16th August 2025
Here’s the latest advice for women about menopause and testosterone, by Dr Jacqueline Radley, British Menopause Society Accredited Advanced Menopause Specialist
Testosterone in women: what you need to know
When it comes to menopause and women’s health, the conversation is usually dominated by oestrogen. But women actually produce much more testosterone than oestrogen. This hormone is essential for female health and wellbeing, yet it is often overlooked in both research and treatment.
In this article, we explore the role of testosterone in women, how it compares to oestrogen, what the latest evidence shows, and why the recent approval of AndroFeme® 1% testosterone cream in the UK marks an important milestone.
Testosterone vs oestrogen in women
One reason testosterone is misunderstood is that it is usually reported in different units to oestrogen. Oestradiol (E2), the main form of oestrogen, is measured in picomoles per litre (pmol/L), while testosterone is often measured in nanomoles per litre (nmol/L).
When both are converted into the same units, the picture changes:
- Before menopause: testosterone averages around 1600 pmol/L, while oestradiol averages about 400 pmol/L
- After menopause: testosterone averages around 600 pmol/L, while oestradiol falls to about 100 pmol/L
This shows that testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in women by concentration, both before and after menopause.
Why testosterone matters for women
Testosterone is not only a male hormone. Women produce it in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and it influences:
- Sexual function, particularly desire and arousal
- Energy and vitality
- Mood and emotional wellbeing
- Cognition, including memory, focus and concentration
- Muscle and bone strength
For women who experience a surgical menopause (removal of the ovaries), around 50% of testosterone production is lost overnight, which can have a significant impact on wellbeing.
Testosterone and menopause symptoms
The strongest evidence for testosterone treatment in women is for low sexual desire (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder) when standard HRT alone has not been effective. Both the British Menopause Society (BMS) and NICE currently recommend testosterone only in these circumstances.
Research into other possible benefits, including cognition, energy, mood and musculoskeletal health, is ongoing. While large clinical trials have not yet confirmed these effects, many women in specialist menopause clinics do report improvements when testosterone is replaced.
AndroFeme in the UK
Until recently, women in the UK prescribed testosterone were limited to products designed for men, such as Testogel or Tostran, which are difficult to dose at lower female levels.
AndroFeme® 1% cream is different. It is a body-identical testosterone cream developed specifically for women, making dosing more accurate and application more straightforward.
In 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved AndroFeme for use in postmenopausal women in the UK. A licensed version is expected to be available from 2026.
However, NHS availability will still depend on a NICE appraisal. Until then, women will need to access AndroFeme through private clinics.
The way forward
Testosterone is not just a male hormone. It is a vital part of women’s health. For too long it has been dismissed or ignored in clinical care. Recognising its role, expanding research, and ensuring access to safe, licensed preparations such as AndroFeme® are essential steps in improving menopause treatment.
We can help
If you are experiencing low libido, fatigue, brain fog, mood changes or reduced muscle strength after menopause or surgical menopause, testosterone may be part of the solution.
At Birmingham Menopause Clinic, we offer evidence-based treatment guided by the latest BMS and NICE recommendations, including access to testosterone where appropriate.
To find out more about testosterone treatment and whether it may help you, book a consultation with our menopause specialists today.