Testosterone in Spain

[wordywitch]

A friend who lives in Spain wanted to try testosterone for sexual problems and vaginal atrophy related to menopause and was told it’s not possible on the public health system. She went private and was told by the gynaecologist that testosterone is only licensed for use in trans men (who get a free, unlimited prescription for high strength doses) and not menopausal women. The doctor agreed to prescribe a very small dose off licence and when my friend went to fill the prescription the pharmacist assumed she was a trans man and was very confused why she wanted it.

The doctor was angry when she was telling my friend about it, said it was ridiculous that she was unable to prescribe easily to ‘cis’ women for a very real hormonal problem but she could hand out a free lifetime supply of it to women wanting to live as men while menopausal women have to pay privately. I’m not anti-trans but this really gave me the rage. 😡

It seems odd to try testosterone for vaginal atrophy. I thought it was more likely to cause rather than prevent or cure it. But I might be wrong.

Recognsing the madness and inequity of trans ideology is just common sense, not hateful.

"Testosterone use can contribute to vaginal atrophy, a condition where the vaginal tissues become thinner, drier, and more fragile. This is because testosterone levels can decrease the resilience and lubrication of the vaginal tissues, making them more susceptible to damage"

I don’t know if she was seeking it for that issue, she just mentioned that was one of the problems she was having post-menopause. I think the testosterone is primarily for libido in her case.

I’m someone who fully intends to keep taking HRT indefinitely. However even I have reservations about using testosterone in menopausal women for libido. Sexual desire is a complex interplay of physical and psychological processes, very often involving having the right person around to be attracted to, and testosterone is a very powerful drug with the potential to cause more harm than good.

"The doctor was angry when she was telling my friend about it, said it was ridiculous that she was unable to prescribe easily to ‘cis’ women for a very real hormonal problem but she could hand out a free lifetime supply of it to women wanting to live as men while menopausal women have to pay privately. "

One huge difference is that transmen want all the masculinising side-effects of taking testosterone, while presumably women don't.

Was your friend made aware of all the potential consequences of taking testosterone? Was she prescribed by a GP or by an endocrinologist? Is she going to be followed up, with blood tests and everything? Testosterone is one hell of a drug...

If your friend is suffering from vaginal atrophy she should be using estrogen vaginal suppositories or cream/gel not testosterone as that will make it worse