Latest BMS Statement On The Prescribing of Testosterone

[SebastianFlytesTrousers]

I thought this might be of interest to anyone who might be considering asking to be prescribed testosterone replacement, those who cannot be prescribed it or do not want it or those already using it. This statement was released just a couple of days ago:

https://thebms.org.uk/2024/07/bms-statement-on-testosterone-2/

That's very useful.

There has been a plethora of media articles lately on this including one by Bryony Gordon holding a set of free weights (I didn't read it as it was behind a paywall in the Mail) but the headlines were clear to interpret.

It's helpful for this clarity.

What?!

Given the lack of research, how on earth can they make some of the sweeping statements here? There’s nothing to back it up (‘Even women with no functioning adrenals or ovaries do not have to have testosterone therapy to be well’, ‘There is no evidence to support claims that testosterone will help with other symptoms associated with menopause.’)

The truth is they just don’t know about most of this. Because they can’t be bothered to actually find out.

Feels totally dismissive and gaslighting — a knee-jerk statement without anything to back it up.

The only current evidence-based factual indication for the addition of testosterone to standard HRT, is for persistent low libido in postmenopausal women,

Usually, the BMS produces consensus statements based on international research. It would be very odd to release this statement otherwise.

My interpretation of it is that some private practitioners are making unsubstantiated claims that it can help with many symptoms and the BMS is simply saying there is no research to prove that.

They respond to international research- they don't fund research or carry it out.

They aren't saying that women can't have testosterone.

I’m aware that the BMS doesn’t itself fund research, but the tone of this statement feels really off.

I particularly dislike the first sentence:

Misinformation risks medicalising a normal life stage and render women dependent upon clinicians, some of whom may also be overly promoting treatment with testosterone, which is associated with a high placebo response.

The implication here is that women are reporting benefits from testosterone that are caused by a placebo effect. Given the amount of medical gaslighting women experience already it’s totally tone deaf.

In addition, many women rely on the ‘medicalisation’ of menopause and the input of their clinicians to survive. It might be a normal life stage but it can be totally incapacitating.

Bumping this as there's info. that's of particular interest to women in surgical menopause who may not be able to take or don't want TRT.

@Wantitalltogoaway Sometimes, IMO, the statements by the BMS are aimed more at doctors than women. They obviously can't name particular doctors, but they can show they have an opinion on some prescribing practise. They issued the same kind of 'shot across the bows' regarding very high doses of estrogen.

Testosterone has only even been licensed in women for low libido. I guess that this statement has a lot to do with the feature that's been running in the Mail (they mention the media) where a journalist is describing other positive effects of using it.