Testosterone in surgical menopause

[Dufflebag]

Struggling with brain fog, focus, vim and mood - there are also life stress related reasons for this but wondered if some extra support with hrt could help. Am on sandrena (estrogel) which helps a lot in many ways, but as I am in surgical menopause and so relatively young, I wondered if there was evidence for the GP to prescribe testosterone as well? Any advice much appreciated...

Have you had your levels checked? Are you experiencing lack of libido that is causing you distress? I’m in Aus and they would only prescribe for lack of libido causing distress.

Thank you. Good idea to ask for a check of levels - I hadn't thought of that at all. I am just a bit desperate to get my energy back in general!

Im 42, went through surgical menopause at 39.
I started taking testosterone last year after bloods showed levels was in my boots-however I can only get the prescription privately, the NHS won’t prescribe testosterone in menopause

NHS GP here-

I prescribe (many others don't)- usually for low libido if level confirmed low.
Some women do think it helps brain fog but no definite evidence that I'm aware of.

Just make an appointment and ask - if there's any 30/40/50 females in the practice I'd be booking with them as sounds cliche but we're the ones in my place who will prescribe

I'm in surgical menopause and my consultant (who did my hysterectomy) prescribed it for me after a blood test. It's great stuff.

You can buy it from online pharmacies (after a blood test) but it's expensive.

Oh, and the only reason it's licensed for women is to treat low libido. They won't give it for brain fog, low energy, etc. Only libido.

Thank you all. @HenryCavillsWife and @Highflow could I ask, did you get your blood tests done privately too or at GP?

I got mine via my GP because I'd phoned about awful menopause symptoms.

If you get a private/online-pharmacy blood test, make sure you get a venous test, NOT a finger prick test. Venous tests are much more accurate.

Good advice @HenryCavillsWife thank you. I wouldn't have thought of there being a difference in tests

Testosterone is only indicated for very low libido once adequately oestrogenised, not to get general energy back

I had mine done privately with a menopause consultant. First of all she got me on the right dose of eosteogen and progesterone (which my GP will now prescribe), then did the testosterone levels and commenced testosterone once reviewed the results. Although my GP will do the follow up bloods to check testosterone levels and the private consultant can review them

Great, I will look into menopause consultants local to me. Feels positive to make some plans thanks for the advice.