Testogel

Testogel is a medicine that contains testosterone, a male hormone naturally made by your body. Although it's a male hormone, women also produce it, though levels can drop as they age. Testosterone is important for developing female sexual anatomy, physiology, and managing sexual drive.

Testogel is officially approved to treat low testosterone symptoms in men (male hypogonadism). However, it can also be prescribed 'off-label' for postmenopausal women experiencing low libido, as an additional treatment alongside their main HRT. 'Off-label' means a doctor prescribes a medicine for a use not covered by its official licence, when they believe it's safe and appropriate.

Testogel is a transdermal gel, which means you simply apply it to your skin, and it will be absorbed into your bloodstream. For women going through menopause, the dosage will be lower than the amount used by men.

Generally, as you get older, your body makes fewer hormones. For women experiencing menopause, this drop in hormones can cause symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, tiredness, and reduced bone strength (osteoporosis). Low testosterone levels can also lead to a reduced sex drive. Testogel helps by replacing testosterone, which can improve libido.

Some women have mentioned that it has helped them with tiredness, brain fog, and joint pain. However, more research is needed to confirm any additional benefits of using testosterone as part of menopause treatment.

Testogel is available in two doses: 16.2mg/g and 40.5mg. (There used to be a 50mg/g dose, but it's no longer available.) The 16.2mg/g version comes in a pump bottle, with each gram containing 16.2mg of testosterone. One pump delivers 1.25g of gel, which includes 20.25mg of testosterone. The 40.5mg dose is packaged in a 2.5g sachet.

In summary: likely quite effective, but further research is needed to confirm.

In a study examining the effects of testosterone implants (which contain the same active ingredient as Testogel but in a different form) on women before and after menopause, participants from both groups noted an improvement in their Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scores for libido.

In another study examining a transdermal testosterone spray for premenopausal women, those who used the medium dose experienced more satisfying sexual events than those in the placebo group. The low and high doses didn't show much difference. The study concluded that testosterone therapy can generally enhance sexual satisfaction. However, the study was limited by its short duration, and there was a noticeable strong placebo effect.

When considering testosterone as an additional treatment for menopause, there are a few options available. Testim Gel has 1% testosterone, with a starting dose of 0.5ml (or 5mg) daily. Tostran contains 2% testosterone, and it's suggested to use roughly one pump (10mg) of gel every other day. Another option is AndroFeme cream, which also contains 1% testosterone and is prescribed at the same dose as Testim Gel.

All these treatments function similarly by replacing your androgen hormone levels. However, since they are produced by different manufacturers and come in varying doses, their prices and packaging might differ.

In the UK, testosterone implants aren't officially licensed, but they can be prescribed privately. It's important to have regular monitoring to keep an eye on your hormone levels and any side effects.

If you're experiencing menopause symptoms, you might want to consider either combined HRT or oestrogen-only HRT (the oestrogen-only option is suitable if you've had a hysterectomy). However, if your libido remains low after trying these, a testosterone supplement such as Testogel might be suggested.

Using testosterone treatment on its own can disrupt your hormone balance, leading to side effects such as acne or increased hair growth.

Yes, you'll need a prescription for Testogel. It's prescribed for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as an "off-label" use. Before prescribing it, a clinician will review your health background and history to make sure it's safe for you and to decide on the right dose.