The short answer
There is no testosterone product FDA-approved for women in the United States, so any use in women is off-label. The 2019 Global Consensus Position Statement found evidence supports testosterone only for postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), using transdermal doses that keep blood levels within the premenopausal range. Evidence does not support it for energy, mood, cognition, bone, or general wellbeing.
Off-label use and safety
Because no product is approved for women, clinicians typically use a fraction of a male-labeled product or a compounded preparation. Compounded products are not FDA approved and their dose consistency is not FDA verified.
Excess testosterone can cause acne, increased facial and body hair, scalp hair loss, and, at supraphysiologic levels, voice deepening and clitoral enlargement that may not reverse. Long-term breast and cardiovascular safety data in women are limited. Transfer to partners and children can occur with gels and creams.
Current label check
Checked 2026-10-03. There is no FDA product label for this use. No testosterone product is FDA-approved for women in the U.S.; claims rest on the 2019 Global Consensus Position Statement.
Not established
FDA status
Testosterone products in the U.S. are FDA-approved for men with hypogonadism. Applications for female products have not been approved. Australia has a testosterone cream approved for women, which is why some guidelines reference female-specific dosing.
Limited human evidence
What the evidence shows
A 2019 meta-analysis of randomized trials found testosterone improved satisfying sexual events, desire, arousal, and orgasm in postmenopausal women compared with placebo, with modest average effects. It did not show meaningful benefit for wellbeing, mood, cognition, bone density, or muscle strength.
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Improves low sexual desire with distress (HSDD) after menopause | Supported by randomized trials; off-label in the U.S. |
| Improves energy or mood | Not established |
| Improves memory or cognition | Not established |
| Builds bone or muscle in women | Not established |
| Safe long term in women | Limited data |
Who is evaluated for it
Guidelines recommend first assessing other contributors to low desire, including relationship factors, depression, medications such as SSRIs, pain with sex, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and optimizing estrogen therapy where relevant. Testosterone is considered when HSDD persists.
Established evidence
Monitoring
The consensus statement recommends a baseline total testosterone level, a repeat about 3 to 6 weeks after starting, and periodic checks, keeping levels in the premenopausal range. Treatment is reassessed after about six months and stopped if there is no benefit.
Testosterone vs DHEA
DHEA is a precursor hormone. Prescription vaginal DHEA (prasterone, Intrarosa) is FDA approved for painful sex due to menopause, a different purpose. Oral DHEA supplements are not FDA approved for menopause symptoms and evidence for libido is inconsistent.
Established evidence
Side effects
- Acne and oily skin
- Increased hair growth at the application site or face
- Scalp hair thinning
- Irreversible voice change or clitoral enlargement at excessive doses
Questions to ask a healthcare professional
- Have other causes of low desire been addressed?
- What product and dose would be used, and why?
- How often will my levels be checked?
- When would we stop if it does not help?
Questions, answered
What people ask about Testosterone
Is testosterone FDA approved for women?+
No. No testosterone product is FDA approved for women in the U.S.; use is off-label.
Does testosterone help menopause fatigue or brain fog?+
Current evidence does not show benefit for energy, mood, or cognition in women.
Are testosterone pellets safe for women?+
Guidelines advise against pellets and injections in women because they can produce supraphysiologic levels that cannot be quickly reversed.
Does Kindr Health offer testosterone?+
This page is educational. Whether any treatment is appropriate is decided by a licensed professional after an individual review.
Kindr Health does not claim to offer Testosterone on this page. Availability and prescribing are not implied.
A broader care pathway
Explore menopause care
Learn how Kindr Health care pathways work. An educational page is not a statement that this medication is available or appropriate for you.
SOURCES & REFERENCES
Every clinical claim on this page is sourced.
- Global Consensus Position Statement on the use of testosterone therapy for women (2019) — Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31498871
- Safety and efficacy of testosterone for women: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2019) — Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31353194
- The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society (2022) — The Menopause Society (Menopause journal). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35797481
This resource is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change a prescription without guidance from a licensed healthcare professional.