Please tell me your experiences of testosterone - good and bad. How you got it etc...

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I just don't think I can go on as I am and need some joy and motivation back in my life. 3+ years on HRT (estrogen and progesterone). I know I need to explore testosterone replacement, even if privately. But my executive function and brain fog is stopping me from understanding the steps. The fact the NHS are so resistant to prescribing it is a huge barrier. I've had other health issues to contend with and had lots of other appointments the past year - I've not had the bandwidth for adding one more thing.

Recently I was diagnosed with osteoporosis - aged 52. I've read that low testosterone can lead to cartilage loss and I'm no longer willing to sit back and remain potentially deficient in something that could help.

I know loss of libido is the only way it will be prescribed on the NHS.

Questions:

Do GPs prescribe it or do they have to refer you?

On what grounds can you get a referal to a menopause clinic? Would being diagnosed with ADHD be good grounds?

If I go private do I have to go to a menopause clinic and remain under them for everything? What are the costs?

Do I have to be on maximum estradiol before anyone would consider prescribing testosterone? I've been on the highest doe but it did not improve my symptoms beyond being on 75.

Is hair growth a huge issue? I have a problem with facial hairs growing. Will Testosterone definitely make it worse?

I need someone to tell me what to do and just don't trust a GP is going to be sympathetic and not fob me off.

The surgery I attend will not prescribe testosterone at all, I went through surgical menopause nearly a decade ago. The resistance is very frustrating, I can’t afford to be seen privately.

The surgery I work in (different health authority) will only consider prescribing it if you have been prescribed it privately and they then write to your GP asking for them to continue prescribing. This is on the understanding that the private menopause specialist you see does the regular blood tests to check levels etc.

the waiting list for the menopause clinic in our area is over 18 months-2 years apparently so they didn’t really mention that as an option for patients re testosterone. They did say about hair growth and said it was a risk, so it’s important to have monitoring blood tests etc, but that they would have to be paid for privately.

Maybe if you mention your rough area, or local health authority, someone will be able to give you the info for your area? Or Google you local area health board and off licence testosterone use for menopause, you may get the info you need. I hope you manage to get some answers.

Interestingly I follow a meno specialist on TT and she posted this recently about strengthening bones of anyone who has concerns about developing osteoporosis.

vm.tiktok.com/ZNdqLDvw1/

I had it for a while, until my blood levels went far too high. It was prescribed online via Superdrug. I had to have a blood test first (about £45) to check my levels, then fill in a questionnaire, then I had it prescribed and sent to me. Repeat bloods after approx 6 months showed my high blood levels so it wasn't prescribed again. I was advised to get repeat the blood test after a few months if I wanted another prescription, but I decided not to bother.
It didn't really make much of a difference to how I felt.

I’ve copied and pasted your question with answers below-

Do GPs prescribe it or do they have to refer you?
depends on the GP. My GP instantly referred me to the local menopause clinic and the consultant there started it for me. My GP now prescribes it on an ongoing basis. Just make an appointment with your GP, say you have low libido and take it from there. If your GP won’t prescribe just go private if you can.

On what grounds can you get a referal to a menopause clinic? Would being diagnosed with ADHD be good grounds?
In my area women would be referred that have any complex issues relating to menopause. So my low libido was deemed complex enough to refer me. I don’t know if ADHD will be good grounds.

If I go private do I have to go to a menopause clinic and remain under them for everything? What are the costs?
Don’t know-I’ve never had to go private for any part of my HRT.

Do I have to be on maximum estradiol before anyone would consider prescribing testosterone? I've been on the highest doe but it did not improve my symptoms beyond being on 75.
No of course not. You just need to be on oestrogen. It doesn’t matter what strength as everyone responds individually to it.

Is hair growth a huge issue? I have a problem with facial hairs growing. Will Testosterone definitely make it worse?
No not at all, I have some very light hairs just on the area I rub it into (top of my left thigh) so it’s not a problem. It hasn’t affected my facial hairs at all.

I need someone to tell me what to do and just don't trust a GP is going to be sympathetic and not fob me off.
Make an appointment and see how you get on.

I would say testosterone has made very little difference to how I feel though so maybe don’t get your hopes up too much. I’m happy to stay on it but I didn’t really notice any effect when I started it.

My Drs practice were reluctant to prescribe testosterone for me. Same as you on estrogen and progesterone, these didn’t help with lack of libido and no energy whatsoever. I found a specialist in my town who is more than happy to let your surgery do the bloods, then she can advise the Drs what kind of medication you require and dosage.

After being on it for two weeks it felt like a switch had turned on. My libido came back big time and so did my energy and muscle strength. You do tend to get hair growth in the area of application. I move the application areas around to try to minimise this, I don’t have any extra chin hairs though.

My menopause Drs prices are very reasonable and I believe she can do zoom appointments. She was the lead Dr at our local menopause clinic, funding was pulled so she set up her own practice, she is very knowledgeable. If you want her details P.M me and I’ll get them for you 😊

I was prescribed testosterone on the nhs about 6 years ago in Wales. I did get a lot of hair growth where I applied it and I didn't feel it made a difference to how I felt so I stopped using it. I was prescribed it for my lack of libido at a menopause clinic. I have facial hair and really disliked that I was growing pubic style hairs where I applied it (tummy, thighs).

Whether they are happy to prescribe depends on the surgery. Mine is very pro.

