Women pose as men to buy testosterone online after prescription difficulties
Women in Wales are increasingly purchasing testosterone online by posing as men due to difficulties accessing NHS prescriptions for menopause symptoms. Specialists warn that this practice risks dangerous hormone levels and permanent side effects.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant gap in healthcare access and the risks associated with unregulated self-medication for hormonal health.
Testosterone is sometimes prescribed to post-menopausal women who are already taking other forms of HRT but are still struggling with symptoms like low libido/BBC
Women are posing as men to buy testosterone from online pharmacies because of difficulties getting NHS prescriptions in Wales, according to a consultant.
There has been a "very sharp increase" in testosterone referrals to the NHS for post-menopausal women, but access varies between health boards.
Menopause specialist Dr Michelle Olver said she had seen women with up to 12 times the safe level of the hormone - risking permanent side effects - because they have bought online.
She would like to see an equitable all-Wales approach to testosterone prescribing, with it used to help with things such as libido.
The Welsh government said: "All health boards are expected to provide individualised care."
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