Testosterone Therapy for Women

Testosterone Therapy for Women

“Testosterone is produced by your ovaries
but does not change in menopause. This hormone
decreases gradually with age starting in your 40s, and…”.

Umbrella

What may the Testosterone Therapy for Women Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Androgen
  • Male Androgen Hormone
  • Male Hormone
  • Male Sex Hormone
  • Testosterone
  • Testosterone Therapy/Treatment

Definition

What is testosterone?

DotS the definition of testosterone may vary. The Australian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“Testosterone is the male sex hormone found in smaller amounts in women. In women, increased levels of testosterone can lead to acne and can cause unwanted facial or body hair (hirsutism). Low levels of testosterone in women may contribute to loss of libido and sometimes low mood and energy”.2

Female Hormone

Is testosterone a female hormone?

On page one in Testosterone Replacement In Menopause: Is Testosterone A Female Hormone? reviewed May 2026, the British Menopause Society (BMS) elaborate on:

“Yes – premenopausal women produce both testosterone and estrogen physiologically. Androgens, including testosterone, are essential for development and maintenance of female sexual anatomy and physiology, and modulation of sexual behaviour”.3

Testosterone Change

Does testosterone change in menopause?

In Menopause: Hormones and Menopause – Testosterone the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“Testosterone is produced by your ovaries but does not change in menopause. This hormone decreases gradually with age starting in your 40s, and increases again at about 58-59 years of age.

Testosterone is not one of the main female hormones but it does have a role in women’s:

  • Sex drive (libido)
  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Bone and muscle strength.

Your doctor might suggest testosterone to help with loss of sex drive”.4

2019 Recommendations

What do the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) recommendations published in 2019, include?

In the Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women Recommendation 12 includes:

“(12) Recommendations regarding current testosterone therapy and postmenopausal women
(a) The only evidence-based indication for the use of testos-terone in women is for the treatment of postmeno-pausal women who have been diagnosed as having HSDD after formal biopsychosocial assessment (Level I, Grade A)”.5

What is HSDD?

HSDD can be an abbreviation for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in women?

2025 Recommendations

What do the IMS’s recommendations published in December 2025, include?

In the International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause: 20. Androgen Therapy, Recommendation 20 includes:

  • “Available data do not support the prescription of testosterone for women for any symptom or condition (other than postmenopausal HSDD) or for disease prevention. Evidence quality ranges from ⨁⨁⨁◯ B to ⨁⨁⨁⨁ A”.6

Current Debate

What is the current debate about testosterone therapy for women?

There appear to be two major schools of thought about testosterone therapy for menopausal women.

One school of thought believes testosterone therapy should only be prescribed for postmenopausal women with HSDD in keeping with the IMS guidelines.

The other school of thought believes testosterone therapy could be prescribed more broadly for menopause symptoms such as low mood, low energy, memory problems, brain fog and more.

HSDD

What is HSDD in women?

DotS the definition of HSDD may vary. In What Is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) In Women? What Causes It? the International Society for Sexual Medicine’s definition is:

“Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a troublesome condition in which women lose interest in sex. The Society for Women’s Health Research estimates that one in ten women have HSDD, making it one of the most common female sexual health complaints”.7

Postmenopausal HSDD

For postmenopausal women experiencing HSDD, is testosterone therapy currently recommended?

On page one in Testosterone for Women: Why Use Testosterone? the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC), the patient arm of the British Menopause Society, elaborate on:

“Testosterone is currently recommended for women with persistent low sex drive, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). It is recommended that testosterone is only prescribed after all other possible factors, including taking inadequate estrogen replacement, have been addressed. Even with this indication, testosterone does not help everyone”.8

Testosterone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms

Is testosterone therapy recommended for some menopause symptoms?

On page two in the Testosterone Replacement In Menopause: What About the Potential Wider Benefits of Testosterone? reviewed May 2026, the BMS explain:

“Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of testosterone to date have not demonstrated the beneficial effects of testosterone therapy for cognition, mood, energy and musculoskeletal health. Further, better designed studies are required with these health issues as primary outcome measures, as some individuals report improvement of these symptoms”.9

Effective or Not

How long can it sometimes take for the full effects of testosterone to work?

On page two in Testosterone for Women: How Is Testosterone Treatment Given? the WHC note:

“It can sometimes take a few months for the full effects of testosterone to work; a 3-6 month trial is often recommended. If you have not seen a benefit after this time, it is recommended that you stop”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I am considering testosterone therapy?

If you are considering testosterone therapy, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about the benefits, risks and regular follow up.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Testosterone Therapy for Women?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Testosterone Therapy for Women?

