Testosterone Prescriptions for Women Have Surged 146 Percent Since 2023, Study Finds
A new study finds that testosterone prescriptions for women have jumped 146 percent since 2023, driven by growing awareness of hormonal health and the influence of social media. Researchers say the trend raises questions about long-term safety and the need for better clinical guidelines.
Testosterone prescriptions for women have surged 146 percent since 2023, according to new research published in October 2026. The sharp increase reflects growing interest in hormonal health among women, fueled in part by social media discussions and a broader cultural shift toward proactive health management.
The study, which analyzed prescription data from a large U.S. insurance database, found that most prescriptions were written for women between the ages of 35 and 55. Physicians cited low libido, fatigue, and mood changes as the most common reasons for prescribing testosterone.
Testosterone is not FDA-approved for use in women in the United States, meaning all prescriptions are written off-label. Doctors typically prescribe compounded formulations or male-approved products at lower doses.
Researchers say the trend raises important questions. Long-term safety data for testosterone use in women is limited, and there is no consensus on optimal dosing or monitoring protocols. Some studies have linked testosterone therapy in women to acne, hair loss, and changes in cholesterol levels.
Dr. Sarah Feldman, an endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the surge reflects a real unmet need but also a gap in clinical guidance. "Women are coming in asking for this, and many of them have legitimate symptoms," she said. "But we need better research to know how to prescribe it safely."
The Endocrine Society is currently updating its clinical guidelines on testosterone therapy for women, with new recommendations expected in early 2027.
Advocates for women's health say the trend is part of a broader shift toward taking women's hormonal health seriously, particularly in the perimenopause and menopause years, which have historically been underresearched and undertreated.
