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[MoaningMyrtle]

Hi everyone,  I've been prescribed Testogel for lack of libido and have been advised to use one sachet twice per week.  I did research this on Internet as the leaflet stated for use by men only.  I then queried dose with doctor who confirmed one sachet twice a week.  I'm still worried thats too much so am using one sachet over 10 days.  I'm also using Evorel Conti and Estradiol 10mg twice weekly.  How much have other users of testogel  been prescribed?

[Joaniepat]

It depends which Testogel sachets you have, as Besins have recently changed the formulation.
Old formulation: 50 mg in 5 mls. Normal dose is 0.5 ml per day, ie, one sachet over 10 days
New formulation: 40 mg in 2.5 ml. So for normal female range you need 0.3125 mls per day  , so one sachet over 8 days.
The above information is from Dr Zoe Hodson's Instagram page, @manchestermenopausehive
JP x

[MoaningMyrtle]

Thanks Joaniepat for your reply.  The ones I have are the 50mg in 5g sachets.  So, I should only be using 1 sachet every 10 days as I thought, not 2 sachets a week.  Thank goodness I double checked otherwise I'd have a beard by July  xx

[Joaniepat]

👍You're welcome!
JP x

[Hurdity]

Hi Moaning Myrtle - also to add to joaniepat's advice - you really should also tell your doc that the advice being given is wrong so that they don't advise someone else incorrectly and they end up taking too much.

There really is no excuse for this, especially if the doc is happy to prescribe testogel off-licence - it is their duty to ensure they know sufficient about it to know how to prescribe.

The BMS has produced an excellent page on this "Tools for Clinicians" which details the doses for women:

https://thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians/testosterone-replacement-in-menopause/

"This list is an example of some of the more commonly used products in clinical practice:

    Testim gel [Endo Ventures Ltd] 1% testosterone gel in 5ml tubes: Starting dose 0.5ml (5mg) per day making each tube last for 10 days.
    Tostran [Kyowa Kirin Ltd] (2% testosterone gel in a canister containing 60g ) : Starting dose 1 metered pump of 0.5g = 10mg on alternate days – each canister should last 240 days.
    Testogel [Besins Healthcare UK] (2.5g sachets containing 40.5mg testosterone): Starting dose 1/8 of a sachet/day = approx. 5mg/day i.e. each sachet should last 8 days. (new formulation)
    AndroFeme cream [Lawley Pharma] (1% testosterone cream in 50ml tubes with screw cap): Starting dose 0.5ml/day = 5mg /day i.e. each tube should last 100 days.
    Testosterone Implants [Smartway Pharma] (100mg implanted pellets) – imported from USA"

In practice my sachet of 1% tesosterone lasts about a fortnight. I would start with a pea-sized blob (not marrow fat pea!). For 3 months or so and see how you get on. The effects can take 4-5 months to become apparent in all parts of the body.

Hurdity x

[MoaningMyrtle]

Hi Hurdity

I did double check with the doctor because i was concerned and have been advised the she has prescribed as per information she received from the gynaecologist.  This is her response "I have prescribed exactly as directed by the specialist. If you feel more comfortable with a lower dose you could start with one sachet every 10days (or divide the sachet up over the 10days and use a small amount each day).

Thats why I thought I'd reach out to the forum for piece of mind. 

Whats also concerning is the pharmacy not questioning the dosage.

[Ann Lockett]

Hi can I ask how u got ur dr to prescribe it as I asked for it today n she said they can’t prescribe it 

[Diggers]

I have also just had my testosterone levels checked after asking my reluctant GP who said that most womens Testosterone levels are high enough during Menapause.
These are my results that say they are normal and no Testosterone treatment is needed.

Serum sex hormone binding globulin level 92.8 mol/L [26.0 - 110.0]
Free androgen index 1.1 [0.5 - 6.5]
Serum testosterone level 1.0 mol/L [0.3 - 2.61

Although they are still in the range I feel they are still low. Does anyone know if I would be prescribed Testosterone with these levels and is anyone taking Testosterone with higher levels than mine.

I have low libido, don’t sleep and lack energy, although I only mentioned the low libido to my GP as I’ve read that NHS won’t consider Testosterone for other symptoms. I am on Estradot 62.5 mg and Utrogestan daily, Vagifem 2 a week and 3 years post menopause.

Any advice please as I want to be armed with information before going back to my GP.

[MoaningMyrtle]

I mention I'd seen Davina McCall's recent documentary on the menopause and asked if I could try testosterone for my very low libido and mood.  The Doctor said she didn't know enough about it but that she would speak with someone.   A few weeks later she'd got information from a gynecologist who said yes 👍

I didn't get my bloods checked first but I do have to get them checked after 3 months.