Thank you Louise. It makes me so angry that the reason give to not prescribe testosterone is “side-effects” as I bet many other drugs with more serious side-effects are prescribed in an attempt to manage the symptoms of low testosterone in women. I wonder how many women using Ozempic might not need it if they were on testosterone and had a bit more energy and oomph to exercise after menopause? Might that also help women avoid problems with their bones later in life? I wonder how many women on SSRIs wouldn’t need them if they were on testosterone? And statins and…. I bet there’s many other examples. Why aren’t the health issues from low testosterone considered as side-effects of not prescribing TRT?
Thank you, yes, very positive and empowering information 💛 I really admire how calm and upbeat you are Dr Newson. I get incredibly frustrated when we women spend time learning all about our hormones, from menopause experts (and pioneers) like you, and then have a medical appointment with someone who isn't interested. All this expert knowledge, and indeed common sense, is available to us now, and we're learning it. Yet doctors somehow aren't, or are choosing not to. Doctors who don't 'believe in' hormones, or must only be the minimum dose for the shortest time, it's so risky, it's over medicalised (ha!), or other biases and fears, mostly about women's bodies. Even other women who work as doctors are reluctant to learn good information, reluctant to prescribe. Perhaps they don't want to upset men who learned what's best for women when they qualified 30 or 40 years ago, and might be the Senior Partner in their Practice. Who knows? Keep going Louise, you're amazing 💛xx
I find it frustrating that the NICE guidelines discuss loads of issues with testosterone deficiency, yet they only want to prescribe it for sex drive. That's the least of my worries right now!
Thank you so much for this. Been waiting for an NHS appointment with a specialist about testosterone as in my area doctors cannot prescribe it. Been waiting nearly 2 years and appointment finally this week. I tested very low from a doctor's blood test two years ago when I was referred. But I had to push to get the referal and had to suggest the blood test myself - I only knew it was a thing from people such as yourself talking about it. Another doctor at the surgery told me there wasn't enough research into it and that it "Was something that private clinics sold to make money." I have been scared of potential side effects but your video has helped reassure me. After waiting and struggling for so long I was gettting cold feet. Thank you for putting out clear information in a world where it is really hard to get it - you can see that doctors still just don't know enough about it.
Excellent information, thank you Dr. Louise Newsome for everything you and your team is doing to bring awareness and advocacy for us women, lives are being impacted!
Thank you for your free knowledge ❤ it’s very very helpful for us women, I’m taking oestrogel and progesterone at night, but now I’ve just ordered a testosterone blood test kit to sort that part out, thank you so much
I’m on an increased dose now (and I’m 5’11 and not thin so this is probably the same as the starting dose for an average size woman) - libido still negligible and whereas I feel mentally and emotionally better there is definitely no ‘zest for life’ yet. I don’t understand how the recommended amounts can be the same for everyone as everyone is individual.
@@ArcturusAndromeda thank you. Are you in America? I haven’t found a doctor that prescribes anything besides compounded testosterone, which hasn’t worked for me so far.
I never knew that anti-depressants can cause bone loss. I was on SSRIs for over 20 years and I have osteoporosis. Not one doctor ever mentioned that my antidepressant could cause bone loss. I’m sure I would have felt better all those years if I had been on testosterone. I just started it at the age of 73. My gynecologist tested my level and it was low normal. I am also on progesterone and estradiol.
I never knew that anti-depressants can cause bone loss. I was on SSRIs for over 20 years and I have osteoporosis. Not one doctor ever mentioned that my antidepressant could cause bone loss. I’m sure I would have felt better all those years if I had been on testosterone. I just started it at the age of 73. 35:14 My gynecologist tested my level and it was low normal. I am also on progesterone and estradiol.
Thank you so much Dr Louise, yet another brilliant video. I had a NHS blood test showing my testosterone level as 0.4 nmol/L 0.00 - 1.9nmol/L. An abnormal oestrogen level of 102 pmol/L. I’m hoping Dr Rebecca will be able to guide me during our telephone consultation on Thursday, as to where I go from here. 🙏🤞
I saw you on an old podcast you did with James Smith and was inspired to finally get HRT. i had severe endometriosis leading to total hysterectomy and removal of one ovary which put me into surgical menopause about 17 years ago and I've just been carrying on, but lately had enough of feeling rough all the time. so i asked about testosterone add back as well, but my GP wouldnt prescribe it, not until we see how i get on with a low dose of oestrogen for a few months, which i guess is kind of fair enough to establish whether my issues are in fact hormonal. Thankfully, he did mention that he could refer me to a menopause clinic where a specialist could prescribe testosterone. This wasn't available to me 17 years ago. But it is now, so it's time to take advantage of it. I've only been on HRT for a week, but I'm starting to feel a lifting of the fatigue that's been dominating my life. It's already helped with a lot od other symptoms and I'm hoping this will be the answer to so many things that have plagued me for years. I have your app and the report that i can take to a clincian and get the hormones i need. Thank you so much for what you're doing, i think you really are changing lives ❤
Spot on my experience! I’ve been trying to explain this to my provider: not only libido, but the passion for life, the energy that wants me to get out and get things done. We’ve been zesty for a testosterone patch ( tried many herbs , not much effect), can u pls recommend a brand available in the US?
