Testosterone Therapy for Women

Many women entering menopause hear about estrogen and progesterone, but testosterone? That conversation often gets skipped. Yet for some women, testosterone addresses symptoms that other hormones don't touch: libido that's disappeared, reduced sexual responsiveness and arousal, difficulty reaching orgasm, or loss of sexual confidence that affects intimacy and relationships.

Our guide brings together everything you need to know about testosterone therapy during menopause in one place.

What You'll Learn

Is testosterone therapy right for me?
We'll walk through who benefits most, what symptoms it addresses, and how to know if it's worth exploring.

How does testosterone therapy actually work?
You'll learn what to expect from treatment, realistic timelines for results, and how it fits with other menopause care.

Is it safe?
We'll cover the evidence on safety, what monitoring looks like, and how to avoid pitfalls like improper dosing.

How do I get started?
You'll understand our clinical process from evaluation through long-term care, including practical details like how to apply testosterone cream.

What happens if it doesn't help?
We'll discuss realistic expectations, when to reassess, and alternative approaches.

Section 1: Testosterone Is Not Just a "Male Hormone"

Women naturally produce testosterone throughout life, primarily from the ovaries and adrenal glands. It plays essential roles in sexual desire and response, energy and motivation, muscle and bone health, and mental clarity.

During menopause, testosterone levels decline gradually. Unlike estrogen's dramatic drop, testosterone falls slowly over decades, starting in early adulthood. By midlife, many women have lost roughly half of their peak levels.

For some women, this decline contributes to noticeable symptoms. For others, it doesn't. The question isn't just "Are my levels low?" but "Are my symptoms related to testosterone, and would replacement help?"

Learn more about how testosterone levels change during menopause →

Section 2: How Low Testosterone Shows Up in Menopause

Not every woman with declining testosterone experiences symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically cluster into recognizable patterns.

Sexual Changes

The clearest symptoms relate to sexual health. Women describe persistent low libido, reduced sexual responsiveness, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, and loss of sexual confidence. For many women, these symptoms cause deep distress, damaging their sense of self and their intimate relationships.

This isn't just "I’m less interested than before." It's a deep absence of desire that affects quality of life and relationships.

Explore the connection between testosterone and low libido →

Energy & Physical Changes

Some women notice fatigue that sleep doesn't fix, loss of physical strength or stamina, increased difficulty building or maintaining muscle, or changes in body composition.

Brain & Mood

Women sometimes describe brain fog or mental sluggishness, lower motivation or drive, or emotional flatness.

These symptoms overlap significantly with estrogen deficiency, thyroid problems, sleep issues, and depression, so comprehensive evaluation matters.

Overall Vitality

Perhaps the most common description: "I don't feel like myself anymore." It's hard to pinpoint but unmistakable when you experience it.

See the full picture of low testosterone symptoms →

Section 3: What Testosterone Therapy Does for Menopausal Women

When used appropriately, testosterone therapy can:

• Improve sexual desire and satisfaction
• Support energy and vitality
• Help preserve muscle mass
• May improve motivation and mental clarity

The strongest evidence supports its use for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD): persistent, distressing low libido in postmenopausal women.

Important context: Benefits are modest, not transformative. This isn't about returning to your 20s or exceeding what's natural for your age. It's about addressing a specific deficiency that's causing real symptoms.

Understand realistic timelines for improvement →

Section 4: Our Testosterone Therapy Process

Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation

We start with your symptoms: What bothers you most? How long has this been going on? How does it affect your daily life and relationships?

We assess:

• Your menopause stage
• Lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, exercise, nutrition)
• Other potential contributors (medications, relationship issues, mental health)

Step 2: Lab Testing

Hormone testing helps establish baseline testosterone levels, which helps when monitoring levels after treatment starts.

We don't focus on lab numbers alone. Symptoms matter more than any single value. But testing guides appropriate dosing and helps monitor safety.

