Women in Wales are reportedly posing as men to buy testosterone from online pharmacies due to difficulties in securing NHS prescriptions, according to a consultant. There has been a "very sharp increase" in testosterone referrals for post-menopausal women, but access varies between health boards.
Dr Michelle Olver, a menopause specialist, has observed women with testosterone levels up to 12 times the safe limit after purchasing the hormone online. She warned that persistently high levels could lead to undesirable permanent side effects such as baldness, deepening of the voice, or enlargement of the clitoris.
Testosterone is prescribed for post-menopausal women to help with reduced libido, though a study is underway in Wales to investigate anecdotal reports of improved cognition and energy. Currently, there is no testosterone medication licensed specifically for women in the UK, so a male product is prescribed in much lower doses.
The Welsh government stated that "All health boards are expected to provide individualised care." However, some GPs are reportedly reluctant to prescribe "off licence" medications, or a total ban on prescribing testosterone can occur within practices to balance workload, leading women to gynaecology waiting lists.
A female testosterone product, Androfeme, has achieved a licence in the UK but still requires appraisal by NICE to determine its cost-effectiveness for NHS use. It currently costs the NHS around £100, compared to £30 for the male product, Testogel.