Androfeme Testosterone
Testosterone is an important female hormone, and healthy young women produce approximately 100 – 400 mcg per day. It helps to maintain normal metabolic function, muscle and bone strength, urogenital (bladder and vaginal) health, mood and cognitive (brain) function, and libido.
Testosterone deficiency can be experienced in menopausal women, and so once your oestrogen has been optimised we may offer to prescribe testosterone. A low dose of testosterone can sometimes be beneficial at improving your energy, mood, concentration and also sex drive (or libido). It does not help everyone and is not a magic bullet for libido. Usually, you will also be recommended HRT alongside testosterone as well as vaginal oestrogen if needed to treat vaginal dryness.
There are currently no testosterone products for female use licensed in the UK. The licenses for patches and implants were both withdrawn for commercial reasons; however, the safety and efficacy data for these products remain valid. By extrapolation of these data it is deemed acceptable for products licensed in men (mainly gels) to be prescribed off label in female doses. It is not uncommon in clinical practice to use medicines without their product licence or “off-licence”. This means there is evidence to support the prescribing of this medication but the product has yet to be licensed in the UK for female use.
AndroFeme® Testosterone is a cream which you rub into your skin so it goes directly into your bloodstream. It will restore your blood testosterone levels back into the normal range for women. It is designed for female usage. AndroFeme is not currently available in the NHS and is being imported from Western Australia by special license from the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA). Androfeme is only available on special order and on a private prescription.
How to use Androfeme Cream
Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly before using the cream.
Step 2: Fill the syringe to the required dose. For example: a 0.5mL dose of Androfeme (5 mg testosterone) needs the flat part of the plunger level with the 0.5 mL mark. If there are any air bubbles in the measured dose fill slightly past the required dose mark then depress the plunger so that the excess cream flows back into the tube. Stop at the required dose mark.
You can view our useful step-by-step guide, detailing how to take your AndroFeme using the AndroFeme syringe, here.
Step 3: Apply Androfeme directly onto clean, dry, healthy skin of either the lower abdomen or the upper outer thigh. Rotate the area of skin you apply it to and do not use more than suggested dose. Allow to dry before dressing.
Step 4: Rinse the applicator in hot water after use and replace in box with Androfeme cream ready for the next day’s application.
Step 5: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying the cream.
Remember that:
- Your dose should be applied at approximately the same time each day.
- It is recommended that patients do not swim or shower until at least one hour after application of Androfeme cream.
- Close skin contact with the area of application within an hour of application, by a partner or children should be avoided, as this may result in the partner or child absorbing some testosterone through the skin contact.
- It is important to have regular blood monitoring to reduce the risk of any side effects occurring.
- AndroFeme contains almond oil so should not be used if you have an allergy to almonds.
FAQs
Testosterone is an important female hormone. Healthy young women produce approximately 100 – 400 mcg per day, and it contributes to libido, sexual arousal and orgasm by increasing dopamine levels in the central nervous system. Testosterone also maintains normal metabolic function, muscle and bone strength, urogenital (bladder and vaginal) health, mood and cognitive (brain) function.
Lowering testosterone can lead to a number of distressing sexual symptoms such as low sexual desire, arousal and orgasm. Testosterone deficiency can also contribute to a reduction in general quality of life, tiredness, depression, headaches, cognitive problems, loss of bone and muscle mass as well as function.
Testosterone increases the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter in your brain responsible for your feelings of pleasure. There may also be a connection between testosterone levels and the function of serotonin. Many women describe “a lack of joy” which may be a result of dopamine and testosterone function.
It can sometimes take a few months for the full effects of testosterone to work; a 3-6 month trial is often recommended.
We will organise a repeat blood test after 3 months and 6 months of using the AndroFeme. This is to check that your levels are within the approximate physiological concentration for women. You should not use the testosterone gel on the day of this blood test or for 12 hours before your blood test.
If you forget to apply your cream, you should apply it as soon as you remember provided this is within 9 hours of your usual time of application.
Otherwise do not apply the cream until the next application Is due. Missing a dose will not create an undue disruption to your treatment.
Keep the tube in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
There are usually no side effects with testosterone treatment as it is given to replace the testosterone that you are otherwise lacking.
If you use the recommended dose i.e., a small amount over a week or more, side effects are very few.
Very occasionally women notice some increased hair growth in the area in which they have rubbed the cream. This can be avoided by changing the area of skin on which you rub the cream.
As the dose is so low, testosterone used in this way does not increase your risk of developing facial hair, voice deepening or skin changes.
It is important to have regular blood monitoring to reduce the risk of any side effects occurring.
AndroFeme contains almond oil so should not be used if you have an allergy to almonds.
Because of the way Androfeme is used, an unintentional overdose is unlikely. If you think that you or anyone else may have used too much Androfeme immediately telephone your clinician or the local Poisons Information Centre for advice or call 111.
