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Original poster

Superdrug is selling testosterone

69 replies

Northernlass99 · 15/11/2022 12:59

So I noticed Superdrug are selling testosterone for women. Its all about libido, and you have to fill in an online form for their online doctor. £18 for 3 satchets which is a months supply I think.

My GP say she can't prescribe me testosterone (and I have checked the local formulary for my area and she is right) but she also won't refer me to a local consultant (plus there is an 18 month wait anyway).

Thinking of trying the Superdrug route - anyone had testosterone from there without the help of their GP? Doesn't look like you need a prescription but I am not sure.

OP posts:
NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/05/2023 17:20

Yes rejected by Superdrug unless I take their test first (they gave me a 10% discount as well) Don't know why they don't say it up front really.
Not sure what to do, I feel like I'm not hitting the spot with just hrt but it's probably something my dr would test (if I can speak to anyone)

TinyRebel · 09/05/2023 17:31

If you want acne on your face and back, head hair loss and body/facial hair gain - which are some of the side effects women experience on testosterone. Exogenous testosterone is really not that great for women (look at how detransitioners have faired), but seems to be the latest trend in private prescribing.

Pharmacies are having dreadful trouble obtaining testogel for the men who actually need it at the moment.

Thesharkradar · 09/05/2023 17:35

UnaOfStormhold · 04/05/2023 17:46

I requested it but was refused because I ticked the box to say I do competitive sports (as in local runs)

crikey, did they say why that was reason enough to refuse you, seems mad to me!
(but thanks for the tip on what not to say👀)

MaybeWednesday · 09/05/2023 17:54

TinyRebel · 09/05/2023 17:31

If you want acne on your face and back, head hair loss and body/facial hair gain - which are some of the side effects women experience on testosterone. Exogenous testosterone is really not that great for women (look at how detransitioners have faired), but seems to be the latest trend in private prescribing.

Pharmacies are having dreadful trouble obtaining testogel for the men who actually need it at the moment.

What!!!

Have you even tried it!

It's life changing for me.

No studies to back up any of what you posted. No fucking studies at all, you know coz it's only women's health. But don't get me stared on that rant.

I would lose 10 years of my life rather than come off testosterone and HRT.

And I was completely against going on. In fact it was over 4 years after my menopause that I went on it. Fucking life changing.

Felt the best I felt since I was 15 and my periods started.

Pollyputhekettleon · 09/05/2023 19:15

MaybeWednesday · 09/05/2023 17:54

What!!!

Have you even tried it!

It's life changing for me.

No studies to back up any of what you posted. No fucking studies at all, you know coz it's only women's health. But don't get me stared on that rant.

I would lose 10 years of my life rather than come off testosterone and HRT.

And I was completely against going on. In fact it was over 4 years after my menopause that I went on it. Fucking life changing.

Felt the best I felt since I was 15 and my periods started.

Show quote history

That's amazing. What did it help you with? It's funny how it helps some and not others. Maybe it's the dose.

Pollyputhekettleon · 09/05/2023 19:17

Thesharkradar · 09/05/2023 17:35

crikey, did they say why that was reason enough to refuse you, seems mad to me!
(but thanks for the tip on what not to say👀)

Show quote history

Testosterone is a steroid so is banned in all competitive sports rules. Although local parks runs etc probably have no such rules! They're covering themselves by making it too broad a question.

Swansandcustard · 09/05/2023 19:21

Interested to hear how you all get on. I was taken off HRT after my MI, so wonder if I would be allowed. Quite fancy chasing DH around the house again!

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/05/2023 21:31

TinyRebel · 09/05/2023 17:31

If you want acne on your face and back, head hair loss and body/facial hair gain - which are some of the side effects women experience on testosterone. Exogenous testosterone is really not that great for women (look at how detransitioners have faired), but seems to be the latest trend in private prescribing.

Pharmacies are having dreadful trouble obtaining testogel for the men who actually need it at the moment.

It's carefully measured to replicate the amount of testosterone in women's bodies naturally! There's a shortage of 'female' HRT as well. Wonder where that's gone?

WarriorN · 09/05/2023 21:36

TinyRebel · 09/05/2023 17:31

If you want acne on your face and back, head hair loss and body/facial hair gain - which are some of the side effects women experience on testosterone. Exogenous testosterone is really not that great for women (look at how detransitioners have faired), but seems to be the latest trend in private prescribing.

Pharmacies are having dreadful trouble obtaining testogel for the men who actually need it at the moment.

I've had zero negative side effects and bloods showed slightly over replaced. No spots or anything.

One chin hair but I had far more pre hrt. It's not come back so I assume was an early on thing.

Pastryapronsucks · 10/05/2023 11:08

Sent off my blood test today 🙃

UnaOfStormhold · 10/05/2023 20:58

Pollyputhekettleon · 09/05/2023 19:17

Testosterone is a steroid so is banned in all competitive sports rules. Although local parks runs etc probably have no such rules! They're covering themselves by making it too broad a question.