Thank you, amazing information and knowledge. I am early days on my Testosterone journey after 2.5 years on HRT and about 10 years of Peri symptoms and I'm still only 48! I already used one tube of Androfeme, but because I don't live in the UK, I have had to switch to some men's gel that i can get here called Androgel. I'm on day 2, day 1 brought a terrible Migraine as I'm a migraine sufferer too and still riding that roller coaster, so fingers crossed🤞🤞🤞
Hi, in the UK you have to pay to see a private menopause specialist, search google for one in your area. They will assess you & prescribe Androfeme cream usually. There are some NHS doctors in the uk that are prescribing Testosterone, off license, in the mens gel forms, but not many, my friend got Testogel and she loves it, says it works great. I don’t live in UK, so after I saw a specialist there & got Androfeme, I used that & have now had to sort out an alternative here in Thailand. The only one I can get so far is Androgel sachets 50mg/5g gel. A men’s one of course, so I’m still trying to figure out the dose….it’s not easy! But nothing with my journey seems to be. Good Luck.
Low testosterone in men seems yo go alongside increased risk of alzheimers. Given that women are more likely to get alzheimers, it makes me wonder whether low testosterone is a problem for women too. I'm on HRT but still feel I'm massively kavking a piece of the jigsaw, and wonder whether testosterone is that missing piece.
I wondered the same thing due to a sudden lack of energy throughout the day. Wondering why am I ALWAYS tired?!? Since starting testosterone, (I’m about a month in now) the difference has been amazing. It’s the only reason why I’m happy to stay on it!
I would like to know about long term use of testosterone? Can women be on it indefinitely? Do we know of any long term effects on the body, heart, etc? Any cancer concerns? I have also heard once you start on testosterone your own body stops making it? What if I want to stop testosterone? Can you just stop cold turkey? What might the implications of just stopping be? Thank you
Thank you. I recently started T therapy and on blood test where the "normal" range is between 0.43 - 1.24, mine was much higher and my doctor completely panicked and wants to take me off of it completely, cold turkey. I am titrating down and think that's more sensible and monitoring how I feel. Can you please do a video on what levels are considered way too high? Thank you.
If you don't have any negative symptoms of too much testosterone, don't lower it if it's helping. We should be lead by symptoms and functioning, NOT just numbers. Holistic, individualised care is sorely lacking.
Hi I’m currently on hormones and since taking testosterone I don’t know what is happening but my sexual drive is really high and I haven’t felt like this since my teens don’t know if this is normal but I feel for my husband 😂
Is there anywhere in London area where you recommend getting tested and if low woukd grt treatment? I had a battle with my doctor just to get vagfem. Because im jist turning 49 i seem to go 6 months without a period then get 2 in 4 weeks. I used to be regular until 3 years ago. My testosterone, a year ago, was 0.84nmol so within range but have a lot of symptoms you mention. So i doubt id be a candidate to get test cream. But id like to raise my levels as its still on the lower side of normal. Maybe this will help. Edit - just been on your website and seen you have a clinic in wimpole st london 😊
How do we know what our optimum level is on peri....if we know our pre TRT and HRT baseline level. The price of body builder trt is miniscule conpated tp female prescrbed trt. Its a scandal.
Yes, it's a scandal that women are being so discriminated against in medical care, and just in feeling well !! Nothing new, we're just expected to accept less than, without complaint . Or pay premiums for the very same things in the 'girly versions' 😢xx
If you repeatedly take more T than you need, yes, you can get unwanted side effects. If you take a break or reduce your dose, these unwanted effects will go away. (Unless you are taking male doses to transition from female to male presenting, at least ten times more than the female dose, and then there will be some changes to the vocal folds and a deeper voice that don't wear off when you stop taking these very high trans doses.) There's also a genetic component to more masculine hair and skin effects, where T is converted to di hydro testosterone (DHT). I've heard that Progesterone helps to combat that, and there are medications that block the DHT pathway. 😊xx
Our local male GP told my husband the other day that women (and men) do not need to be given testosterone and that he refuses to prescribe it. It's so infuriating that a GP has this attitude.
