Testosterone for Menopause
Tackle low libido and in menopause with testosterone prescriptions from our Menopause Specialists.
Testosterone for Women
You do not need to accept a loss of sexual desire as an inevitable part of menopause. Testosterone can be a valuable addition to HRT for women who have persistent low libido that they find distressing. For some women, optimising estrogen is enough to improve sexual wellbeing, but others may continue to struggle despite otherwise feeling better on HRT.
At The Menopause Partnership, we understand how much these changes can affect your wellbeing, confidence and relationship. We provide a specialist assessment, and aim to make access to HRT and testosterone straightforward and supportive while making sure treatment is safe and appropriate.
Sex and intimacy are often complex, so we take a holistic approach, considering hormones as well as factors such as vaginal dryness, pain, mood, sleep, stress, relationships and medication side effects. This helps us make sure that any treatment plan is tailored to you and gives the best chance of improving your symptoms.
Testosterone is carefully dosed and monitored to keep levels safely within the female range. It is used as a gel or cream. Side effects, such as mild acne or increased facial or body hair can occur but are uncommon at appropriate doses and are usually reversible if the dose is reduced or treatment is stopped.
We recommend a follow up appointment at 3 months to assess benefit, side effects and blood results, then at least annually if treatment is continued.
Testosterone for Menopause FAQs
What are the benefits of testosterone in menopause?
For some women, especially after menopause, testosterone levels drop and symptoms can appear that aren’t fully improved by HRT alone. In these cases, testosterone may help with:
- Improving sexual desire and pleasure
- Boosting energy and reducing fatigue
- Supporting mood and mental clarity
- Helping maintain muscle strength and bone health
Your specialist will only suggest testosterone if it’s likely to benefit you and if other options haven’t been enough.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone in women?
Symptoms can vary, but may include:
- Lower interest in sex
- Feeling unusually tired
- Low mood or irritability
- Less muscle tone or strength
- Difficulty focusing or “brain fog”
Because these symptoms can overlap with other causes, it’s important to be assessed by a specialist before starting treatment.
Can I take testosterone and HRT at the same time?
If clinically appropriate, testosterone can be prescribed alongside HRT. This is usually considered only once you are well established on HRT and still have distressing low libido. Treatment is reviewed after 3 months, then annually.
What are the side effects for testosterone for women?
Most women tolerate testosterone well when it’s given in the right dose. Possible rare side effects include:
- Mild acne or oily skin
- Unwanted hair growth (usually fine and slow)
- Voice changes (rare, especially with correct dosing)
- Mood changes
Regular follow-up is key to keeping your treatment safe and effective.
Patient Information Leaflets About Testosterone
Want to learn more about menopause health in general? Dive into our knowledge base.
