Testosterone for Women

HRT MEMBERS ONLY

INDICATIONS FOR USE

Testosterone cypionate is used off-label in women to address hypoandrogenism, symptoms of menopause, and sexual dysfunction. It is also utilized for improving energy, mood, bone density, and muscle mass.

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

  • Intramuscular injection.

COMMON INITIAL DOSING REGIMENS

  • For women, low doses such as 2–10 mg intramuscularly every 1–2 weeks are typically used. Dosing is carefully titrated based on clinical symptoms and serum testosterone levels.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

  • Testosterone cypionate is a synthetic form of testosterone that binds to androgen receptors, influencing gene expression. It promotes anabolic effects like increased protein synthesis and reduced fat deposition while modulating libido and mood.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

  • Endocrine: Potential virilizing effects, including voice deepening, acne, and increased body or facial hair.

  • General: Mood changes, fluid retention, and fatigue may occur during dose adjustments.

  • Reproductive: Menstrual irregularities or cessation of menstruation in premenopausal women.

  • Rare: Long-term use may increase risks of polycythemia or cardiovascular issues.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Absolute: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or known hypersensitivity to testosterone cypionate.

  • Relative: Use with caution in women with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, significant liver or kidney dysfunction, or untreated sleep apnea.

MORE INFORMATION

  • FDA Safety Data Sheet not available

  • Islam RM. Safety and efficacy of testosterone for women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trial data. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2019 [PubMed Link]

  • Vegunta S. Androgen Therapy in Women. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2020 [PubMed Link]

  • Xia W. Hormone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Health in Postmenopausal Women. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 [PubMed Link]

  • Johansen N. The role of testosterone in menopausal hormone treatment. What is the evidence? Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2020 [PubMed Link]

  • Davis SR. Testosterone in women--the clinical significance. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2015 [PubMed Link]

  • Glynne S, Kamal A, Kamel AM, Reisel D, Newson L. Effect of transdermal testosterone therapy on mood and cognitive symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women: a pilot study. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2025 [PubMed Link]

  • Uloko M. The clinical management of testosterone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a review. Int J Impot Res. 2022 [PubMed Link]

  • Marina L. Hormonal profile of menopausal women receiving androgen replacement therapy: a meta-analysis. J Endocrinol Invest. 2020 [PubMed Link]

  • Richard-Eaglin A. Male and Female Hypogonadism. Nurs Clin North Am. 2018 [PubMed Link]

  • Davis SR. Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 [PubMed Link]

  • Bertelli E. Hypogonadism in male and female: which is the best treatment? Minerva Pediatr (Torino). 2021 [PubMed Link]

  • Davis SR. Not just sex: other roles for testosterone in women. Climacteric. 2025 [PubMed Link]

  • Donald DM. Replacement with sex steroids in hypopituitary men and women: implications for gender differences in morbidities and mortality. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2024 [PubMed Link]

  • Jayasena CN. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy and safety of testosterone therapy for female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2019 [PubMed Link]

  • Rosenthal A. The role of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in anti-aging medicine: a review of the literature. Int J Dermatol. 2020 [PubMed Link]

  • Ingram CF, Payne KS, Messore M, Scovell JM. Testosterone therapy and other treatment modalities for female sexual dysfunction. Curr Opin Urol. 2020 [PubMed Link]

  • Martínez-García A, Davis SR. Testosterone use in postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2021 [PubMed Link]