Hi, can we experience highs and lows of testosterone with the gel or cream. Is injection twice a week more stable? I'm looking for an alternative to my trt implant (pellet) after 2 months i feel its gone😢 and its expencive. I'm from Quebec and its so hard to find a doctor that is open minded for trt in women 😢
There is no good and bad cholesterol. Both are required by the body. The problem is damage to arterial walls, they become irritated and inflamed. Cholesterol is the bidys way if repairing the walls. Too much damage by things su h as high sugar levels in blood, cause a lot of damage. Hence why cholesterol builds up at those points. Lowering cholesterol is NOT good due to side effects and hormone disruption.
My dr want test my levels of my testrone or my oestradiol levels and my menopause symptoms have come back I was on thd 100mg patch wasn't absorbing, then I was put on oestragel I use 4 pumps a day and I'm using utragestran vaginally abd I'm getting breakthrough bleeding 😢 Now I can't even see a Dr ! I'm always seeing a ANP!, which I find she hasn't got a clue about hormones or the menopause!
Estrogen is the bleeding hormone so you should reduce to 3pumps as this is the case for many women myself included... Taking progesterone oraly would also help .. The guidelines are you need a higher dose of progesterone if on more the 50mg of estrogen which you are .. This is why you are bleeding
DHT caused hair loss is actually very common in both men and women. The body doesn’t have to be producing high levels of it either. Many people are sensitive to these androgens which causes miniaturised hair follicles and then baldness. It can happen anytime throughout an adults life but it can happen often around menopause. I’d be wary about taking T if any family members male or female have pattern hair loss? What do you suggest in this situation? Thank you.
I feel that way myself! Was thinking about taking testosterone as im on the patch and tablet form progesterone. I've had hair loss the last 2 September so gone and I'm convinced it was the progesterone tab. Also some weight gain I feel due to particular type of progesterone tab I'm on... So feel unsure now bout taking testosterone gel..🤔 Dont want to be bald and fat..😂😂
Hi dr, I payed for my own hormone test as dr would do it. My testosterone came back at 0.384. I feel terrible all the time. I’m postmenopause. I’m not offered testosterone. Can you please tell me if this is low. Many thanks allana.
Thank you so much Dr Louuse Newson. Your information is always so helpful on hormones. So glad we have a menapause doctor like you. Your work is amazing 😊
Great insights, thank you. I have starting taking a low dose of testosterone cream & noticed after a few weeks, fluid retention but kept taking for another month & put on some weight. I felt amazing mentally & my fatigue lifted however I am trying to work out whether I lower my dosage & take every other day as you suggested. I feel great, just hate the weight gain. Will things balance out after a few months & the water retention go?
I had a phone appt at the wkend with the nhs dr. 1st time was Oct last yr when i felt oestrogel was reluctantly prescribed because of all the symptoms i had stated. That time she made it very clear that they didnt usually give to women over 60 and the risks of breast cancer were higher. Made me nervous but knew i had to try it as for years I'd been feeling so low. This phone call i told her id now bn prescribed Testogel by yr Clinic and as id broken my wrist last yr a GP had also agreed i could get it on the NHS after I'd finished my private prescription. This Dr told me she would have given a blood test b4 prescribing, said i should be aware of what could happen and directed me to look at the BMS website to make me aware of what it could do. They do not seem as confident as your clinic makes me feel and ive only bn there twice. I have had a small amount of spotting since being on the Testogel this yr and she said i should go yo the GP when this happens as it could be dangerous. Now i feel confused and am listening back over yr videos to enlighten myself again. Thanks for yr vlogs.
Thank you for making a huge difference in my life, I'm a patient of your clinic and love all the advice and treatment I've received. I'm back to my normal self and for that, I couldn't be more grateful.
I unfortunately already had health problems due to hormonal deficiency.. luckely i now am on hrt and therefor i can manage it better. I thought i was a lost case.. I am sad though that so many women suffer so much before getting heard. Thank you for your hard work !
Hi Louise, thank you for all your information. Have been on hormone since menopause but have not taken testosterone. My doctor recommended compound testosterone. Is that ok
I have been trying to get doctors to prescribe testosterone for 8 years. I turn 57 today actually, so I have been menopausal since my late 40s (and perimenopausal for way longer beforehand). I tried yet again a fortnight ago and my GP agreed with everything I said, but told me he couldn't prescribe it but that a gynecologist could. I saw one who FINALLY wrote me a prescription. I have been taking it for just over a week so hopefully I will start to feel benefits soon. I live in Australia and this cream is not subsidised by our PBS. It costs me $90 a tube (other pharmacies charge $108). Yet if I was as a male needing THT I would be able to get it subsidised. My progesterone is also not subsidized, only my oestrogen is. I find this horribly unfair and absolutely disgusting and neglectful. Older women are largely terribly neglected by the medical community.
This is so helpful, especially walking through the different ways low testosterone can affect you. I’m sure even more so now that I could benefit from taking testosterone in my HRT pack but had tried speaking to my doctor about this a few weeks ago who told me with a wry smirk - oh you don’t want to take that or you’ll end up fat, hairy, and with acne! 😢
