Testosterone is FDA approved for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in women. However, many women report that testosterone helps with anxiety, irritability, depression, lack of well being, physical fatigue, bone loss, muscle loss, cognition, clear thinking, memory loss, insomnia, joint aches and pain, exercise endurance, lack of interest in things/depression,  breast pain, urinary complaints, fat loss around the mid section, improved body composition,  as well as improved libido and interest in sex.   

Both are compounded medications. Both are bio-identical. Creams are used daily. Injections are given once or twice a week into the fat tissue using a small insulin syringe. 

Before initiating therapy, we’ll assess your testosterone levels to mitigate potential side effects. Additionally, we conduct follow-up tests eight to 12 weeks into therapy and any time we adjust dose.  You’ll visit a local LabCorp for testing. Most insurance covers labs or cash pay $65.

Labs help to ensure a safe and effective treatment. Once your well established on a dose where you feel your best we only grab a lab test once a year. 

Adverse effects of testosterone in women are uncommon if levels are maintained within the female physiological range. The most common are excess hair growth, acne, increased body odor which are usually reversible with reduction in dosage or discontinuation. Alopecia, deepening of voice and clitoral enlargement are rare with physiological testosterone replacement.

It typically takes 8-12 weeks to notice a difference in libido. Other improvements such as joint pain, mood, cognition can be seen earlier.  Some women report improvement within the first week. We start slow and titrate up to a dose where you feel your best. 

Although treatment is FDA approved for women there is no FDA approved testosterone commercially available for women. There are men’s products but the dose is 10X higher and not easy or accurate to break down into smaller doses for women.