Testosterone and Menopause

Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but it is also present in women.  It can have a profound impact on a woman’s well-being and plays a crucial role in women’s health.  The main function we think of with testosterone is libido, however, it also plays a role in bone health, mood and cognitive function, muscle mass and strength, and energy and fatigue.  So why, if testosterone plays this kind of role in our lives, is it not readily available for women to get?  As the NHS website says ‘is it not currently licenced for use in women, although it can be prescribed after the menopause by a specialist doctor if they think it might help restore your sex drive’ (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/treatment/).  Why should we have to resort to saying our libido is low to get something that will help with our mental health, energy levels, and bone health?  I understand that women need to be stable on their HRT regime before adding anything else into the mix (as often the symptoms are very similar), but we know our own bodies and we know when something is still not right.  I am lucky enough to be prescribed testosterone.  My menopause symptoms kept breaking through the HRT and we kept upping the dose (on advice from my GP) but this would only work for a short time.  My GP took some blood and quickly realised I was overdosing on estrogen, but my testosterone levels were well below normal.  I was asked the question ‘how is your libido?’, to which I answered honestly – non-existent.  I was prescribed testosterone with the warning that this is not licensed in women, but we would trial it and see if it helped.  6 months later, at a review, my GP asked if I thought the testosterone was working.  I was uncertain so we decided to stop to see.  Well within a week of stopping my symptoms had returned with a vengeance; I couldn’t concentrate, I had lost all motivation, and had no energy.  I quickly returned to putting that pea-sized piece of magic back into my morning routine and all became well in the world again 😊

I’ve heard so many stories of women being told by their GP’s that testosterone is not an option, that they are not able to prescribe it, and women having to fight for years for something that will make them feel like themselves again.  We need more specialist NHS menopause clinics so the correct Doctors can prescribe this.  Women should be able to get this on the NHS, not wait years for an appointment and not have to pay privately.  Australia has licensed a testosterone product specifically for women so why has this not happened in the UK yet?  This is something I feel passionate about and will be researching more about this subject so I can be involved in trying to make this change. 

Please remember all women are different and not all of you will need to have testosterone replaced while going through menopause.  However, if you are struggling, please go and speak to your GP and explain your symptoms.  This post is written from my experience and is my opinion only.