Show quote history

Men can get a medical exemption to take testosterone to top up their levels to the standard male zones, but women can't get a medical exemption to take the tiny amounts required to get to the standard female levels as part of HRT. There's a scottish female athlete, I think a cyclist, who is currently trying to challenge this policy as she has to choose between adversely affecting her health or having to give up competing.

Bookist · 11/05/2023 12:23

If you wanted to get around paying £50 for the blood test, you can just fill in the on-line questionnaire and pretend to be a man. Men aren't required to do any blood tests because it's vitally important that men's lives are made as easy as possible. And God forbid they can't quickly access a vital hormone like testosterone which massively improves their well being.

Pollyputhekettleon · 12/05/2023 07:28

UnaOfStormhold · 10/05/2023 20:58

Men can get a medical exemption to take testosterone to top up their levels to the standard male zones, but women can't get a medical exemption to take the tiny amounts required to get to the standard female levels as part of HRT. There's a scottish female athlete, I think a cyclist, who is currently trying to challenge this policy as she has to choose between adversely affecting her health or having to give up competing.

Show quote history

I didn't know that, that's appalling but not surprising.

WarriorN · 12/05/2023 08:01

If anyone is on thyroxine, starting testosterone seems to have meant I need less thyroxine. Worth asking to get that checked as I went a little hyper.

Google says it can increase affect it somehow.

Martinisarebetterdirty · 12/05/2023 08:27

I didn’t have blood tests to be prescribed testosterone from my GP, nor at the menopause clinic. I’ve been on HRT and testosterone for 2 years now and not had a blood test, should I be doing?
My chin hairs have got worse but am tria lasering them to keep them under control. I also had a delightful furry patch on my stomach where I’d applied the gel, now apply to my bum cheek (the furry patch has been lasered too and is back to normal). No acne or anything like that here.

SadSausage44 · 08/09/2023 13:48

Hi all, I appreciate this discussion was back in May, but I just wondered how the ladies who got their Testogel from Superdrug are doing?
After spending a fortune on a private dr for HRT I decided to go via Superdrug for Testosterone. I did the home test and my results came back at the absolute low end of 'normal '.
So I paid my £18 and the gel sachets arrived today.
I was wondering, for any of you who did go ahead with the gel, how long it took for energy levels and libido to go up, if at all?
Thanks!

Stroopwaffels · 08/09/2023 16:08

Reading with interest too. Think I may benefit but might see gp about it as I am also on thyroxine.

WarriorN · 08/09/2023 18:55

Gp may not know; I'd ask them to do a thyroid test first for baseline. Definitely also a testosterone test and an FAI test. If testosterone is low, and your tsh is v suppressed it might be wise to start with a half dose? If tsh is a bit higher, around 1-1.5 it may be ok. I seemed balanced on less oestrogen, half dose testosterone and less thyroxine, so tsh was 0.8. I seem to be v sensitive to hormones though. Everyone is different.

I've had to come off all hrt; at the moment I'm doing well. No idea if it will last. I am following a strength building programme and increased protein/ reduced carbs in my diet; I swear it's had a similar effect.

Pastryapronsucks · 08/09/2023 20:45

I have been taking it for about 4 months. I have a bit more energy and not so tired. But not as energised as I had hoped. Hasnt done much for my joint pain. But my libido is back, didnt realise how much i has missed it😃

I had a menopause work shop at my workplace with a doctor from the Newson clinic, she wondered wether I might be lacking in eostrogen still due to poor absorption (i am on 100 patches) and was talking about active
women having a much higher base line testosterone level than average. I would like to experiment with taking a slightly higher dose. I think I am going to bite the bullet and try and get a private consultation.

Pastryapronsucks · 08/09/2023 21:01

Oh and no side effects, apart from spending too much money at love honey😜

SadSausage44 · 08/09/2023 22:08

Oh ..... to want to have a splurge at Lovehoney again, lucky you😂I fancy the pants off my partner....... but my vagina is currently closed for business 🙄Really hoping the Testogel is going to help.

Pastryapronsucks · 09/09/2023 08:38

The libido thing wasn't instant, it was about months in. A staurday afternoon and I became aware that I 'felt horny'. I dont think I have felt like that since bc (before children). I have of course had and enjoyed sex, but the urge to initiate had long gone.

Pastryapronsucks · 09/09/2023 08:38

About 2 months in

Bubbles254 · 09/09/2023 09:03

Does anyone know how accurate the blood test for testosterone is? With female hormones for hrt the advice is not to test levels as they vary so much day to day. I am wondering if the same is true for testosterone.

Bubbles254 · 09/09/2023 09:10

Also just looked at the pricing, £18 for 3 sachets at superdug. £1.30 per sachet at pharmacy4u