes prescribed as part of HRT by consultants including Prof John Studd who is quite keen on it. Yes, its role is to help libido but it does have risks. And most women suing it (IME) are also using oestrogen as HRT because that's the first choice for libiod loss .

The risk of transfer applies to any topical hormonal gel. Women using Oestrogel are not supposed to have skin to skin contact (eg the part of their skin where they applied the gel) with anyone else for 1 hour after application .

I think your friend needs to speak to her GP and inform them what the nurse is up to. This is potentially quite serious.

This is from the British Menopause Society and discusses the withdrawal on the NHS of testosterone for women. It is now 'off label' which means only consultants (am pretty sure) can prescribe it and they have to take responsibility for its use.

www.thebms.org.uk/newsitem.php?newsid=67

Thank you Polly. I'll pass your post on. I'm grateful.

I'm not saying I am right :) BUT I think it's worth your friend asking some questions.

My own consultant does recognise the need for testosterone in women who have had their ovaries removed especially (I've never asked as don't feel I need it) but he does say that it needs careful monitoring.

I've read a lot on other forums ( Menopause Matters) from women who can't get testosterone for love nor money from their GP let alone a nurse, so I just felt it was worth reporting that to you. TBH it might be worth you asking on the MM forum or reading some of the posts about it there. As I said, it's something that a lot of women want to try and have huge issues obtaining on the NHS so either the nurse is truly enlightened and the practice has it all covered or... dunno!

Hi again! For my own curiosity I searched the MM forum and this came up worth a read. The first post says testosterone is not available on the NHS. As they say- go figure!

www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,30246.msg484138.html#msg484138