Most women who take testosterone at the doses used in menopause care have no side effects at all. The ones that do occur are mostly local, mostly reversible, and mostly a sign that the dose or the technique needs adjusting rather than that something has gone wrong. Knowing which are which, and which ones mean picking up the phone, is the point of this page.
The common ones
- •Spots or oilier skin, most often on the face or back, usually early and usually dose-related.
- •Hair growth at the site where you apply it, which is a technique and dose issue rather than a general change.
- •Skin irritation where it is applied, which sometimes resolves simply by moving the site.
These are the ones worth mentioning at a review. They are not emergencies, and they frequently settle when the dose is adjusted.
The rarer ones, and why they matter more
Effects associated with levels rising above the range intended for women are uncommon at properly monitored doses, and they are the reason monitoring exists at all. Deepening of the voice, hair growth on the face or body away from the application site, and any change in the clitoris are all reasons to make contact rather than wait for your next appointment. Voice change in particular may not fully reverse, which is why it is treated as a stop-and-call rather than a mention-it-later.
What gets monitored, and what for
- •Blood levels, to confirm you are inside the female range rather than above it.
- •Your own report of skin and hair, which frequently shows up before a blood result does.
- •How and where you are applying it, since absorption and site explain a lot.
- •Whether the benefit justifies continuing, because a side effect on a treatment that is not working is an easy decision.
The blood side of that monitoring, what is measured and how often, is in testosterone blood tests for women.
Reducing the chance of problems
- •Apply the measured amount, and only that. More is not better and is the usual route to trouble.
- •Rotate the site, and avoid applying it where the blood sample will be taken from.
- •Do not apply it to the same place as your oestrogen gel.
- •Cover the area once dry, because testosterone can transfer to other people by skin contact, including children and partners.
- •Keep the reviews. Skipping monitoring is how a slowly rising level goes unnoticed.
When to get in touch rather than wait
Any change in your voice. Hair growth on your face or elsewhere away from the application site. Any change in the clitoris. Acne that is severe or distressing rather than mild. Anything that worries you and is new since starting. None of these mean you have done something wrong, and all of them are easier to deal with early.
How Solene fits
Monitoring and reviews are part of our plans rather than extras, and Complete members can reach their nurse between appointments. See what is included.
Noticed something since starting treatment?
Map your symptoms in under 10 minutes and get free, personalised advice, then talk to a nurse prescriber if you want to.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common testosterone side effects in women?
Spots or oilier skin, and hair growth at the site where it is applied. Both are usually dose or technique related and often settle with adjustment.
Can testosterone deepen my voice?
It is uncommon at properly monitored doses, but it is possible and it may not fully reverse. Any change in your voice is a reason to contact your prescriber rather than wait.
Can testosterone transfer to other people?
Yes, by skin contact. Let it dry and keep the area covered, and avoid contact with children and partners at the site.
Will side effects go away if I stop?
Most local effects such as spots and site hair growth settle after stopping or after a dose reduction. Voice change is the one that may persist.
Do I need monitoring even if I feel fine?
Yes. The purpose is to confirm levels have stayed within the range intended for women, and a rising level does not always announce itself.
