Testosterone as part of HRT

[CoCoJones26]

Am on NHS wait list for menopause clinic with wait time of 9/12 months so am looking into private treatment. Looks like it could be possible to transfer care back to NHS once testosterone levels stabilised so I'm looking at costs for private treatment.
Has anyone done this? Superdrug online also offer testosterone (once you have your blood test results), anyone used that service? Thanks!

Hi, yes I saw a private menopause specialist. My GP was happy to continue the testosterone, she just wasn’t able to prescribe it initially. It works really well for me

Ooh that sounds positive, thanks!

I also saw a private Dr at My Menopause Centre. I strongly suspect GP will take over the prescription because mine are good.

They wanted my oestrogen optimised though - in my case I was on an oral combined HRT and was advised to switch to gel and prog. This is because if you aren't on patch/gel then what happens is that your body converts any extra testosterone you are given to oestrogen , so negating the benefit of the testosterone.

You can't AFAIK take testosterone if you aren't already settled on HRT ( at least 3 months I think)

Just to add, I think it can be inaccurate getting a finger prick testosterone blood test - like they do at Superdrug if you use oestrogen gel. What you want is a venous sample. My GP was happy to do this for me, luckily.

I got it without a blood test. Had to get my GP to refer me to a gynaecologist which took about 4 months. Went to my appt (on a Sunday). Spent all of 3 minutes with gynae. He gave me a prescription, then had to write to my GP to say he could prescribe it going forward.

What a monumental waste of NHS resources.

I use Androfeme which I'm prescribed privately. I chose this option because from what I've heard it's easier to get the dose right as it's specifically for women.
It's been great so far (2 months). More energy and general vim for life, brain fog disappeared by the end of the first week.

To get testosterone you have to say you have a low libido. It's the only justification for prescribing it in the UK apparently. My libido wasn't low before I started it but it has increased my libido more and longer and more intense orgasms are easy to come by which is great 😁