You MUST say it is predominantly for lack of libido and then list the other symptoms. But the only symptom it is licensed for is low libido so lead with that

i had to be referred to the meno clinic for tesosterone. Only way to get a referral is for low libido and you must be on optimal doses of estrogen first. I think I waited about a year all in. Once I got the referral through it was very easy to get a prescription. After 3 months they checked my bloods and I was double the range I should be so now I take a smaller amount over more days. It’s made big difference but not in terms of brain fog or energy. The biggest change is my mind to body connection and just feeling more like myself. Libido hasn’t shot up but where once intimacy was an absolute no go area now it is a possibility again.

Sorry meant to add, I’ve had no side effects at all. No extra hair growth etc. Infact best I felt was when my levels were sky high, tho obviously I couldn’t stay on that level due to potentially irreversible side effects! What I have found tho is that progesterone damps down the positive effects from testosterone. That may be just me tho as I’m particularly sensitive to progesterone.

I’ve been taking it for about 4 weeks (had to get privately) and it’s been great. Nothing much happened for the first couple of weeks, but over the last week or so have felt like my energy has been boosted and libido increased.
I was very lethargic before.

I’ve been on it around 18 months now, very proactive female GP. Im naturally a bit of a hairy mary anyway but wouldn’t say it’s any worse.

Feel great on it and I have definitely noticed improvement in libido. The first few months were interesting as I wanted sex constantly- but after a while things settled down to something less rabid more manageable 😊

Ive been on it since November (not the UK) it's made a huge difference to my anxiety & motivation. I've also noticed I'm fearless, just like I was in my 20/30s, I'm now 58. The best thing for me is I don't care, I don't worry about upsetting anyone if they are out of line, I don't fret about what I say or doubt myself any longer. I actually feel mentally stronger than ever before. As I now have my years of experience along with a renewed gust for life. Unfortunately my libido is improved a little but still not great, but my DH said I was never that horny in my 30s anyway 😂. No massive hair growth, a few stray chin hairs but nothing major

Hi OP. I've been on it for two years.

My amazing supportive GP prescribed it, all the GPs at our surgery will prescribe. UK.

My libido is significantly improved. It went off a cliff in my late 30s and now I'm basically up for it again.

No difference to energy levels, no difference to muscles (I lifted weights before and still and no difference to ability). No difference to brain fog.

I had stopped growing hairs in my early 40s and now I'm like a bear. My pubes stretch further than they did pre HRT and my neck and chin and cheeks are far hairer. Oddly, the place I rub it in isn't any hairier (top of outside thigh).

Despite this, the blood tests show my T levels have barely climbed!

I go on and off it. The only extra hair I’ve experienced is the spot where I apply it but a quick shave or wax sorts that out. I get a bit spotty if my levels get too high.

Im currently not taking any but seeing the menopause specialist next week to get it re prescribed as testosterone raises dopamine levels and I have adhd so my dopamine levels are low anyway. My libido is on the floor and my brain has ceased to work.

Your specialist sounds great @snippit. And if video consults are an option then so much the better. 🙌 Do you mind if I drop you a DM to get her details?

Another very positive experience here.

i was already on a low dose of HRT. Presented to gp with low mood, loss of libido, general flatness. Started by increasing my oestrogen patches from 25 to 50, which fixed the low mood. Then bloods, and added testosterone. Immediate ludicrous return of libido, felt like a horny teenage lad, but it settled to something more suitable within a couple of months. No hairy patches, no negative side effects.

So I get it now on NHS 😀

I paid for one year of the BUPA menopause service. Firstly they gave me estrogen and progesterone.

i knew my testosterone was still low and a blood test confirmed. They gave me testosterone but it was a cream and not available on the nhs. But it did help immensely. I asked them to instead proscribe tostran that’s available on nhs and to write to my GP, and say it’s for lack of libido, and to do annual blood tests.

That was 2 years ago. It’s all good my GP does the repeats and blood tests. I only paid for one year of the BUPA menopause service.

the doctor said to put on inner thighs but I got hair growth there so now alternative between inner forearms, and shoulders no more issues with hair growth.

it’s helped with libido, mojo and strength (i weightlift).

Lurking. My gynae (I just had endo surgery) has put in my letter to the GP that I need a testosterone blood test but I’ve been putting off asking in case they say no

After using oestrogen and progesterone for a time my GP also prescribed testosterone. It was great to revive my libido. Since then I have had a total hysterectomy due to suspected early stage cancer and have been advised to use minimal/no HRT. Since then the testosterone really isn’t doing much and I think it may be work better alongside oestrogen. Oh and it doesn’t cause hair growth for me.

I was already on HRT (Mirena + Oestrogel), but thought testosterone would help with libido, and bone strength /muscle strength. My NHS GP was happy to prescribe, subject to blood tests. In practice, my T levels went too high and it was really hard to find the right dose level - it was Testogel, so dividing up one sachet into approx 8 doses was a faff.

I did get a little libido back, but what I got more of was acne. I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle and gave up after a few months.

Ditto, please may I get your doctors details as well @Snippit

You can get testosterone via Newson Clinic without your other HRT if you wish.

Sorry if this is a really silly question, but is it possible to take testosterone without 'balancing' it with HRT post menopause? Or would it be massively androgenizing or whatever. I was on combined HRT for a few years, it helped take the edge off hot flushes but I can't say it made a massive difference to mood, motivation etc - wasn't a wonder drug for me.

This clinic was on a Panorama documentary, I wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. The owner has been struck off the British Menopause Society register. They have been prescribing estrogen at dangerously high levels, some women have needed hysterectomies due to this as it can cause womb cancer!

Newson clinic still has a good rep

the number of women dying of broken hips or heart failure as a result of low hormones, which could have been addressed with better HRT, is also criminal.

OP
i recommend Dr Rachel Jones of the Hormone Clinic. She is a psychiatrist and prescribes HRT for adhders.
incl testosterone