Testosterone prescriptions for females rise 146%

Testosterone prescriptions for females rose 146% between January 2023 and July 2026, according to a Truveta analysis for Reuters published Sept. 15 and reported by Healthline on Sept. 22.

Evidence grade: Early (small, animal, cell or preprint). The figure matters because no Food and Drug Administration-approved testosterone product exists specifically for females, while guidance supports use for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal females, not broader menopause symptoms.

Healthline reported that the prescription increase has coincided with pharmacy delays and denials. The FDA on Sept. 17 called for more data on testosterone therapy for females and encouraged manufacturers to run studies that could support female-specific products.

Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health and medical director for The Menopause Society, told Healthline the evidence is narrow. “There is evidence for its use for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women. Testosterone does not decline specifically with menopause, but declines as a function of aging,” she said.

“It has not been shown to help with things like fatigue, well-being, bone density, muscle mass, or mood.”

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD, is defined in the source as persistently low sexual desire that causes significant personal distress. One study cited by Healthline found low sexual desire in 52.4% of naturally menopausal females and HSDD in 6.6%; another cited estimate put HSDD at around 1 in 8 females ages 45 to 65.

The access problem stems from how testosterone is prescribed. Off-label use means prescribing a product outside the specific FDA-approved population or indication; because products for females are not approved, clinicians may use products formulated for males at lower doses.

Healthline, citing Reuters, said nurse practitioners reported pharmacy rejections and patient difficulty filling prescriptions. Amazon Pharmacy told Reuters it does not dispense some testosterone prescriptions that require females to customize doses, saying the policy is about safe and compliant dispensing and is not specific to testosterone or to sex or gender identity.

Sherry Ross, an OB/GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., gave Healthline a broader view of testosterone’s possible role. “This powerful hormone helps in promoting muscle strength, bone growth, libido, balancing mood and energy, and reducing anxiety. Since menopause negatively affects all these systems, giving it some consideration can be life changing in perimenopause and menopause,” she said.

The study cannot show why prescriptions increased, how many people received testosterone in absolute terms, or whether broader menopause-related uses improve fatigue, mood, bone density or muscle mass. The supplied material did not include Truveta’s sample size, product types, dose ranges, treatment duration, adverse-event data, funding details or declared conflicts.

The reported evidence applies most directly to postmenopausal females with HSDD. Healthline reported that more than 30 testosterone trials in females are underway or planned, according to ClinicalTrials.gov, and that Avivo Bio is developing a female-specific testosterone therapy and studying possible effects on breast tissue.

Source: Healthline News article, Sept. 22, 2026.

Atlas360 reports health research and does not provide medical advice.