Testosterone prescriptions for females increased 146% between 2023 and 2026, even as patients face pharmacy access barriers due to a lack of FDA-approved products for women.

A recent analysis by Truveta found that testosterone prescriptions for females rose 146% between January 2023 and July 2026. This increase occurs despite the fact that no testosterone products are currently FDA-approved specifically for women, leading to reports of pharmacy delays and prescription denials. While clinical guidance supports the hormone for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women, its use for other menopause symptoms remains debated.

Clinical Guidance and Off-Label Use

The Menopause Society supports testosterone therapy for postmenopausal women diagnosed with HSDD, a condition characterized by persistently low sexual desire. However, experts like Dr. Stephanie Faubion of the Mayo Clinic note that evidence does not support using the hormone for other menopause-related concerns such as fatigue, mood, or bone density. Despite this, some clinicians prescribe it off-label for these purposes, citing potential benefits for muscle strength and energy.

Pharmacy Access and Regulatory Status

Because no female-specific testosterone products are FDA-approved, clinicians often prescribe products formulated for males at lower, customized doses. This practice has caused difficulties for patients, as some pharmacies reject these prescriptions. Amazon Pharmacy stated it does not dispense certain testosterone prescriptions that require customized dosing to ensure safety. On September 17, the FDA encouraged manufacturers to conduct studies to support future approval of female-specific testosterone therapies.