Hi I would be interested to hear other women’s experiences of using testosterone gel as part of HRT. I’ve been using it for a few years now and it certainly does what it’s supposed to libido wise, as I was hardly thinking about sex before starting it and orgasm was a bit of a damp squib, but I also have had side effects, hairiness is the main one really and although my levels are well within the female range, if I reduce the amount of gel I’m using my libido drops down as well as the hairiness. I also wondered if anyone else has had the experience of their clitoris becoming very sensitive since using the gel or whether this is part of ageing? I’m post menopause now and for a while now I can’t bare my husband touching it directly as he used to it’s almost like it’s too much, even oral and it’s hard I think for him to get used to this as he’s quite enthusiastic lol but i find more indirect touch of the whole of the vulva etc better and a much lighter touch is needed than before.
I’d have to agree with @chuckychester35, as my wife is also using the gel. 
GP wouldn’t prescribe Testosterone as my levels tested as within range, despite my non existent libido at that time. 
Initially when I became menopausal I was on HRT patches (I have a mirena coil,) plus oestrogen pessaries. Then I added a topical cream for my clit (via a private GP service,) which seems to have improved the sensitivity levels.
Maybe that oestrogen combo did something, as my libido seemed to sort itself out, and is now raging above H’s 
Is that with a HRT which includes testosterone or a separate testosterone product?
Mine rubs it into her inner thighs.
@xman69 yeah this is what I do but I have very hairy inner thighs now lol. I do wax them but my husband said he doesn’t care as pros outweigh cons!
@ApolloSwallow same here I’ve just adjusted my testosterone dosage and my husband is struggling lol but to be fair he works long hours and I don’t. I use oestrogen cream on external vulval area I’m guessing that’s what you mean you apply to clitoris ?
Meant to say it’s worth keeping an eye on that as testosterone levels won’t be static as we age. Many GP’s are really reluctant to prescribe it, the reason being it’s only available in the UK as a product for men and as a female one needs to adjust the dose, so I have a tiny sachet which a guy would use once per day and this lasts me 8 to 10 days . It’s used for women “off license” I got mine from NHS meno clinic. Doesn’t sound like you need it at the moment though lol !
No, I rub it in to my clítoris only. I’d almost lost all feeling to it. It was actually really distressing/depressing. Then I learned about clitoral atrophy and knew that was what I had. Thank god for the private GP.
It’s annoying that clitoral and vaginal atrophy isn’t really talked about and so many women aren’t aware of it. The focus still seems to be on hot flushes and moodiness and I’m not saying that’s not bad enough but the gynae symptoms can really affect quality of life and mood too. I hadn’t even heard of vaginal atrophy. I totally get why you found it depressing, when I lost my libido I felt the same it’s such an important part of life.
I haven’t seen the Davina McCall program so I’m not sure if she talks about it on that.
It’s oestrogen cream though that you’re using on clitoris ? If it’s something else please PM me 
Yes it is a bitch atrophy is awful Just been prescribed oestrogen to go internally but no testosterone
There is a lack of open discussion on the menopause and the full range of symptoms. My gyny referred me to the Menopause Matters website which has a lot of valuable information on it.
And yes, oestrogen on the clit. Certainly helped ‘plump’ mine up and restored some sensation - on the rare occasion it can still be lacking, but overall it’s been a saviour.
Is that the oestrogen cream?
Yes, its a cream: Ovesse
I was prescribed oestrogen pessaries initially on the NHS but menopause consultant prescribed oestrogen cream to use externally too. I’ve found that the cream used internally as well with an applicator was more effective for me personally as years went by. Oestrogen cream is available on NHS as generic 1% oestrogen cream as it might be unlikely they would prescribe a branded item. It used to be Ovestin cream but this was discontinued. Just make sure they give you 1% and not 0.1% as I was given at one point
Fuck that’s so hot!
Great thread this - glad so many of you ladies and gents are able to share all this. My partner has been in menopause for years and so has our sex life. She’s tried HRT but didn’t seem to make much difference. She had Testosterone sachets too, but I think she wasn’t using enough to increase her libido, but she did see and increase in hairiness (which I didn’t mind at all/actually quite liked it). So she’s now stopped…and we still haven’t had any action now for about 5-6 years.
Hi welcome, really sorry to hear this. It does take a bit of messing around with dosages etc for oestrogen /progesterone HRT and some GP’s aren’t that knowledgeable. Some women don’t absorb transdermal patches very well and may need to either change brands (I had to do this) or change to oral tablets or transdermal gel. Same with testosterone this is a certain amount of trial and error and there should be blood tests after you’ve been on it for a few months to check that levels are still within female range (it’s very unlikely they won’t be) or you are getting enough to make a difference. The hairiness can be made less noticeable by moving the site of application and not applying it in the same place each time, but personally I always apply it to my legs as they are easier to wax. I have heard of ladies on menopause matters forum saying they apply to underside of feet as there are no hair follicles there but haven’t tried or myself. Really feel for you and your wife as menopause can be so shit and has a huge impact on wellbeing and intimacy etc
Thank you for your kind and informative reply. Yeah menopause really has been a grenade in our relationship. Moving from an active and fun sex life to nothing has been pretty devastating and unfortunately leaves me looking for other opportunities. Which is sad because we still love each other but is very much in the friend-zone now. Completely agree about the lack of knowledge in GPs and how difficult it is to get dedicated help. I think all these barriers have taken their toll on her unfortunately, and she’s lost enthusiasm to keep trying to find a solution that works for her. Maybe she’ll come back round, but after such a length of time, we don’t even talk about it any more. I wish she’d take more active interest in forums like these - so much useful information…maybe I’ll drop some hints…
I used to put mine on my thigh and then a friend who’s a retired nurse told me to put the patch on my butt, alternating cheeks each time. That improved things for a while but then I noticed the effect wasn’t so long lasting so got my GP surgery to increase the dose. Sadly, my surgery is really poor in the area of menopause and didn’t even contact me for a review in 18 months. I had to request one, and then they asked “why do you think you need a review?” I basically said half way through the week I feel I could stab my husband with a pair of scissors because he’s stood in front of the kitchen drawer I need to get into.’ 
Menopause matters forum is probably the best place for her to get info. I literally felt like a different person with menopause I thought I was having some sort of breakdown. I really hope for both your sakes she gets some help. Some GP’s are more informed and sympathetic than others might be worth her seeing someone else but obviously I get its very difficult for you as you don’t want to seem like you’re pressuring her. I also suspect that if she’s feeling very down and it’s affected her mood it’s very difficult to find the motivation to try and fight for the help that you need
That’s great - thank you for recommending Menopause Matters - I’ve just looked it up - lots of useful info.
Yeah, I think sex has gone so far off her list, it’s just not even a thing she’s worrying about any more. When we used to talk about it, I did explain that it was really sad for me that we weren’t intimate any more - which she said she understood…and did spend the time (mentioned above) looking into it. I just need to find a way to re-activate her interest in it again, as unfortunately it will end our relationship eventually, or I’ll have affairs - which is rubbish all round.
Each time I instigate a conversation though, nothing changes, and she doesn’t follow-up…which over time is also building some resentment towards her…which isn’t helpful either! I’ll keep trying 