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? - yes, once my oestrogen had been optimised, my GPs are pretty menopause-progressive
b) what symptoms did you present with to get it? - loss of libido. This is the only thing that will get you testosterone on the NHS
c) has it helped as you hoped it would? - yes. My post-use testosterone bloods went through the roof initially and my libido is all I could hope for
d) any unpleasant side effects?! - no. Not one once I got past the first couple of weeks of feeling as horny as a 15 year old lad and having to resort to personal service 😳

THANK YOU @BigPussyEnergy and everyone who has posted on this thread - I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow so I can request testosterone and this is exactly the information I need. God love Mumsnet, I knew I’d find it here.

I’ve been fairly steady on HRT for a couple of years (currently Mirena + Oestrogel) but my libido has been awol for at least twice as long and I really need to get it back for the sake of my marriage and my very patient husband. A bit of help clearing the brain fog would be an added bonus 😭

I recently had an appointment with my GP for all the same reasons. Expected to leave with a prescription, but no. Had to have a blood test to confirm levels were low, and then a referral to a clinic to discuss options. Unfortunately levels were fine. I’m considering a private clinic now

I got testosterone from the NHS but it took over a year. I had to ask to be referred to a specialist menopause clinic. When I said I'd read good things about testosterone for the menopause on Mumsnet, the Consultant dismissively said, "well of course people will talk about the positives on social media, but it only works for about 50% of women." I thought 50% sounded like pretty good odds - definitely worth a try.

Anyway, it has been fantastic! I was warned that side effects could include irritability or weight gain. I have had no bad side effects at all, not even more body hair - although the hair on my head is definitely more thick and glossy.

Best of all is that my libido bounced back. And having a brilliant sex life means that I just have more reserves to cope with every day stresses, like the demands of elderly parents. I've read that it can take weeks for the testosterone to kick in, but I'm certain that it restored my va va voom pretty quickly.

I was so impressed with it that I recommended it to my sister, who got it privately within a week. If you have the funds I would definitely recommend getting it privately, because why suffer with symptoms when there's a good chance that an outlay of £150 can transform your life. (Once it's been prescribed you can then get the repeat prescriptions from your GP).

Best of luck to everyone out there who is going through this!

In the UK are bloods taken to check the levels of testosterone before prescribing, and to monitor while taking it?

i did not have bloods taken before starting testosterone. Just three months after

I had bloods taken before I started T, after 7 months on HRT.

The result was 'free androgen index, too small to detect', so basically I had no testosterone.

Interesting, they are usually checked here in Ireland and prescribed if v low - if your GP is one that will prescribe

Following with interest. I'm more concerned about brain fog and loss of energy than libido. And just like OP, I've started to get all achey. I'm already on Evorel 100, so don't know where to go other than down the testosterone route.

I just had my GP appointment and I’m a bit 😳

I’d requested a female GP (didn’t request a specific one, it’s a big practice) and I got a doctor I think I’ve seen once many before years ago, and I remember finding her a bit fierce then. I would guess she’s in her 60s now.

She was incredibly unwelcoming from the off. I said I wanted to request testosterone and she looked visibly disapproving. She muttered a few things about it being untested, clearly trying to dissuade me, then she said ‘oh I give up’ (!!) and pulled out a book to consult on dosage. She said ‘we don’t want to virilise you’ and I thought I was going to have a fight in my hands but to be fair she did agree to prescribe it. My god though she made me feel like a naughty child asking for sweets. Horrible woman. At no point did she ask me about other symptoms, how I’m getting on with HRT, anything else. i couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Anyway, I’ll get my testosterone, hoping for a good result 🤞 And I’ll know to request NOT to see that GP next time.

Following with interest! Glad you managed to get some.
I was prescribed everol patches ( plus mirena) for perimenopause. I went to the GP with lethargy and no libido.
I think I feel a little less tired but it’s done nothing for libido. It’s only been 6 weeks or so though

Hi op @JuneFromBethesda
How are you getting on?

