Women face rising testosterone prescriptions and pharmacy denials

Prescription rates for testosterone among women are climbing, even as many encounter unexpected delays and denials at pharmacies. Interviews with a range of clinicians, nurses and patients reveal that the increase is driven largely by women seeking relief from menopause‑related symptoms.

There is no testosterone product that has received U.S. regulatory approval for use in women. Nevertheless, the hormone is being prescribed off‑label, primarily to address persistently low sexual desire associated with menopause. Medical guidelines and evidence of efficacy currently support this use only for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in menopausal women.

Some health providers are extending prescriptions to other menopause‑related concerns, such as fatigue and loss of muscle strength, despite the absence of formal medical guidance for those indications. The Menopause Society and several other professional organizations endorse testosterone therapy solely for hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health and medical director of The Menopause Society, emphasized that there is no evidence that testosterone improves muscle mass, bone density, mood, overall well‑being or other health metrics in women. She noted that the benefits promoted in popular media and on social platforms do not align with the limited data available.

Patients reporting the need for testosterone therapy have described difficulties obtaining the medication, with pharmacies frequently denying or postponing fulfillment of prescriptions. Clinicians say the lack of an approved product and the off‑label nature of the treatment contribute to these logistical challenges.

The rise in testosterone use occurs alongside a broader increase in hormone therapy among women, a trend that appears to be fueled by social‑media influence and recent FDA support for estrogen and progesterone treatments. This context may be encouraging more women to explore hormonal options for managing menopause symptoms.