Women produce testosterone and levels decline gradually with age. The one indication supported by an international expert consensus is postmenopausal hypoactive sexual desire disorder, where systematic reviews show a moderate benefit for desire, arousal and pleasure. There is no FDA approved testosterone product for women in the US, so any prescription is off label. Importantly, a blood testosterone level is not used to make the diagnosis, and treatment decisions rest on assessment rather than on the number.
Women do produce it
Testosterone is not a male only hormone. Women produce it in the ovaries and adrenal glands, in much smaller quantities than men, and levels fall gradually with age rather than dropping at menopause the way estradiol does.
What the evidence supports
A global consensus position statement produced by an international task force of endocrine and menopause societies concluded that testosterone can improve sexual wellbeing in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Systematic reviews back that up, with improvements reported in desire, arousal, orgasm and pleasure, and reduced distress about sex. The effect is described as moderate, not transformative.
What it does not support, yet
Beyond that indication, the evidence thins out quickly. Testosterone is widely discussed for energy, mood, body composition and cognition in women, and those uses are not currently backed by the same quality of trial data. Long term safety has not been established, which is why a non oral route is preferred and why dosing is kept in the physiological range.
Why your level is not the deciding factor
This surprises people. Blood testosterone does not reliably predict sexual function in women, so the consensus guidance does not use a threshold level to diagnose. Levels are measured, but mainly to establish a baseline and to confirm dosing stays in range afterwards, not to decide who qualifies.
- No FDA approved female product exists in the US, so prescribing is off label
- Assessment decides, not the number, and that assessment is meant to consider relationship, mood and medication factors first
- Levels are monitored on treatment to keep dosing physiological
How Regener8 approaches it
Total and free testosterone are both on the panel, so you will see where you sit. Whether testosterone belongs in your plan is a clinical decision your board certified clinician makes with you on a 30 minute visit, in the context of everything else on the panel and what you are actually experiencing.
Last updated
September 4, 2026
