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[Zoe]

I find testosterone really helps with mood, sleep and muscle strength. And libido to some extent though, for me, progesterone seems to be more useful in that regard. We are all so different!

I am a little cautious of chemists like Boots and Superdrug getting on the HRT bandwagon because the most useful thing for me has been the ongoing medical relationship with my menopause specialist. This has been especially important since I have long covid, which has been horrendous. The specialist picked up on several things the GP had missed and was able to explain which symptoms were menopause and which were neurological covid, and how the two were combining to create a perfect storm.

I am not wealthy but am prepared to prioritise the cost of seeing the specialist because she gets my situation. I am just finding that Androfeme, at around £550 a year for me, is not value for money! 

[SarahtheFlower]

Yes, agreed re the Superdrug/Boots point!  I have to say, my meno dr is good - really straightened me out!  She just wont prescribe T      I have also seen a private dr and she was just as good, but no better if I'm honest.   (Although the first meno dr I saw was absolutely useless, so it's luck of the draw!).

Wow - Androfeme is expensive!   It this a testosterone developed specifically for women (I wasn't sure if there was one)?   Until I can try T I'm not sure if it will have any benefits for me.   I'd say I can't afford Androfeme, but I suppose if it's a complete game changer then i'd find the money somehow I guess, but hopefully the NHS doc will play ball and prescribe for me!!!

I wonder how one goes about lobbying for better provision of T for meno women.....it seems too hard! 

[Zoe]

I know, very much a lottery re specialists unless you get a recommendation.

£92 per tube of Androfeme plus the cost of a private prescription (£37 in my case). It used to be slightly cheaper. It is imported from Australia and designed for women (yay!). A 50ml tube should last you 100 days on the standard dose of 0.5ml per day. My dose was increased a few months ago so a tube lasts me just over 2 months. Therefore, 6 x £92.

On the standard dose you would need a bit less than 4 tubes' worth a year, so around £350 a year. But if the same dose can be procured via 'male' testosterone for around £60 per year then that is a big saving. And an even bigger saving if prescribed by the NHS (£0 in Scotland where I am).

Re. changing views on testosterone, it would help if it were just described as 'testosterone' rather than 'male testosterone' since as far as I know there is no difference other than the quantities involved for men and women. And we make around 3 times more of the stuff than oestrogen, so very much part of the female hormone make-up.

Just like men, not all women will need it or want it but some equality of access for those women who would benefit from it would be a huge step forward. HRT is not just about immediate health but also future health, something the NHS needs to look at more closely given that we are all living longer.

[SarahtheFlower]

Hi Zoe,

thanks for the useful info on the cost of getting T privately - I wasn't aware that there was a cost associated with a private prescription - I thought you just paid the chemist.   So much to learn lol Prescriptions are (I think) £9.50 in England, but i pay for a certificate so that I can get all my prescriptions for no more than £100(ish) in a year (I'd need to check as I can't remember the precise figures), but basically if I can get a NHS T prescription it wouldn't cost me any more than what i already pay. 

Also, didn't know that we made x3 more T than E...!   

I really don't understand the issue with T - if the Aussies are happy to prescribe it and it helps women - esp as you say, long term, what's the problem....?!