Testosterone Therapy
Discover how testosterone therapy can enhance your well-being and vitality. At Female GP, we understand the unique health needs of women and are here to support you on your journey.
What is Testosterone Therapy?
Testosterone therapy involves the administration of testosterone at female levels, typically in combination with estrogen and progesterone, to help manage symptoms associated with low hormone levels. It is a licensed treatment that has been used for decades to improve libido in women. Additionally, it has been observed to enhance energy levels, improve mood, and boost overall quality of life.
Testosterone and HSDD
Testosterone therapy is licensed to improve libido in women, especially postmenopausal women experiencing Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). HSDD is defined by a persistent or recurrent lack of sexual desire lasting at least 6 months, which causes significant personal distress. The criteria for diagnosing HSDD in postmenopausal women include a persistent low libido, an absence or decrease in spontaneous sexual desire, a lack of response to sexual stimulation, and significant distress related to the reduced sexual desire, which can affect self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. Testosterone therapy can be effective in improving these symptoms, particularly when estrogen therapy alone does not resolve the issues related to sexual desire.
Is Testosterone Therapy Right for You?
When setting expectations for testosterone therapy, it's important to note that data suggests an increase of just one more pleasurable sexual encounter per month. While this might seem like a small change, it can be highly significant, especially for someone whose quality of life is deeply impacted by low libido. It’s also important to remember that other factors contribute to sexual satisfaction, such as emotional connection, mental health, and relationship dynamics. Testosterone therapy may take up to 6 months to show noticeable improvements in libido and sexual satisfaction. Additionally, studies on men have shown that improvements in cognitive function with testosterone therapy may take up to 1 year, which underscores the need for patience and realistic expectations when considering its full benefits.
Testosterone therapy in HRT is a hot topic. Some advocate for it as a standard part of hormone therapy, while others won’t prescribe it—even for low libido. I sit somewhere in the middle.
I prescribe testosterone when it’s indicated and when the benefits outweigh the risks. But I also take the time to explore what low libido really means for each patient—because libido is a mood, not just a hormone level.
In this post, I’ll walk you through why and how I prescribe testosterone and what you should consider as part of your own hormonal journey. Monitoring is really important as part of testosterone treatment because high levels, ie above female physiological range can cause irreversible androgenisations (ie voice deepening and clitoromegaly)
