Olver runs the menopause clinic at Aneurin Bevan’s well being board and stated “we’ve got undoubtedly seen a really sharp improve in testosterone referrals from major care – for girls desirous to entry it”.
“It’s tough to fulfill demand and we’ve got a testosterone clinic arrange now for girls who need to trial it.”
She stated every of the seven well being boards in Wales used a visitors gentle system – some are crimson, that means solely specialists can prescribe the drug.
There are two amber choices – one includes a GP requesting the assist or settlement from a hospital specialist that testosterone is suitable for a affected person.
The second requires the hospital specialist to begin and monitor the prescription with a “shared care settlement”, with GP’s persevering with to prescribe it.
“One of many essential causes for this disparity is as a result of we do not have a licenced product for lady on the NHS,” Olver stated.
A feminine testosterone product has been obtainable in different nations for a few years, and is offered from non-public clinics throughout the UK.
Olver stated it had now achieved a licence within the UK however nonetheless wanted to be appraised by NICE, external to find out if it was cost-effective to make use of within the NHS, at which level discussions would even be required with the pharmaceutical trade about the associated fee to the NHS.
At present the feminine product, Androfeme, prices the NHS round £100, however the male product, Testogel, is £30.
“Research present about 60% of ladies will discover profit in bettering their libido,” stated Olver.
“It is actually vital to handle expectations, as a result of it is not this surprise drug that typically it is made out to be on social media.
“There’s a lot of explanation why girls do not need to be intimate – a few of these shall be exterior elements, some shall be anatomical.
“So it is actually vital to be absolutely counselled on what to anticipate when utilizing testosterone, but in addition the restrictions of its use.”
The Welsh authorities stated: “All well being boards are anticipated to stick to the NICE tips on identification and administration of menopause together with offering individualised care when prescribing HRT.
“We’re conscious this will embrace some practitioners prescribing testosterone for some girls.
“We anticipate all well being boards to evolve to any suggestion made by NICE in relation to prescribing testosterone when its steerage is printed.”
