Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[MrsMitch]

Hello lovely ladies   
I've finally got an NHS appointment with a menopause consultant at the hospital next Tuesday,  I've waited about 18 months. I was talking to a lovely lady today who was telling me she's just seen a private specialist and has been prescribed testosterone cream - Androfem, which she was explaining isn't yet available on the NHS.  She's only been on it a week and is already seeing  positive results.
So I wonder if you would mind helping me be prepared for next week please? I need to ask for testosterone,  ask for my HRT in general to be looked at as once again its not as effective and I'm still spotting so progesterone needs looking at too. I'm now on estradiol x7 week now so VA improving but symptoms not gone.
But should I/can I ask for a blood test to look at everything they need to check or don't the NHS do this? Are there any important things you did or wished you'd done when you had your appointments? Is there anything I should be asking for/about? Finally what are your experiences with the NHS and testosterone and what type did you get prescribed?
I know I'm asking a lot, but I also know you're all so helpful and your experiences and advice in the past have been invaluable.

[Dotty]

Hi write all your symptoms down and write everything down that you want to ask. Then cross each question out as you ask them. That’s what I used to do when I had so many problems. x

[Banjo1973]

Hi Mrs Mitch,

I got prescribed testosterone on the NHS a year ago. I agree it's fantastic stuff.

My understanding is that the NHS won't prescribe testosterone unless you are suffering from low libido. Which is of course ridiculous. But these are the hoops we have to jump through. Initially, the specialist told me to increase my oestrogen, which I did. Funnily enough I did feel better, but no effect on my libido. To be honest I was never that arsed about my libido but pretended that I was upset that I didn't have a "full" marriage any more.

So reluctantly she prescribed tostran. And it's great for me. Very limited libido still, but loads of other benefits.

So long story short, to get hold of testosterone I had to claim I had zero libido and was desperate to get it back.

Good luck

[sheila99]

Agree with the above. I wanted testosterone for muscle weakness but they only prescribe it for low libido (mine was absent).

[CLKD]

As part of HRT one has to see a dedicated menopause clinic who can suggest that your GP prescribes.

Many people shouldn't require testosterone , better to sort progesterone and oestrogen first. 

[Tulip256]

I had my T prescribed by superdrug but they expect a blood test before you start, before 3 months and then at a year to check your levels don't go too high. They ask for total testosterone levels but free testosterone is more important as it takes into account your shbg level to see what amount is available to your body.

[merrygoround]

I had my T prescribed by superdrug

Seriously? How???!!!

[merrygoround]

Rude of me not to answer the question first.

Mrs Mitch I asked my GP for testosterone after I was discharged from the menopause clinic before having a first appointment. My GP said "No way" and referred me for another year on the waiting list for the menopause clinic.

The plan is to get an appointment with a menopause specialist while I'm still in my fifties, I can give the NHS a bit more time, but it feels like big chunks of my life I'm giving them, by agreeing to wait.

[MrsMitch]

Thank you for the replies ladies.
Libido? What's that?! That left home years ago 
The lady I spoke to explained testosterone is only prescribed for that so at least I'm forearmed with that one.
Anyone had a blood test with an NHS specialist or will I gave to get a private one?

[Kathleen]

Hello MrsMitch

For a few years I was a patient of Newson Health but now I see a Nurse Practitioner at my GP surgery. At my first appointment I had a blood test that included Oestradiol and Testosterone.

I don't use testosterone now but did when I was with Newson Health. They prescribed Androfeme which is an Australian product designed specifically for women and is not available on the NHS.
Incidentally my testosterone levels are in the normal range even though I haven't used Androfeme for about three years, my current HRT regime is Sandrena gel and Utrogestan and I am very post meno.

I hope this is helpful and take care.

K.
 

[Banjo1973]

Hi,

My nhs meno specialist said I needed blood tests. I just asked my gp surgery to do this. (Incidentally I requested some blood tests a few weeks ago off my own back, and they did them).

GP said my testosterone results were fine. But the meno specialist said they were low and immediately prescribed it.

Thank you for the replies ladies.
Libido? What's that?! That left home years ago 
The lady I spoke to explained testosterone is only prescribed for that so at least I'm forearmed with that one.
Anyone had a blood test with an NHS specialist or will I gave to get a private one?

[CLKD]

    Ladies.  Interesting: seems that it depends on a lot of issues!  Pretty similar Banjo1973 with Thyroid Function tests, when GPs believe that within normal limits is OK but other tests are required should patients continue with symptoms!

[Cocobra]

Hello ladies,

my experience so far: I was put on Tostran by a post-Covid appointment with the hospital gynaecologist - they went first for a blood test to assess whether I needed it or not (this was in May 2023). But I wanted it due to low libido (or non-existent, I should say!). Been like this since moving on perimenopause at age 42 (so young!). The results have startled me: although it is up and down, when it is up I have orgasm as I've never had even in my youth. That may speak more of my ignorance of my body in my youth and my control-freakiness. But still, I've been pleasantly surprised!

It did help I had a young menopause specialist at the hospital who gave me all sorts of tips (vibrators, lubricants yes, yes, yes!). She was just wonderful. What a fresh of breath air from my upbringing (in Italy) and my mum's.

Best to all.

[MrsMitch]

Awww ladies, thank you. All the info has been really helpful.
Does anyone know how Androfem works compared to what the NHS offer? I believe from what I was told yesterday Androfem is easier to use as it comes with a little syringe to dispense, but is it far superior in terms of effectiveness?

[Banjo1973]

Hopefully this works re. Androfemme

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,62087.0.html