In the UK, testosterone for menopause is available on prescription only. You can get it through the NHS, usually via your GP or an NHS menopause clinic, or privately through a regulated online menopause service. It is not something you can legally or safely buy over the counter.
Can you get testosterone for menopause on the NHS?
Yes, but access varies a lot. GPs can prescribe testosterone off-label for menopausal women, most often when low sexual desire has not improved on standard HRT alone. Not every GP is confident doing this. If yours is not, they can refer you to an NHS menopause or endocrinology clinic that will assess you and start treatment, after which your GP can usually continue the prescription. Waiting times for those clinics can be long in many areas.
Can you get testosterone for menopause online?
Yes. Regulated private menopause services, including online ones, can prescribe testosterone after a proper consultation with a qualified prescriber. The prescription is filled at a pharmacy, and treatment is monitored over time with blood tests. This route avoids a GP referral and the NHS clinic waiting list, though you pay for the consultation and the medication.
Why testosterone is prescribed off-label for women
- •There is currently no testosterone product licensed specifically for women in the UK.
- •Prescribers use preparations made for men, such as Testogel or Tostran, or the cream AndroFeme, at much lower female doses.
- •The British Menopause Society supports testosterone for menopausal women with low sexual desire where HRT alone has not been enough.
- •It is normally given alongside HRT, not instead of it, and it is not a fit for everyone.
What to check before choosing a service
- •The prescriber is qualified and registered, and the service itself is regulated.
- •Treatment includes proper monitoring with blood tests, not a one-off sale.
- •Pricing is clear: the consultation, the prescription, and the medication.
- •Never buy testosterone from unregulated online sellers. The dose matters and it needs monitoring.
How Solene fits
Solene is a nurse-led menopause service that looks at your whole picture, not just hot flushes. A nurse prescriber working through a CQC-registered practice can assess whether testosterone is appropriate for you, where clinically suitable, alongside the rest of your care, with no GP referral and no waiting list.
This article is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Whether testosterone is right for you is a decision to make with a qualified prescriber who knows your history.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy testosterone for menopause over the counter in the UK?
No. Testosterone is prescription-only in the UK. It cannot be bought over the counter, and buying it from unregulated online sellers is not safe.
Can I get testosterone for menopause online in the UK?
Yes. Regulated private menopause services can prescribe testosterone online after a consultation with a qualified prescriber, with monitoring over time.
Is testosterone for women available on the NHS?
Yes, off-label, usually for low sexual desire that has not improved on HRT alone. Access depends on your GP, who may refer you to an NHS menopause clinic.
Do I need blood tests to take testosterone?
Yes. Responsible prescribing includes blood tests before and during treatment to keep levels in the correct range for women.
What testosterone products are used for women in the UK?
There is no product licensed for women in the UK. Prescribers use male gels such as Testogel or Tostran, or the cream AndroFeme, at lower female doses.
Wondering if testosterone is part of your picture?
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