Step 3: Personalized Plan

Based on your evaluation and testing, we create an individualized approach that includes:

• Dosing based on your symptoms and lab results, titrated to find the level that provides benefit while minimizing side effects
• Education about realistic expectations and timelines
• Discussion of risks and monitoring requirements
• Consideration of whether other hormone support (estrogen, progesterone) should be included, or optimized first

Step 4: Starting Therapy

At Inflexxion Health, we prescribe a custom-formulated topical testosterone cream applied once daily. We prefer this approach because it allows for careful dose adjustment based on your symptoms, lab results, and response to treatment.

Some clinicians use longer-acting options such as implanted pellets. While those approaches can be appropriate in certain settings, dose adjustments are more gradual once therapy is initiated. We prioritize a flexible, titratable approach, particularly during the first several months, when finding the right dose matters most.

Testosterone therapy should always be individualized and monitored. We begin with conservative dosing and adjust thoughtfully to achieve symptom relief while minimizing side effects.

Step 5: Follow-Up & Monitoring

Regular check-ins ensure therapy is working safely and effectively.

At Inflexxion Health, patients have a follow-up lab test and then a video consultation with their clinician 10-12 weeks after starting testosterone replacement therapy. This enables us to:

• Talk through and assess your symptoms: what’s working, what’s changed or catch any concerning side effects
• Adjust the dose if needed

We will do another check-in video appointment six months later when we will re-assess and refill your prescription as appropriate. But patients are encouraged to do chat-based updates, questions or concerns with their clinicians at any time.

Step 6: Long-Term Optimization

Testosterone therapy works best as part of comprehensive care that includes:

• Strength training and adequate protein
• Quality sleep and stress management
• Optimized estrogen (if appropriate)
• Attention to overall metabolic and cardiovascular health

We help you build sustainable habits that support long-term vitality, not just hormone levels.

Section 5: How to Apply Testosterone Cream

Basic Application

Apply once daily to clean, dry skin at approximately the same time each day.

Approved sites:

• Inner thighs
• Inner forearms (avoid elbow crease)
• Back of shoulders (posterior deltoid)

Rotate sites daily to avoid skin irritation.

Sites to Avoid

Do NOT apply to:

• Breasts or chest
• Genital area
• Broken or irritated skin

After Applying

• Let dry at least 5 minutes before dressing
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact at the application site for 2 hours
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Don't apply immediately before bathing, swimming, or heavy sweating

Important Safety Notes

If someone else might come into prolonged contact with your skin where you applied testosterone (children, partners), take extra care to cover the area or allow adequate drying time.

Section 6: When Will I Notice Results?

Realistic expectations help you stay the course during the adjustment period.

Weeks 1 - 2: Subtle Energy Shifts

Most women notice little to nothing this early. Some report fleeting changes in energy or mood, but these may not persist.

Weeks 3 - 6: Libido, Mood, Motivation

This is when meaningful changes often begin. You might notice:

• Sexual thoughts returning
• Feeling more receptive to intimacy
• Improved arousal during sex

Mood and motivation may also shift, though these effects are less predictable.

Weeks 6 - 12: Deepening Sexual Response

As testosterone continues to work, many women notice:

• Sexual desire becomes more consistent, not just fleeting
• Arousal happens more easily and feels more satisfying
• Orgasms may become more frequent or intense
• Overall sexual satisfaction continues to improve
• The distress about low libido noticeably decreases

This is also the timeframe when potential side effects typically become apparent if dosing needs adjustment:

• Mild acne or oily skin
• Slight increase in facial or body hair
• Any concerning changes should be reported to your provider

By 12 weeks, you should have a clear sense of whether therapy is helping. If you're seeing no benefit by 6 months, discontinuation is usually recommended.

Deep dive into what to expect and when →

Section 7: Safety & Monitoring

When properly dosed and monitored, testosterone therapy for women has a reassuring safety profile.

What "Proper Dosing" Means

Doses are individualized to provide symptom relief while minimizing androgen-related side effects. There is no single universally accepted "normal" testosterone range for women, as reference ranges vary by assay and individual response.

