General clinical plans

Additional management plans will be added in future.

Testosterone replacement

• BMS clinicians’ tools  

Testosterone may be recommended for postmenopausal women with hypoactive psychosexual desire disorder (HSDD) or low libido who are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are currently no licensed testosterone products for female use  but benefit and safety is been well studied and established. Other benefits of use may include increased muscle strength, improved cognition, increased energy levels, reduced migraines.

Initiating and assessing testosterone replacement

• Serum testosterone is needed prior to starting testosterone replacement, then repeated yearly or more frequently if side-effects are reported.
• The effectiveness of testosterone replacement is based upon individual self-reported benefit and side-effects.
• Testosterone replacement may increase the risk of side-effects. Lowering the dose or frequently of use, can reduce the risk of side-effects.
• Testosterone replacement should be discontinue after three to six months if no benefit or only side-effects occur.

Prescription choices

Application: Apply to thigh, lower abdomen or wrists and rotate sites regularly to avoid of localised hair growth

Potential side-effects: Hirsutism, alopecia, acne, voice change and weight gain

• Testogel 40.5mg/2.5g: A small pea sized amount, about a 1/8th packet per day = 5mg (1 box = 6/12 supply)
• Testim 50mg/5g: A small pea sized amount, about a 1/10th sachet per day = 5mg (1 box = 6/12 supply)
• Tostran gel 2% (60g): Half or one metered dose, two or three times a week—maximum use 1 metered dose on alternate days = 10mg (1 bottle = 6/12 supply)
• Testavan gel 2%: Half or one metered dose, two or three times a week—maximum use 1 metered dose on alternate days = 10mg (1 bottle = 6/12 supply)—off label
• Testogel 16.2mg/g gel: Not recommended for female use

Androfeme cream: Only available privately but formulated for female use.