Menopausal women pose as men to buy testosterone online after prescription difficulties
One menopause specialist says she has seen women with up to 12 times the safe level of the hormone.
Post-menopausal women in Wales are resorting to purchasing testosterone online, posing as men, due to difficulties accessing NHS prescriptions. Consultant Dr Michelle Olver has observed a significant rise in testosterone referrals for post-menopausal women, with some women consuming up to twelve times the safe level of the hormone.
This practice puts them at risk of permanent side effects, such as baldness, deepening voices, and enlarged clitorises. Dr Olver advocates for a consistent, all-Wales approach to testosterone prescribing, emphasizing its potential benefits in addressing issues like libido, energy levels, and cognition. However, the Welsh government maintains that individualized care is expected from each health board, and there is currently no licensed testosterone medication for women in the UK.
Consequently, men are prescribed a lower dose of the male hormone. Emma Thomas, who co-founded the menopause support group Menopals Cardiff and Vale, has heard numerous women express their struggles in obtaining the hormone through the NHS. Some have tried hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which improved their mood within days, but it took around six months for the testosterone to show its effects.
Women report feeling more energetic and sociable after starting the treatment, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
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