Hi @Applecrumble24 I don’t have the testosterone yet, hoping to pick it up from the pharmacy today.

I’m currently on oestrogen (via Oestrogel) and progesterone (Mirena) - the same as you. I have to say neither one helped with libido or lethargy in my experience, although they did help with my anxiety and sleep issues, and helped me to feel a bit steadier overall.

I still feel that perimenopause is winning though 😞 the bad days are really bad.

Testosterone was a huge game-changer for me. I told my GP (London) I had a low libido and she suggested I try it. It took around 12 weeks to work but has made a massive difference to my life. Not only is my sex drive in overdrive(!) but I have more energy and feel sharper. I would suggest you change the area you apply it regularly (tummy, bum, thighs) as you can get tiny baby hairs growing if you apply to just one place. Ive had no side-effects and have recommended to many friends.

That’s such an encouraging post @sweetiejar321. I hope it has a similar effect on me. I’m finding the brain fog awful at the moment ☹️

Any update op?

I am 0.1 and can barely get out of bed tired, irritable as hell, can’t do any exercise, can’t bear the thought of my partner near me…. Is this similar?!

I’m not on HRT as my doctor says I’m ‘too young’ (42) seeing a private specialist tomorrow- fingers crossed I get something, anything to help

Omg that 'too young' BS gives me the rage!!! So if your GP thinks it isn't perimenopause what is his diagnosis and solution to fix how you have been feeling?!

I gave up and went private and told it’s quite clearly peri and they hear the same story again and again. Lovely clinic in Oxford. I feel so sorry for those with less awareness who fobbed off with anti ds and go for a walk advice.

It's terrible, and the fact they are happy to hand out anti-Ds which can have some serious consequences eg not being simple to just stop taking rather than HRT is beyond baffling to me

I got it on the NHS, it took just over 8 minutes on the phone with my GP.
I knew the guidelines, I had been on an effective dose of hrt for over 6 months and told them I was having libido issues/ absence of orgasms. (I also wanted it for cognative and physical reasons)
The gp had to then mention psyco sexual issues, she knows my now exh, I said I had a had a perfectly functional sexual relationship with myself and wanted my orgasms back.
I had privately paid for a blood test that showed my level was so low they couldn't record it. My gp said she prescribes on symptoms but it was useful to have a base line.

If you’re on testosterone:

a) can you get it on the NHS? Yes, I did. From my GP, no issues at all.

b) what symptoms did you present with to get it? I had to quote the 'low libido' and fatigue line , but also mentioned muscle strength and foggy brain symptoms (I had been on HRT for 2 years)

c) has it helped as you hoped it would? Pretty much. I have blood tests every so often to make sure I'm not taking too much.

d) any unpleasant side effects?! If I take too much, I get the start of acne on my chin. That's the only side-effect I've noticed. I'm on Testogel, and take a small pea-size blob every few days.

Yes!! Thanks for asking @Applecrumble24

Managed to get referred to the meno clinic which was just a phone appointment, quoted the low libido and diminished orgasms as being the reason I need it. I also mentioned shrivelled clitoris and was told it wouldn’t help with that, and that once physiological changes had occurred they couldn’t be reversed. I beg to differ - there has definitely been some ‘plumping’ in that area and I had a mind blowing orgasm shortly after starting it! Think it may have been the shock to my system as it hasn’t been like that again since. But it’s only been a few weeks so I’m persevering and hoping that the levels build and I get my big O back full time and also maybe some more energy etc.

Had the odd spot on my face and also on my thigh where I apply it, but no noticeable other side effects so I’m happy with it so far!

Have also invested in a Womanizer (was only £30 on Amazon) as I read somewhere on here that they can help stimulate blood flow. Also lots of fun!

Side note - I also stopped taking citalopram mainly because I wanted to try some psychedelics and was told they might interfere with it .

Had the citalopram out of my system before starting the testosterone so the increase in libido/sensation is definitely due to the T rather than due to absence of ADs.

Side side note - psychedelics were amazing 🤩