Does anyone take testosterone?

[Nickersnackersnockers]

Louise Newson takes the male form I think as testosterone for women is not licensed.

Heard it can be prescribed for women and can work wonders.

Who is on it here?

@AllTheSunshine I was successful on third attempt. I went in very punchy and said what was actually happening - I was in the process of being made redundant, had to find a new role of which there are very few at my level and not confident I could make it through an interview and demonstrate my capability vs a man of the same age / experience . It sounds Dramatic when I write it down but I said if you don't give me this you are denying me the chance of continuing my career. I said I had tried everything else but was confident this is what I needed .
Like you I did not want to go down the fully private route bc costs so much but was prepared to spend £200 to see a consultant privately vs waiting 5m for the menopause clinic to see me
Good luck and keep at it !

@Flapjak I am on testogel and apply a pea sized amount twice per week but I know the dosage seems to be so random depending on the GP . My consultant prescribed half pea sized but I went full pea

Has anyone lost or put on weight since taking testosterone?

@AllTheSunshine

Good news GezFox I'm on Androfem from the Newson clinic but it's costing £££. Any tips on how I can persuade/insist my GP prescribes it on the NHS please? It makes me angry that this level of treatment isn't open to all women regardless of income. I can afford it for now (just) - but what about the women who can't?

I get Testim (cheaper) prescribed through the Newson Clinic.

I'm 5 weeks into testosterone prescribed by my gp. I haven't yet got the dosage right though. I'm trying to guess a pea a day but so far I'm way out and the pouches are lasting waaayyy too long! So far no change.

Someone asked about how to get it from your gp. They can prescribe off licence. Lots of medicines are. But you have to lay it on thick for them to listen. And you MUST say your libido is poor/non existent even if its not. Gp's will only start listening then as its just about the only reason they will prescribe.

There's no doubt I harangued my gp and wore her down. I phoned gynaecology (she referred me to gynae as said she could not prescibe) and then I just downright pestered her as I know women do not need a gynae referral to obtain testosterone.

I have not put on weight hollyhocks.

Good luck!

Yep you really have to go on about the libido, to get testosterone, even though i found it has helped more with brain fog. It really annoys me that men can walk into a chemist and buy viagra no issues.

I wanted to ask - there was a terrifying thread on mumsnet recently about a bloke who was prescribed it and it affecting his toddler. I realise the dosage must be very different for menopausal women rather than a man - but looking around the net there is such a lot of contradictory advice. Do those of you who use it have to be careful how you apply? Does it just wash off? Is there any problem to others from using it? The other thing I read about is "irreversible changes". Again - does this apply to menopausal women? What irreversible changes are they talking about? If you don't like it and come off it again - are there irreversible changes or is this just scary things I'm reading that don't apply in these cases?

Thanks for the encouragement to keep trying.
I will.

@menopauseadventurer what happened to his todler? Actually wondering if you mis-typed todger! 😆

I started a thread on this recently. I was prescribed tostran gel a month ago by the practice menopause specialist who is actually a pharmacist so I never even saw a GP (just had a HRT review with nurse). Been on estradot patches for 5 years. I complained about my libido which is the gatekeeping symptom.
I had to have a blood test and my level was just below prescribing threshold even though it was described as normal within the range I believe they use to measure PCOS in women.
It has been life changing in all the ways I hoped. Biggest wins are libido and energy levels. I haven’t lost weight but I look like I have because my fat to muscle ratio has improved. I do one resistance training class per week plus Pilates but nothing too remarkable and yet my muscles are coming back finally, they had turned to fat basically.
Finally I feel like I can work towards coming off the antidepressants I was mistakenly prescribed at the beginning of my symptoms 6 years ago.
No extra hair growth but I do occasionally feel insanely irritable for fleeting moments, but could be stress as I’m having a stressful time at the moment.

Sorry to be clear my level was just within the prescribing range, based on the free androgen index for a post menopausal woman. I’ve no idea whether I would be still having periods because I’ve got the mirena coil. I still have plenty of peri symptoms though mainly night sweats at the moment.

@menopauseadventurer you need to wash hands after applying so you don’t transfer it to others

The thread menopause adventurer is referring to claimed the dad was applying correctly and washing his hands etc. However their toddler had insane growth issues.
Apparently doctors were investigating the child's problem but didn't consider the dad's testosterone gel.

We're talking massive issues- not giving specific numbers because my memory for numbers/quantities is appalling. But massive, masculinised toddler. Scary thread.