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[Katherine]

Hi again ladies,

I’m considering taking testosterone for low energy, low mood and low sex drive. Has anyone tried testosterone and found it beneficial and have you had any side effects?

 I’ve heard it can make your voice deeper and while that itself doesn’t bother me it might if my throat felt really different. Also I’ve heard you get hairiness where you apply it and again I don’t mind as I would shave it off but worried I would get itchy skin from the thick hair.

 I am a sensitive person so I have to think carefully before I take anything especially if the side effects are irreversible. I would appreciate any advice or information.

[Katherine]

Hi Mollydolly,

Thanks for replying. Can I ask which one you use? I’ve been prescribed testogel but I keep changing my mind about it.

[KaraShannon]

I definitely want to try it.  I've got a blood test in 3 weeks.   

Let us know how you get on with it.   If I could source it somewhere else I'd try it sooner.

[Katherine]

Hi Kara Shannon

I was prescribed it based on my symptoms but I haven’t had a blood test. I’m still not sure if I’m going to try it but realistically I probably will at some point.

[CLKD]

A blood test will give an idea as to how 'low' testosterone might be.

[sheila99]

I put it on the sole of my foot to prevent the hairiness problem on the soft skin under the arch. The only negative for me was a hairy patch when applied to my thigh. If you're worried about you start on a low dose and see how you go. I think if your oestrogen levels are low if it converted to an androgen derivative so that may put a spanner in the works.

[Katherine]

Thanks ladies, did anyone get a deeper voice and if so does your throat feel different because of it?

The only reason I'm concerned is I've been told that the voice thing is irreversible even if you stop taking it.

[Katherine]

All sounds good mollydolly. I think I will end up trying it, when the time feels right. I will report back! X

[Katherine]

I put it on the sole of my foot to prevent the hairiness problem on the soft skin under the arch. The only negative for me was a hairy patch when applied to my thigh. If you're worried about you start on a low dose and see how you go. I think if your oestrogen levels are low if it converted to an androgen derivative so that may put a spanner in the works.

Hi Sheila99,

I’m not sure what you mean about the androgen derivative thing?

 I’m 47, in peri, have regular periods but heavier than before and 2 pumps of oestrogel a day. I had many symptoms of low or significantly lower orstrogen before I went on HRT.

[Katherine]

Mollydolly, can I ask your age? X

[Hurdity]

The current formulation of testogel is stronger than it used to be so I would recommend Testim because with these products for men,  the blob size is so small, in my view there is too much room for variation on dosing in products like Tostran or Testogel, though obviously one can use them less frequently.

Has your doc suggested testosterone?

Provided you use only (small) pea sized blob to start with then you shouldn't get any side effects. Have a look at the thread I started in Private Lives ( Testosterone here we go) which should give some personal experiences (think it digresses a bit at one point). It is best to have blood tests at various intervals after taking it for a while to ensure your blood levels remain within range for women. Also to test SHBG which is a proxy for free testosterone (though I think I read somewhere recently that this is now longer thought to be accurate I'm a bit out of date I think). British Menopause Society has the current (off licence) prescribing info - Tools for Clinicians. https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/08-BMS-TfC-Testosterone-replacement-in-menopause-DEC2022-A.pdf

I followed Sheila's excellent advice and apply it to the inner arch of the soles of my feet (alternately) because of hair growth on inner thigh and inner knee at previous application sites.

Hurdity x

[Katherine]

Hi Hurdity,

Thank you so much for all the info. I am actually part way through your thread about trying it! How is Testim measured and is it available on the nhs? It was me who asked my gp to prescribe it and she agreed based on my symptoms. She didn’t mention blood tests but I will ask her. Can you apply it anywhere on your body? I think I would prefer to apply it to less sensitive skin, like my lower leg or lower arm if it gets hairy then just shave it. Is the type of hair that grows thicker than your normal leg or arm hair? I have really thin blonde hair on my arms and legs so would hope it would be the same. X