Testosterone on NHS

[BigPussyEnergy]

I’m 49, on Evorel Sequi - have been for several years - and also underactive thyroid for 23 years.

Recently (few months) been very stiff, exhausted and suffering with all over aches, joint pain etc. especially my hands and feet.

GP suggested I try HRT 🙄 and when I pointed out I was already on it, said to “keep an eye on my thyroid function” which is within range and I’ve been “keeping an eye on it” for 23 years!!

So frustrating. Anyway. I’m wondering if I might be able to convince her to try testosterone, hoping it will give me more energy, allowing me to exercise and help me build some muscle to support my joints, and also bring back my amazing orgasms, which have eluded me since starting on Citalopram last year.

My clitoris has shrivelled since the start of peri-meno, and I know Testosterone is supposed to help with that. I use topical oestrogen cream which has improved it a bit, but I’d really love to get my old libido back.

If you’re on testosterone:
a) can you get it on the NHS?
b) what symptoms did you present with to get it?

c) has it helped as you hoped it would?
d) any unpleasant side effects?!

Thank you

If you’re on testosterone:
a) can you get it on the NHS?

It depends on your local area formulary. It’s not available on the NHS in my area so I went private

b) what symptoms did you present with to get it?

The NHS can only prescribe for low libido

c) has it helped as you hoped it would?

I have been in testosterone for 3 months. My libido has improved but no other positive benefits yet. Testosterone is a slow-burner though and often takes 6 months to feel the full benefit

d) any unpleasant side effects?!

I wasn’t expecting any, but did feel more irritable, anxious and emotional for the first 2 months. Things have started to settle in the last month.

Thank you for that. So if I want my GP to consider it I need to not mention the energy etc and just focus on libido; that’s handy to know. I presumed they wouldn’t think that was important for women, but glad to know they do!

Side effects are definitely something to consider though.

When dp went, the gp didn't seem to think it was crucial for her to have a libido. Which is kind of sad.
For some reason once she said she was a lesbian, they took her more seriously.
So yes, you're right they don't always take women's libido seriously.
But it is still the only reason it can be prescribed.

I’ve been taking it for 6 months now, it’s definitely made a difference. No side effects for me, I guess I’m lucky, I feel back to my old self. I noticed a difference very quickly. It’s definitely helped my marriage!!

Aw that’s brilliant - so glad it’s been useful for you. I’m currently single but have a FWB so hopefully if I can get some it will make that more fun for me too!

Ugh that’s depressing - why is it not important for heterosexual women to enjoy sex too?!

I got it on the NHS, but have to be referred to a gynae clinic to get it. Now my GP is happy to prescribe.

I wanted it predominantly to restore my sex drive (it has), but mostly because I was finding it hard to orgasm (and have multiples) after decades of the opposite. Pleased to report it has fixed this.

I also muttered about brain fog in case the gynae thought I was all about the sex. I have to say, it does appear to help me focus. And I’ve got into the habit of applying a dose on days when I have a lot of demanding stuff on at work.

Haven’t noticed any side effects at all.

a) can you get it on the NHS?

Yes, mine is prescribed on the NHS. After the initial prescribing I just order it as a repeat prescription from my GP and it turns up in my local chemist.

b) what symptoms did you present with to get it?

Low libido, after total hysterectomy (tbh, it had been declining for years, and I was already 6 years post-menopause at that point). I was referred after my op to the NHS menopause clinic, and the moment I mentioned my non-existent libido, testosterone was recommended. I can't have HRT because of previous cancer (uterus).

c) has it helped as you hoped it would?

Yes, I am no longer dead from the waist down (orgasms - yay!). I'm not exactly jumping on DH 24/7 but it's better. It has definitely given me more oomph generally.

d) any unpleasant side effects?!

I've noticed more body hair....but that could be due to other hormonal changes. It's pretty manageable, though. It also took a couple of months to get going.

The only annoyance has been the recent supply issues. My new pack is a different brand, and I somehow need to apply half a pump (not sure how, exactly). Of course, everything dosage-wise is geared to male use. 🙄

Mine is on the NHS (London if you’re concerned about area dependency). Hasn’t done a thing for my libido but I’m sharper mentally. The (NHS) menopause clinic tried to take it off me when I said no improvement to libido so I had to backtrack a bit! I couldn’t be without it for work.
Yes to more body hair, I am on tostran and started on my stomach and it got furry so now on my bum (which is not). I had laser hair removal years ago and it’s made me decide I need a top up, which I definitely didn’t before. On it for nearly two years now.

Forgot to say I'm in Surrey.

I get it on the NHS, my GP surgery are v pro HRT and were happy to prescribe once I said the magic words 'no libido'.

Have been taking testosterone for just over three weeks and I wanted to have sex for the first time in a year this week.

It is absolutely remarkable the difference it has made. Slightly more energy so far too and my sleep is brilliant.

Sorry. I'm in the south. No side effects yet!

I get Tostran via the NHS for low libido.
Only side effect has been hair growing where I rub it in.

Only side effect for me was I suddenly had insight into what it is like to be a horny teenager. So it worked for me (the effect has toned down a bit now). Gp was happy to prescribe on the nhs once the rest of my hrt had settled.

Thank you all. I’m definitely going to ask for it and see how I get on. I’ve noticed my natural body hair has thinned a lot, so if I get more I’ll just be back to where I used to be. I’ve had laser on armpits and legs etc - will be inerarojf to see if that comes back!

If your GP is reluctant ask to be referred to a menopause clinic. Might be a long waiting list but worth it. Quite disgraceful the way you have to say no libido (ie issue viewed through the male gaze), I’ve found the benefits lie more in building muscle, stamina, focus, and energy.

Those are the benefits I’m
after. How long did it take for you to notice the improvements?

@Hellomisterpleasedtomeetyou I'd say about six months

I’m due to start androfeme and have had it for a few months but too scared to try it. I have practically zero testosterone . My fear is that my hair might shed ( I lost a lot of hair through anaemia and have just had an iron infusion so don’t want to spoil any hair results o might get from that. The other fear is that I might start to look a bit masculine !! I know this is a weird thing to say but I did read somewhere that it can make your features look a bit masculine which I am quite concerned about!! Does anyone have any experience of that?

@Charla20 absolutely not!!

I look the same as I did before.

I've just had my first blood test after I started the testogel and despite using a blob each day, my numbers have only gone up 0.4 in 16 weeks. So my initial test result for free androgen was less than 0.4 and now it is 0.8. Apparently the happy level should be 2.0

So I wouldn't worry about it having a negative impact, especially if you have regular blood test to monitor.

I got it prescribed on the NHS by a practice nurse. I told her I wanted to try and improve my libido and she was happy to prescribe. I used the gel for about two weeks and unfortunately it brought back the horrendous acne that had been the bane of my life for 20 years (but which had gone away as I went into perimenopause). I came off it straight away. No amount of increased libido was going to be worth that for me. I think the research shows it improves libido in about 20% of women who try it so it’s quite a low success rate anyway.

Thank you for putting my mind at rest re turning masculine 😂. My level is 0.4 too and has been for years . I would love to feel just a bit like having sex !!!

I totally understand , I would be the same re the acne. Sorry you didn’t have a positive reaction to it - this whole peri business is never straight forward !

No indeed @Charla20! It’s such an individual thing for each of us to find the right HRT for ourselves and get the balance right.

Citalopram is the worlds most evil drug. When i was on it, my sex drive went through the roof but no matter how hard I went at it with me time, I just couldnt cum, its like a sick joke that stuff. 😅