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Links

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New or Updated

  1. Balance Between Excitement, Inhibition Key To Treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
  2. Can You Have Systemic Testosterone on Its Own Without Oestrogen Therapy?
  3. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  4. Cutting Through the Myths Around Testosterone
  5. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  6. Don’t Believe the Hype. Menopausal Women Don’t All Need To Check – or Increase – Their Testosterone Levels
  7. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Management
  8. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
  9. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Sleep Disturbances In Menopause
  10. Effects of Testosterone Hormone on the Sexual Aspect of Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review
  11. FDA Approves Expanded Use of Flibanserin for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Women
  12. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  13. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  14. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  15. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  16. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  17. Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women [2019]
  18. HRT Questions Answered
  19. How Perimenopause Can Really Impact You and Your Partner
  20. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms
  21. Individualized TRT Demonstrates Broad Symptom Improvements Beyond Sexual Function [Testosterone Replacement Therapy]
  22. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  23. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  24. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  25. Is Testosterone Just for Men? The Science of Women’s Hormones & Health | Susan Davis | EP #379 [26 August 2025]
  26. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  27. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life] [Other Languages and Formats]
  28. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
  29. Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  30. Low Sex Drive In Women
  31. Low Sex Drive In Women: Diagnosis & Treatment
  32. Low Testosterone In Women
  33. Low Testosterone Levels In Women Associated With Double the Risk of Cardiac Events
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  35. Menopause
  36. Menopause Relief In the Spotlight Thanks To Monash University-Led Studies [Australia]
  37. Menopause and Sexuality
  38. Menopause: How To Talk To Your Doctor
  39. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  40. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]Testosterone Therapy for Women
  41. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Testosterone Therapy for Women
  42. Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  43. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – Dyspareunia – Vaginal Atrophy and Beyond [Sign In To Confirm Your Age]
  44. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What Is Sleep, What Is Menopause and How Do They Interact? [20 October 2025]
  45. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  46. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars 2025 – The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  47. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  48. Perimenopause
  49. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  50. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Testosterone Therapy for Women
  51. Postmenopause
  52. Prescribing of Testosterone for Middle-Aged Women ‘Out of Control’
  53. Professional Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Professional Videos and Podcasts – Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder HSDD—Open the Door To Discussion
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  54. Sex and Sexual Health As You Age
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  57. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing [08 June 2025]
  58. Talk About Painful Sex
  59. Talking Testosterone & Menopause With Prof. Susan Davis [Video]
  60. Testosterone | Dr Louise Newson
  61. Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  62. Testosterone Levels Decline With Age, Not Menopause, Despite What You’ve Heard
  63. Testosterone Q&A | Dr Louise Newson
  64. Testosterone Replacement In Menopause
  65. Testosterone Sex & Libido With Sexual Health & BMS Accredited GP, Dr Angela Wright [Video]
  66. Testosterone Therapy In Females Is Not Associated With Increased Cardiovascular or Breast Cancer Risk: A Claims Database Analysis
  67. Testosterone Therapy In Women: Breaking Myths and Gaps
  68. Testosterone and Breaking the Stigma
  69. Testosterone and Why the UK Is Falling Behind
  70. Testosterone and the Hormone Triangle, With Dr Mohit Khera | The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
  71. Testosterone for Women
  72. Testosterone for Women
  73. Testosterone for Women: Benefits, Science & Live Q&A
  74. Testosterone for Women: When Dosing Is Right, You Have Options | Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smith
  75. Testosterone for Women | Confidence In Menopause
  76. Testosterone: Beyond Libido | The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
  77. Testosterone: Why Is It So Hard To Access?
  78. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  79. The Benefits of Testosterone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  80. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Sexual Desire
  81. The Real Danger To Women Isn’t Hormone Therapy, It’s Bad Science
  82. The Testosterone Conversation With Dr. Kelly Casperson: Beyond Libido
  83. Top Menopause Questions Answered: Hormones, Bones, Sex & Sleep
  84. Updated 2024 NICE Menopause Guidance Summary
  85. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
  86. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  87. What Can Affect Your Sex Life?
  88. What Is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) In Women? What Causes It?
  89. Will Menopause Affect Your Sex Life?
  90. Who Should Take Testosterone In Menopause
  91. What Women’s Health Providers Need To Know About Testosterone Therapy and Menopause
  92. What You Should Know About Female Testosterone With Dr. Lauren Streicher
  93. World Menopause Day 2019
  94. World Menopause Day 2019: Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women: A White Paper [Multiply Languages]
  95. World Menopause Day 2019: Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone Therapy for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
  96. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
  97. World Sexual Health Day [04 September]
    Testosterone Therapy for Women

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause: Hormones and Menopause – Testosterone. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 24 May 2026
  2. Glossary of Terms: Testosterone. 22 April 2026. Australasian Menopause Society https://hub.menopause.org.au/Play?pId=b474d931-428c-4cf7-a80a-74ff4287b33d Accessed: 24 May 2026
  3. Testosterone Replacement In Menopause: Is Testosterone A Female Hormone? Reviewed: 26 May 2026. British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians/testosterone-replacement-in-menopause/ Accessed: 24 May 2026
  4. Menopause: Hormones and Menopause – Testosterone. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 24 May 2026
  5. Davis, S. R., Baber, R., Panay, N., et al. 2019:4. Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/global-consensus-testosterone-english.pdf Accessed: 24 May 2026
  6. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause: 25. Compounded ‘Bioidentical’ or ‘Natural’ Hormones. 23 December 2025 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2025.2585487#abstract Accessed: 24 May 2026
  7. Testosterone for Women: Why Use Testosterone? Reviewed: February 2026:1. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/testosterone-for-women/ Accessed: 24 May 2026
  8. What Is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) In Women? What Causes It? International Society for Sexual Medicine https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-hsdd-in-women-what-causes-it? Accessed: 24 May 2026
  9. Testosterone Replacement In Menopause: Is Testosterone A Female Hormone? Reviewed May 2026. British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians/testosterone-replacement-in-menopause/ Accessed: 24 May 2026
  10. Testosterone for Women: How Is Testosterone Treatment Given? Reviewed: February 2026:2. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/testosterone-for-women/ Accessed: 24 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 04 June 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 24 May 2026

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