The goal is not to pursue a one-size-fits-all target or push levels well beyond typical female reference ranges, but to find the dose that works for your body with careful monitoring.

Higher doses don't reliably produce better results. They just increase side effects.

What We Monitor

Regular monitoring prevents overuse and catches potential issues early:

• Testosterone blood levels – Ensuring dosing remains clinically appropriate for you
• Symptom improvement – Based on your tracking
• Adverse effects – Any concerning changes
• Regular re-evaluation – Whether therapy should continue

Possible Side Effects

At appropriate doses, serious side effects are uncommon. Mild side effects that may occur include:

• Acne or oily skin
• Increased facial or body hair
• Scalp hair thinning

These are generally reversible if caught early and the dose is adjusted.

Rare but serious effects (usually only with overdosing):

• Voice deepening (may be irreversible)
• Clitoral enlargement

This is why proper dosing and monitoring matter. At the doses we use, testosterone therapy does not cause masculinization when properly monitored.

Long-Term Safety

Short-term use (1–2 years) has reassuring safety data. Longer-term use requires ongoing risk-benefit discussions with your provider. Continued monitoring becomes even more important if you stay on therapy beyond two years. High-quality randomized, placebo-controlled safety data beyond ~24 months are limited.

Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe long-term?

When properly dosed and monitored, testosterone therapy can be used safely long-term. While formal clinical trials have primarily studied use up to 2 years, many women continue treatment beyond this timeframe with ongoing medical supervision and regular monitoring to ensure continued safety and effectiveness.

Will I grow facial hair?

At appropriate doses, most women don't develop significant facial hair. Mild increases in fine hair can occur but are usually manageable and reversible with dose adjustment.

The goal is to bring your hormone levels back to a healthy, natural range for your body—not to raise them so high that they cause unwanted side effects like masculine changes.

Will my voice change?

Voice deepening is rare at appropriate doses. It typically only occurs when testosterone levels are pushed well above the female range.This is one reason why proper monitoring matters. Voice changes can be irreversible, so catching elevated levels early is important.

Can I stop therapy if I want?

Yes. You can stop testosterone therapy at any time. Your levels will return to baseline within weeks to months, and any benefits will gradually fade.There's no withdrawal or harm from stopping.

Is this the same as steroids?

No. The testosterone therapy we're discussing uses conservative dosing individualized to your symptoms and response, with careful monitoring to minimize side effects.

Anabolic steroids refer to much higher doses used for muscle building, which are not appropriate for women and carry significant risks.

Understanding safety and appropriateness →

Feeling Like Yourself Again

Testosterone therapy isn't right for everyone. But if you’re experiencing HSDD, it’s an ideal option. With proper medical guidance and realistic expectations, it can be a meaningful part of reclaiming vitality.

This isn't about anti-aging or optimization. It's about addressing persistent, distressing low sexual desire that's affecting your quality of life and relationships. It's about reclaiming sexual confidence and intimacy, feeling desire return in a way that feels natural, reducing the distress that comes with complete loss of libido, and reconnecting with an important part of yourself and your partnership.

What Matters Most

The best outcomes happen when:

• Symptoms are clearly identified and distressing
• Other contributing factors are addressed
• Hormone therapy is part of comprehensive care
• Dosing is appropriate and monitored
• Expectations are realistic

Moving Forward

If you're struggling with persistent low libido, unexplained fatigue, or that hard-to-describe sense of "I'm not myself," testosterone might be worth exploring.

But don't self-treat. Don't order products online. Don't use doses designed for men.

Work with a healthcare provider who:

• Has experience and expertise in women’s hormonal health
• Takes your symptoms seriously
• Evaluates comprehensively
• Uses evidence-based dosing
• Monitors appropriately
• Sees you as a whole person, not just a hormone level

That's how safe, effective testosterone therapy works.

Ready to explore whether testosterone therapy might help? Our team specializes in comprehensive menopause care that addresses the full picture of your health and wellbeing.