Testosterone for Women

Testosterone for women in Dunfermline

Testosterone is usually thought of as a male hormone. It is not. Women produce it too — mainly in the ovaries and adrenal glands — and levels fall with age and after the menopause.

For some women that fall contributes to a persistent loss of sexual desire which causes real distress. Where that is the case, and where other causes have been considered, testosterone can be prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy.

Dr Emily Arthurs (BSc, MBChB, MRCGP), our female GP, prescribes and monitors testosterone at our Dunfermline clinic. She holds the British Menopause Society Management of the Menopause Certificate. Assessment, blood tests, prescription and follow-up all happen here, and no referral is needed.

What testosterone does in women

• Sexual desire (libido)
• Energy levels
• Mood and wellbeing
• Muscle strength
• Bone health
• Cognitive function — thinking and concentration

What testosterone is licensed for in the UK

This is worth being straight about, because a great deal of what is written about testosterone for women online is not.

In the UK, testosterone is licensed in menopausal women for one thing: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) — a persistent loss of sexual desire that causes personal distress and affects quality of life.

Research into wider benefits is ongoing, including the ESTEEM trial. At present testosterone is not routinely recommended for improving energy, mood, memory, weight loss or general wellbeing on their own. If you have been told otherwise, be cautious about who is telling you.

Who it may be suitable for

• Women who have gone through the menopause
• Women experiencing persistent low sexual desire that is causing distress
• Women who have already looked at other possible causes — relationship difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, medication, or vaginal symptoms

That last point matters. Low desire usually has more than one cause, and testosterone is rarely the whole answer. Dr Emily Arthurs will work through the whole picture with you rather than going straight to a prescription.

How it is prescribed

There is currently only one testosterone product licensed specifically for women in the UK. It is expensive and can be difficult to obtain, so it is accepted practice to use lower doses of products designed for men, under clinical supervision.

Testosterone for women is prescribed as a gel or cream applied to the skin, at a licensed dose of 5mg daily. Dr Emily Arthurs will talk you through which preparation suits you, what it costs, and how to use it at your appointment.

Applying it

• Apply to the lower abdomen or upper thighs, and avoid the breast area
• Wash your hands afterwards, and avoid touching other people or pets until you have
• Allow it to dry for a few minutes before covering the area
• Do not wash the area for two hours after applying
• Always use the prescribed amount — more is not better, and it increases side effects and risks
• Store it safely, away from children and pets

What to expect, and when

Women who respond to treatment may notice increased sexual desire, improved sexual satisfaction, more sexual thoughts, and improved arousal and response.

Benefits are not immediate. Expect six to eight weeks before you notice a change, and up to six months for the full benefit. Not everyone experiences a significant improvement — and we would rather say so now than have you wonder at week four.

Side effects

More common side effects include acne, increased facial or body hair, oily skin, weight changes, thinning of the hair on the scalp, and hair growth where you apply it.

Less common side effects include deepening of the voice, enlargement of the clitoris, and significant male-pattern hair growth.

Tell us if you develop side effects that bother you. Regular follow-up is part of the treatment, not an optional extra.

Monitoring

Monitoring is how we keep the dose right and keep you safe.

• A blood test before you start — to check your natural level is within the normal range. If it is already high, testosterone may not be suitable for you
• Follow-up bloods and a review at three months, then annually — covering both symptoms and side effects
• The aim is to keep your testosterone level within the normal range for women
• If you do not attend for follow-up blood tests and review, further prescriptions cannot be issued. This is not an administrative hurdle — unmonitored testosterone is how people come to harm

When testosterone may not be suitable

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• If you have certain liver conditions
• If you have uncontrolled heart disease
• If you have a history of hormone-sensitive cancer, unless your specialist advises otherwise

Always tell us about your medical history and any medicines you take. Speak to us if you experience side effects, if your symptoms have not improved after several months, if you become pregnant, or if you develop voice changes, excessive hair growth or significant acne.

Seen at Canmore Street

We are at 30 Canmore Street, Dunfermline — a short walk from the town centre, easy to reach from across Fife, and around 30 minutes from Edinburgh.

Dr Emily Arthurs sees patients on Thursdays, from 3 September 2026. Appointments are usually available within the week, there is no referral needed, and you will see the same GP at your follow-up.