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

[snoopymug]

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.

I have testosterone on a repeat NHS prescription.

First I went private, after a home hormone test said I had very low levels of testosterone. They offered me just testosterone but warned that the body can convert testosterone to estrogen and I was likely to soon, because of my age, experience a drop in estrogen which might lead to the testosterone being used to make up for that.

So I took all three hormones from the get go. Not sure which does what but it's transformed my stamina, energy, motivation, brain fog, fatigue and strength. Not my libido though but I'm happy to say that's the problem. No side effects whatsoever and I have always had issues with acne, greasy hair and excess hair (due to PCOS).

I went to my GP and because testosterone seems so controversial, they eventually referred me to the menopause clinic. Took about six months but I could carry on privately in the meantime.

Clinic agreed my regime was working for me and told my GP to prescribe it. They did but it didn't go on my repeat list like the progesterone and estrogen. When I needed more they got funny again so back to the menopause clinic I went. This took about three months but they agreed again it should be prescribed and now it's, finally, on my repeat list.

It's just all so I unacceptable.
You have to have money to go private.
The waste of time sending people back to the menopause clinic.
Having to say its libido as it's viewed from a male lens.
Not knowing how to manage me properly, I'm not getting regular blood tests.

Incidentally I think if you have PCOS you may be more likely to notice a drop in testosterone. This all started when I was about 43.

And note the BMS is not a regulatory body. It is a charity to promote health for women

dr Newson has NOT been struck off by the medical council.

Her response here
https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/a-message-from-dr-louise-newson#:~:text=As%20for%20the%20British%20Menopause,The%20BMS%20is%20a%20charity.

OP asked about testosterone, not oestrogen.
The inaccurate and dangerously sensationalist Panorama documentary has been discredited.

I have been incredibly lucky. I have tried many forms of HRT with minimal success. I asked for a blood test which showed both my testosterone and oestrogen levels were low (this was on 3 pumps of gel). The GP prescribed the spray to try and testosterone. She gave all the warnings. I do feel that I have more energy and currently no side effects.

I go to a menopause clinic due to previous health conditions and now take Androfemme ( testosterone tested for Women & Australian). I pay for it but it is worth it. It made a huge difference to my brain - I felt like me again at work. I could think clearly again. I apply to back of knee and have never had hair growth. I think this cream has now been approved by nhs but no idea how difficult it is to get hold of. I have blood tests every 6 months

This has been my experience. My GP was happy to prescribe it, but only when I said it was for lack of libido. I need to have a blood test every few months to monitor my testosterone levels and also my cholesterol.

@SatsumaDog why the cholesterol test? How is that linked to T?

Andofemme is not available on the NHS, however tostran gel is. I found andofemme annoying to measure whereas with tostran you do 1 pump from the canister 3 or 4 times a week.

According to my GP testosterone can increase your cholesterol. Mine is fine, but my total cholesterol is just under the top of the range, so I guess they thought it’s worth keeping an eye on.

It’s very straightforward to measure? I just measure my 1ml in the syringe provided.

I have testogel sachets and the directions are merely to apply 1/8 of the sachet per day.
Needless to say, it’s a pretty inexact science!

I have testogel. It's rare that I remember to use it daily so I don't get overly concerned if my blob is the wrong size!

I was told at the time Androfemme was the only one tested on women. Not sure if that is still true. It is a bit of a pain to measure

Yup it’s the only one licensed for women but tostran is basically the same ingredient albeit in a gel.

because it’s intended for men, one pump from the canister is 2 days work hence only every second day but I found it easier than the andofemme syringe. Also it’s free on the nhs which means my GP can prescribe. So I save both the prescription cost (I have a medical exemption) and no need to keep on paying to see the BUPA menopause doctor for repeats.

I tried the sachets but I found 1/8 of them too annoying hence moved to the tostran pump.

I got it via Newson clinic. My bloods showed it was rock bottom. I use the Androfeme and have had no adverse effects, hair or anything else. It has helped me massively, energy, brain function and libido. It's not cheap though. I've seen lots of clinics do it now probsbly cheaper included Superdrug. But I stuck with Newson as I found them very helpful. However my GP was doing the bloods for me to cut my costs but now I see my Androfeme is on repeat prescription on the app so I am hoping I can switch over to NHS.

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

Nope. I got it to improve my energy levels.