Testosterone Therapy for Women: What the Prescription Surge Means

Medically reviewed by Dr Rita M George (Specialist in Women’s Health) · Review date: 23 September 2026

Featured image is an illustration with an unbranded mock-up label, not a photograph of a dispensed product or a dosing guide.

Testosterone prescriptions for women are attracting attention, but more prescriptions do not mean every menopause symptom is a reason to take testosterone. A September 2026 Healthline report described an unpublished analysis commissioned for Reuters that found a 146% increase in prescriptions for women between January 2023 and July 2026. The analysis had not been published in a peer-reviewed journal, so that number describes a reported prescribing trend—not proof that treatment is appropriate or effective for all women.

This guide answers the more useful questions: When does evidence support testosterone therapy for women? Why might a pharmacy decline a prescription? What should a patient ask a clinician before considering a gel? It is educational information, not a prescription or an invitation to self-treat.

What is testosterone therapy for women actually supported for?

The Global Consensus Position Statement on testosterone therapy for women identifies one evidence-based indication: hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women, following a careful biopsychosocial assessment. HSDD means persistently low sexual desire that causes personal distress; an occasional change in interest, or a blood-test number on its own, is not the same diagnosis.

The assessment matters because pain with sex, vaginal dryness, medication effects, mood concerns, sleep problems, relationship circumstances, and other health conditions can also affect desire. A clinician should address relevant, modifiable causes and discuss whether a monitored treatment trial is appropriate for the individual. The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) clinical guideline describes a moderate benefit for suitable patients and stresses shared decision-making and follow-up.

There is not sufficient evidence to recommend testosterone as a general treatment for fatigue, low mood, brain fog, loss of muscle, weight change, or prevention of disease. Research in some other groups continues, but it should not be presented as an established indication. A low blood testosterone result alone cannot diagnose HSDD or establish that testosterone will help.

Why might a woman’s testosterone prescription be hard to fill?

In the United States, the FDA says its approved testosterone products are approved for specified uses in men; there is no FDA-approved testosterone product specifically for women. A clinician may sometimes prescribe an approved product for an unapproved use—called off-label prescribing—but this does not make the product approved for women or remove the need for a suitable formulation, clear instructions, and monitoring.

Products intended for men may deliver an amount or use a dispenser that is unsuitable for a woman’s prescribed treatment. A pharmacist may need clarification from the prescriber about the exact product, instructions, and whether it can be dispensed safely and lawfully. Local rules and pharmacy policies also vary. The appropriate response to a delay or refusal is to ask the prescriber and pharmacist to resolve the concern together—not to guess at a smaller amount, transfer gel into another container, substitute an injection or capsule, or buy an unverified product online.

If you are discussing an off-label option with a clinician, our guide to discussing off-label medication research offers a practical way to prepare questions. It does not replace a prescription or a local pharmacist’s decision.

Gel, injections, and other forms are not interchangeable

For the group and indication supported by the strongest evidence, the ISSWSH guideline discusses carefully monitored transdermal testosterone. That does not mean every gel product, concentration, dispenser, or instruction can be used for women. The global consensus cautions against formulations likely to produce levels above the physiological range, while ISSWSH does not recommend compounded products because evidence of consistent efficacy and safety is lacking. Decisions about a particular product belong to the treating clinician and dispensing pharmacist.

Gel can also transfer through skin contact to someone else. If a clinician prescribes a topical product, ask for its exact product-specific precautions and read our testosterone gel transfer-safety guide as supplementary information. Follow the instructions supplied with the prescribed product, especially around children, pregnant people, and close contacts.

What should be monitored if treatment is prescribed?

A clinician should explain the expected benefit, uncertainties, possible side effects, and plan for reassessment. ISSWSH recommends a baseline total testosterone measurement for monitoring—not for diagnosing HSDD—followed by repeat assessment to help avoid excessive exposure. Follow-up should consider whether the person actually feels a meaningful improvement and whether adverse effects appear. Possible androgen-related effects include acne, increased facial or body hair, hair thinning, or voice changes; report new symptoms promptly. Long-term breast and cardiovascular safety in women remains insufficiently established.

It is reasonable to ask when the treatment will be reviewed and what happens if it does not help. Do not change the amount or duration on your own. If your main concern is a different menopause symptom, ask what evidence-based treatment addresses that symptom directly.

Questions to take to your prescriber and pharmacist

• What diagnosis or symptom are we treating, and what other possible causes have we checked?
• Is this an off-label use in my country? Which exact formulation and dispensing instructions are intended?
• What result would count as a meaningful improvement for me, and when will we reassess it?
• Which blood tests and side effects will be monitored, and whom should I contact if a pharmacy cannot fill the prescription?
• How do I prevent gel transfer to other people if a topical formulation is prescribed?

For practical preparation around carrying a prescribed topical medication, see our travelling with testosterone gel guide. Rules differ by destination; check them with your prescriber, pharmacist, and relevant authorities before travel.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and editorial note

• Healthline, “Testosterone Prescriptions for Women Surge Amid Pharmacy Access Barriers” (September 22, 2026) — source for the reported prescribing trend; the underlying analysis was not peer-reviewed.
• Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women — evidence-based indication and limitations.
• ISSWSH Clinical Practice Guideline for Systemic Testosterone in Women With HSDD — patient selection, formulation considerations, and monitoring.
• US FDA, Testosterone Information — US approval context.
• US FDA, Personal Importation — US import restrictions.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general information, not a diagnosis, individualized medical advice, or instructions to use any product. Approval, prescribing, pharmacy dispensing, and import rules vary by country. Discuss treatment and local availability with a qualified clinician and licensed pharmacist.