Treatment
Testosterone for women, the evidence in 2026
Testosterone is not just a male hormone. Where it sits in modern HRT, who benefits, and the limits of what the data supports.
Dervis Gurol · 18 January 2026 · 8 min read
Women produce testosterone throughout life, in smaller amounts than men but with real clinical importance. It contributes to libido, energy, mood and muscle. After menopause, levels are typically lower, and for some women that loss is felt sharply.
Where the evidence is strongest
The clearest indication for testosterone in women is hypoactive sexual desire disorder after menopause, where oestrogen alone has not helped. International guidelines support a careful trial in this group, with monitoring of symptoms and blood levels.
Where the evidence is thinner
Claims that testosterone reliably improves mood, cognition, energy or body composition are not yet supported by the same quality of evidence. That does not mean it never helps, only that we are honest about what we know.
How we prescribe
When testosterone is appropriate, we use a licensed female-dose preparation where available, off-label and at conservative doses where not. Baseline bloods, a three-month review, and ongoing monitoring are standard. Care, not enthusiasm, drives the regimen.
