There has been an increased focus on testosterone and its contribution to women’s health.  General practice colleagues are sometimes asked to prescribe testosterone for women by patients themselves or from secondary care colleagues.

Many colleagues do not feel competent to prescribe testosterone and are also aware, as per the British Menopause Society, that it should not be prescribed based solely on low levels on testing.

When approached by patients requesting testosterone, we advise colleagues to refer them to an appropriate service to assess any symptoms and treatment required unless you feel competent or have additional specialist training to help support these patients.

If a specialist requests you prescribe testosterone and you do not feel competent to prescribe, in keeping with GMC Good Medical Practice, you should not prescribe.  We have been informed of examples where colleagues have been asked to prescribe testosterone by specialists while a patient is awaiting their first OPA and has not been yet assessed by the specialist.  In such circumstances, it would not be advised to prescribe.

If the request for prescribing has an unclear rationale or does not seem appropriate for your patient, we would suggest you seek clarification from the specialist colleague and highlight the above advice and BMS, GMC and NICE guidance.

Should you experience ongoing pressure to prescribe in such circumstances, please do let us know at the LMC.