Testosterone

[GezFox]

Hi - does anyone else take testosterone since hitting the menopause? I understand you can only get on private prescription in the UK . I am seriously considering. Already use estrederm patches, plus Mirena coil but libido rock bottom. Would really help to know if anyone has had positive / negative results from using! Thanks 😊

I'll be interested in the replies! I'd also consider a private prescription for this.

Might as well, got nothing to lose if the world's going to hell in a handcart.

I do! My libido hit rock bottom and idea on intimacy revolted me..... also was having problems with sleep .
I saw a private doctor - and take a small amount of testosterone every day. And also progesterone at night . I first saw him about 3 years ago and my oestrogen levels were fine...... I don't think they are now - and I am really struggling, so suspect I now need oestrogen. But adding low levels of testosterone abs progesterone changed my life!

Thanks @mrslaughan ! Good to hear. Which cream were you prescribed? I have read about Androfeme and do you mind me asking how much? Thanks 😊

The testosterone itself is not expensive - and it's a sub lingual lozenge - it's not a "brand" - he has it compounded by a pharmacy in Greece (though I know he was looking for options in the UK post Brexit)What is pricey is the private blood test ...... where he checks your hormone levels so he knows how much you need. I am not sure if you could find a doctor to give it to you without that?
I only take a tiny amount - but it's amazing the difference it makes.

I tried it. It was a cream you rub in your thigh. I did it for a couple of months and I felt it did bog all so I stopped.

I've also got a mirena and am on 100mcg Estradot.

@mrslaughan

I do! My libido hit rock bottom and idea on intimacy revolted me..... also was having problems with sleep . I saw a private doctor - and take a small amount of testosterone every day. And also progesterone at night . I first saw him about 3 years ago and my oestrogen levels were fine...... I don't think they are now - and I am really struggling, so suspect I now need oestrogen. But adding low levels of testosterone abs progesterone changed my life!

Most meno experts will not give testosterone without estrogen.

I don't think lozenges are licensed. What meno drs hrere use is the testosterone gel (for men) but women use a tiny amount.

I use a cream formulated for women called Androfemme. It is imported from Australia where it is produced and prescribed to me by Newson Health along with my oestrogen and progesterone. My libido is grateful.
It wasn’t just that my libido was declining, I also had an issue with orgasm which had become more elusive and less intense. All thankfully restored to normal now.
I think the Androfemme costs about £80-£90 a tube at the moment and lasts me about 6 weeks on my pea sized daily dose.

I do. The area I live in is pretty rubbish for meno care and I was researching going privately in England however after multiple trips to the Dr, eventually got a regime that works.
After discussing loss of libido, my Dr consulted with gynae at local hospital who recommended testosterone. It hasn’t been a magic bullet, but does help. I realise if I don’t have testosterone, I also get terrible aches and pains in my joints.
So at the minute,I use two pumps of oestrogel, tiny amount of testogel daily and ovestin cream (inserted vaginally) and progesterone tablet daily at night. Together it keeps me ticking over though I still have meno issues (sleeplessness, irritability etc)

Be careful.. I was given testogel and started driving like a lunatic and hair where I didn’t want it.. I now take something similar but without those side effects!

@Ibizafun really? I do worry but haven’t noticed anything like that! What do you take that’s similar?

GreenSalon perhaps the dose I was given was too high! I now take a lozenge loaded with oestrogen, progesterone and something similar to testogel but I don’t have the name I will find out but it’s only a very small dose

I'm on testosterone gel but it is prescribed by my GP (I'm in Scotland) so I get it free. I asked my GP specifically for this to help with libido and lack of concentration. As it's not licensed for women in the UK yet my GP referred me to the local menopause clinic and the consultant there okayed it. The consultant wrote to my GP and my GP happily prescribes it for me every month. I got testosterone levels checked twice in the year I started it but none since on the consultant's advice.
I use Testogel sachets and apply a pea sized blob to my thigh every second day.
I was very keen to start this after I read that women produce more testosterone than oestrogen and the production of this lowers at menopause. I think it has helped with libido, lack of concentration and confidence and I've had no side effects.

Thanks everyone! I am definitely going to talk to my GP about it . She was quite dismissive last time but it's been nearly a year now in HRT and it's not getting any better. I have a friend who has a testosterone implant ( she has very early meno ) and she says says has never felt better. I know it's different for everyone but definitely worth exploring further x