HRT &
testosterone

Women's bodies produce several hormones which fluctuate during the menstrual cycle and are affected by the perimenopause and menopause, including:

Oestrogen, produced by the ovaries at puberty, helps the body develop and controls your monthly periods. After the menopause, ovaries stop producing oestrogen, leading to many distressing symptoms. Myla Health can give you back oestrogen in multiple ways.

• The most popular treatment is Oestrogel, a gel-form ‘bio-identical’ HRT which contains a synthetic form of oestrogen identical to the one produced by the body and is used daily.

• Oestrogen can also be given in a patch form which should be applied twice a week, or in a daily tablet form.

Progesterone is produced in the second half of the menstrual cycle, preparing your body for conception and helping to maintain pregnancy and regulate periods. Progesterone imbalance causes the familiar premenstrual symptoms of irritability, bloating and mood changes. Any woman taking oestrogen needs to also take progestogen in order to protect the womb lining from cancer.
Myla can prescribe it in these ways:

• Micronised progesterone tablets, sold under the brand name Utrogestan, is a popular choice as it's identical to the natural progesterone which is made in the body.

• A Mirena coil delivers the progestogen straight to the womb lining, also provides contraception and can stop troublesome and heavy periods.

• Some women prefer to have oestrogen combined with a progestogen (artificial progesterone) in a patch for ease of use or control of annoying bleeding.

Testosterone is seen as a male hormone, but the female body makes it in the ovaries and adrenal glands and it's vital for women's wellbeing. Testosterone helps libido, sexual arousal and orgasm and is also important in mood, muscle and bone strength and brain function as well as genital and urinary health. Testosterone levels falling gradually after the menopause can lead to low libido and delayed orgasm. It may also cause low energy, anxiety and depression.

• No testosterone preparations for women are licensed in the UK but Myla can prescribe medicines that are not licensed if they are commonly used and supported by evidence and experience, usually a male preparation that's used at a very low dose.

• The other option is to use Androfeme cream which is licensed and designed for women. Myla can prescribe it on a private prescription and it can be ordered from some pharmacies.