Women on testosterone - would you?

[RoamingToaster]

For clarity, I don't mean women who want to be men.

I read a piece by Helen Lewis referencing an article about women who take testosterone to help with their energy and sex drive. I find the effects hormones can have on a person interesting. Would anyone try it? I think I'd be curious to see the effects but unsurprisingly it's not studied that well so women are taking it often off prescription. They're not taking as much as women who claim to be men but obviously the risks of facial hair etc is still there but they just seem to deal with it.

Testosterone Is Giving Women Back Their Sex Drive — With Side Effects - The New York Times

Testosterone often plummets at menopause and as pp have said, it's a normal part of HRT these days. NICE guidelines say it should be 'considered' (off licence) for menopausal women who have lost their libido.

I did think about it but actually I quite like not being bothered about sex any more. It's peaceful and I can get right into my hobbies.

I hadn't heard about women taking it just as a sort of pep pill but it was only a matter of time I suppose. I don't think that's a good idea - it's a powerful drug with risks and side effects as well as benefits.

Testosterone is part of my HRT regime. Prescribed by my NHS GP. One small sachet lasts 8 days. I use a pea size amount of gel daily. No side effects/excess hair/beard etc.

I feel mentally sharper for taking it, and I have more energy. Libido, not much change but I'm not particularly bothered about that anyway. I've also noticed a marked decline in the amount of migraines, which is a huge positive.

What's some trans identified women have described as the effects of testosterone sound fascinating and quite appealing - feelings of invincibility and increased confidence and energy levels.
I would assume that taken as hrt it probably makes us feel closer to what our baseline used to be.

Sarah Mittermaier (aka Eliza Mondegreen) has a recent interesting (free) substack piece on this following the NYT piece https://substack.com/home/post/p-176941121

Our local ICB/gynae clinics do not recommend it, and it is only licensed for libido. I have counselled, prescribed (and monitored) T for some women as part of HRT. Results seem very variable, and long term studies are lacking.

I agree with WarriorN above - working on muscle mass, CV exercise and healthy lifestyles are often (though not always) more effective. And libido loss matters to some women and not others. Like absolutely all medication, its risk-benefit, and that is completely individual.

Some of the comments below Eliza’s article - many from detransitioned women - are pretty blunt about the not-spoken about, or well-researched, negative effects of T on women, whether low or high dose. The lack of predictability of results (that is, it really, really depends on the woman) is one I’ve heard of before while reading detrans stories.

I take as part of HRT. I use Androfemme which is formulated for women and zero side effects at all. It's been transformational for me.
You do realise that per litre of blood women actually have more testosterone than oestrogen .. I didnt realise this. We need to stop thinking about testosterone as just a man's hormone.

Also take as part of HRT.

Id be surprised if many non menopausal women can get their hands on it through a regular GP. It was hard enough to persuade my GP to
let me try it.

With some of the trans lot I get the impression it may contribute to increased anger and violent tendencies. I'd be worried about that affecting other women too. (Though this doesn't seem to be a major problem with very small, controlled doses.)

when I went too high I had zero fucks about anything. I found it a bit scary actually

when I’ve been well and thyroid balanced etc, without hrt but lifting weights, I’ve found I’ve gained a lot of the confidence I got on testosterone when I was on a lower amount. It’s not consistent though probably thanks to tamoxifen.

I've been taking 2mg concentration, one pump every second day, for 18 months. I asked for it for libido as I'd gradually lost the ability to orgasm which was hugely frustrating and badly affected my long term relationship. We've since broken up. There were other issues but our poor sex life was a huge part of it.

Zero impact beyond unwanted hair growth on the various application sites even though I rotate them (be warned). I've been putting off going back to my GP to ask if increasing the dose could make any difference. She's quite supportive but I'm worried that if reveal I'm now no longer in a relationship, I might somehow be ineligible. But I just don't think I could date again while I have this issue. However I find the whole conversation excruciating...

Maybe I'm just one of the third it has no impact on and I should just give up taking it. I find the range of info out there very confusing and I don't particularly like taking something with so little research into the long term side-effects. I'm glad to hear it's working for some others though.

@Keenovay Unless your GP is one of those rare ones who has a real specialism in gynae issues you might be better off asking for a referral (back?) to the menopause clinic. If that means too long a waitor is otherwise impractical, you could ask your GP to check your SHBG level so your free androgen level can be worked out - that'll give you a better idea of whether you're in the non-responder group or if increased dosage might help.

How do they manage to get it prescribed outside of part of HRT or transitioning?

There’s a GP in insta who specialises in women’s health, she said there was some evidence that testosterone in peri and menopausal women had a range of benefits, however it can only be prescribed on the NHS for reduced libido.

No thanks, I've got PCOS and hate everything about it. I'd prefer lower testosterone lol

Hell no. I've got enough problems with hormones.

I think they say they are trans which now seems to include all kinds of things other than just wanting to be a man or woman.

Oh...... So does that mean they would use more than the tiny amount used for HRT I wonder, I would be concerned for longterm effects if so

It's absolutely bloody marvellous stuff. My T was through the floor and my GP prescribed it no issues after 6 months on HRT.

So incredibly brilliant for libido. Bugger all impact on energy levels and brain fog.

If you saw me hobbling around the house by 7pm, my feet ache, my knees hurt, my back aches you'd see it doesn't me positively anywhere except libido. And that's WITH high oestrogen, testosterone, a ton of strength training and endless protein.

I also have it as part of my HRT (private, my GP won’t prescribe but it ‘s not that costly as a medicine, it’s the consultation and the monitoring blood tests that cost.
i think it’s what reduced my anxiety and gave me more energy to exercise, tho’ I am still menopausally prone to injuries etc..
Downside is I now have weekly electrolysis appointments. The therapist tells me nearly every woman she sees is coming because of HRT.

What is an electrolysis appointment?

I’m taking it. It’s a tiny dose. Part of HRT.

it’s amazing stuff. Improves motivation, strength (I lift but not competitively, it could be considered doping but can’t see how would get caught) and sex drive. No side effects - other than some hair growth when I applied to thigh as per doctor instructions. I now apply to either shoulders or inner forearms.

I think it varies. The goal for some seems to be low-level masculinization, but fir others they are looking for things like better energy.

I think worries about side effects are not even a thing for many. And not just with this, in many areas of medicine now.

Electrolysis is hair removal by electrocution of the follicle. Smarts a little

I’m on testosterone as part of my HRT. My brain is fired up which has been career saving honestly and as a lone parent it’s been a massive relief after all the brain fog and anxiety. I work in a male dominated industry so despite all the awareness and “being seen” training from our Californian overlords the reality is as a post menopausal woman you have to be totally “on it” to survive. Sex drive…meh don’t need it.

Interesting info thanks