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Author Topic: Androfeme cream Expense...  (Read 16371 times)

jojo999

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Androfeme cream Expense...
« on: August 01, 2018, 10:23:21 AM »

Hi
My consultant has just suggested I try Androfeme testosterone cream. Private prescription and will cost me £90+ for one tube (which will last 3 months).
Can I ask - is anyone else using this? Can we get it via a GP on NHS prescription?
Another hoop to jump through...very expensive but I need to try something or my HRT days are over...

If not, is Testim Gel comparable in quality and effects?

Thanks :( :(
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Hurdity

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2018, 08:08:31 PM »

Hi jojo999

Your post seems to have got missed.

Androfeme is not licensed in this country for women - and I think is manufactured in Aus, hnece it has to be imported and is expensive.

Testim Gel is formulated for men but used correctly is applied at doses to give physiologically appropriate levels for women. I use this - it comes in 5 g tubes each containing 50 mg of T so a tube should be made to last appox 10 days ( more or less depending on age, stage and circumstances). Unfortunately I think this has now been discontinued but Testogel also comes in small sachets at the same concentration - maybe unavailable temporarily? The good thing about products for men is that a box of the stuff is priced according to how much men use so is really cheap for women even if bought privately. eg I had a boxful of Testogel for approx £30 (+ cost of prescription) and it lasted me 18 months!!! I got the Testim on NHS from my GP. There is a pump pack of Testogel but it is more concentrated and the amount dispensed is larger than needed so more awkward for women. Tostran dispenses a smaller amount but is double the conc of Testim and the recommended amount to start is twice weekly.

Hope this helps :)

Hurdity x

Hurdity x
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jojo999

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2018, 03:21:36 PM »

Thanks for your reply.
Could I ask you a question re. longcycle HRT.
I am post meno, and am taking oestrogel 2 pumps and uterogestan 100mg daily.

I feel very low on this, just a constant background of flat low mood, no enjoyment. I did have PMDD and had ovaries only removed (I know that was a terrible thing - long story).
My consultant is not keen on changing my uterogestan from daily and you say you are on long cycle?
How do you feel taking 200mg for the 12 days (every 6 weeks you say i think?). My con says that would make me feel much worse as double the dose which seems reasonable?
STuck as considering a hysterectomy if i cant find something that is better than how i am at the moment.
thanks
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Hurdity

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2018, 07:52:29 PM »

It depends on how prog intolerant you are. I take it vaginally for 12 days - yes - every 6-8 weeks and I feel great the rest of the time. Vaginally is preferred if you get side effects orally ( have never tried oral Utro myself). I plump up my vag tissues with nightly Vagifem a week before the cycle starts and hope it minimises systemic uptake ( my own theory!!). It makes me feel very tired in the mornings and sometimes foggy headed but seems to vary each cycle. Sometimes I don't feel too bad - sometimes I get a migraine, but not always. Yes there is a withdrawal phase as the prog leaves the system and reverses the physiological changes that take place on higher doses - but I do find it manageable and usually manage to do whatever it is I need to do - although I am retired now. However have been on long cycle HRT since 2011 and only retired last year so have always coped. You can't say how you will react until you try it - but with only 6-8 weeks it's long enough to get a good quality fo life on oestrogen only. This is off licence but my (NHS) GP is happy for me to take it like this although gives me norethisterone to take supposedly one cycle per year to ensure proper clearance of womb lining. In practice I've only taken it twice (ie two cycles) in the last 5 years but will take some next cycle. Hope this helps and you sort something out that works for you :)

Hurdity x
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Saralpt31

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2018, 07:57:39 AM »

Hi, I've just been prescribed androfeme also on private prescription,I've not collected it yet.
I know that testim used to be prescribed for women but the tube changed meaning it is not suitable for women as it dispenses in a too higher dose for women.
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Noheroicsplease

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2018, 08:45:41 AM »

My sister is a pharmacist - I was prescribed Androfeme by a consultant (who didn't really get it wasn't licensed here) and my sister she couldn't get it. That she would have had a hard time justifying it, as well. She was asked lots of questions (presumably by the body who monitor the pharmacy) about why an unlicensed product was dispensed. i went to three other pharmacies. Same deal.

I ended up with Tostran. I've had no side effects. It's been about 6 weeks. Apart from sleeplessness, which is another issue, and one I've posted about separately, I would say my well-being is better. My libido is also slowing returning.
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Robin

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2018, 08:51:22 AM »

My local pharmacy managed to get it for me with my private prescription. They had to register with either the company or whoever distributes it but very kindly did whatever was necessary.
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Noheroicsplease

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2018, 08:52:03 AM »

Wow, that's amazing Robin. I had no luck. Well done!
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Noheroicsplease

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2018, 08:52:31 AM »

Do you feel better on it, Robin?
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Robin

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2018, 09:03:02 AM »

Yes I do both physically and mentally. It's definitely worth trying. I think you can also get it online if you have a private prescription from the independent pharmacy
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Robin

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2018, 09:05:37 AM »

It's expensive but lasts ages
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Joaniepat

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2018, 09:50:40 AM »

That's great Robin! Sounds as though your recent appointment at the meno clinic went well?
JP x
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Robin

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2018, 11:27:10 AM »

It did thanks Joaniepat I'm so glad I managed it x
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SueLW

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Re: Androfeme cream Expense...
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2018, 02:55:15 PM »

I am using Androfem.  It is the ONLY testosterone product licensed for women in the western world!  Made in Australia, and imported to the UK.  To say it's not licensed here makes it sound a bit dodgy, but it's not.  After all the UK won't license Utrogestan for vaginal use yet it's common on the Continent.

It's a very gentle product.  I have started for 3 months on just 0.5ml a day.  It would be hard to get such a small amount from Testim.  My levels were very low and so I needed to start gently.  Perhaps, later on when I'm up to speed (can take 6 months) I might be able to get Testim on the NHS and use that, but so far I'm happy with this product.

My prescription is fulfilled by an online pharmacy.
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