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

My T level was 0.3 and the private menopause doctor wasn't up for prescribing. The NHS GP suggested she wouldn't be able to prescribe at all.

i am currently 56, I got mine privately about 1 year ago (very lucky to have a menopause specialist dr at my work surgery) but haven’t run out of the initial script which cost me about £60. I do use it sporadically as I thought it might have been contributing to hair loss. The joy of menopause is that it just keeps giving I keep getting new symptoms - the most recent being dryness and clitoral/vaginal atrophy. I think I’m going to start using the testosterone gel more often now and will see if I get it prescribed on NHS for my top up. Top tip (from meno dr) is to put T-gel on the backs of your knees - I have had a few hairs sprout at top of calves but no hairy patches.

I currently use progesterone tablets, a oestrogen spray (seemed to have issues absorbing oestrogen gel), oestrogen pessaries (have upped these recently to deal with dryness). Does anyone have any suggestions for alleviating dryness? Anyone have experience of the external gels creams? Has that helped with sensation?

edited to add age as I feel that is important for others on this journey

The good news is that if your GP refuses to prescribe testosterone you can buy it very easily from Superdrug for about £20. It's just a short questionnaire you have to fill in and it arrived vest 2 days later. The Testogel pump pack lasts you about 10 months as you just use a pea sized amount.

In their fertile years women actually produce far more testosterone than estrogen. Obviously we need to keep it topped up during peri menopause/menopause.