Your healthcare provider will recommend regular testing to make sure TRT isn’t hurting your health. It may take a few weeks before you start noticing differences in your body and mood once starting TRT. Your healthcare provider will work with you to figure out which option is best for you. TRT doesn’t fix or cure the underlying cause of low testosterone. They’ll ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. As of 2025, it’s not yet approved for males who naturally experience a decline in testosterone as they age.
Regular blood testing is helpful, she adds, and allows clinicians to make dosage adjustments if side effects like mild masculinization do occur. "It’s disappointing that as we get older, we just have to accept annoying symptoms, because they don't seem to have a lot of things created for women," she says. Large analyses have found no evidence that testosterone increases cardiovascular problems in the short- to medium-term, for example, and a person’s risk of dying early doesn’t appear to change. It’s "pretty clear" that low doses of testosterone can improve libido for post-menopausal women experiencing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which means lack of desire without some other underlying cause, Kurtzer says. "It’s not going to be useful to them, so it becomes kind of wasted." The exact dose that women take varies, but the goal is to achieve the same level of testosterone they would have had in their premenopausal years.
Among women, perhaps the most common cause of a high testosterone level is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, what may seem like a symptom of testosterone excess (see below) may actually be unrelated to this hormone. Blood levels of testosterone vary dramatically over time and even during the course of a day. The proper balance between testosterone (along with other androgens) and estrogen is important for the ovaries to work normally. These hormones are thought to have important effects on
Anecdotally, many women experience a host of benefits. The best evidence-based use case for TRT for women is increasing sexual function in a safe, effective way. "It would be really nice," Kurtzer says, "if we did have an FDA-approved product for women that was dosed appropriately."
This level of detail supports decision-making about deployment eligibility and retention while ensuring medical safety for the patient. Medical records must clearly document the diagnosis, rationale for TRT, monitoring schedule, and any adjustments to therapy. Adherence to dosing regimens, injection or transdermal application schedules, and documentation of side effects are essential components of ongoing care. Additionally, some branches impose specific restrictions on activities that could affect safety or performance, such as high-demand field duties or roles with limited medical support. Medical evaluators look for objective indicators—lab results, symptom control, side effects, and adherence to follow-up care—that help determine suitability for deployment. In some cases, a service member on TRT may be temporarily or permanently deemed non-deployable, depending on the stability of the condition and the stability of the treatment plan. Hormonal therapies can influence energy, focus, mood, and cardiovascular health, all of which bear on mission readiness.
This is common among aging men who developed hypogonadism late in their life. Severe lower urinary tract symptoms include urinary frequency and urgency. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, restlessness, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, and bluish skin. Males aged 40 years older, preadolescent people, and those with migraine or epilepsy may require special considerations. It also states that the treatment is unsuitable for males who wish to conceive in the near future.
That distinction matters even more when men and women are discussed in the same article. If you search for testosterone targets on TRT, you will usually find a chart, a clinic range, or a single number presented as the answer. People who are considering TRT need a prescription and appropriate guidance from a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. Individuals with osteoporosis or low trauma fracture history will undergo a bone density scan one to two years after the initiation of TRT therapy. Some physical changes that TRT can bring about include increased muscle mass and bone density, and decreased body weight. However, further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects. A 2021 study suggests that long-term TRT improves liver function and reduces cardiovascular risks.
This can help improve the symptoms of low testosterone, like low libido and lack of energy. With TRT, you take a manufactured form of testosterone to regulate your levels. Before starting TRT, your healthcare provider will make sure low testosterone is an accurate diagnosis. TRT has certain risks and benefits, so your healthcare provider will carefully evaluate if it’s safe and right for you. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. At the same time, your doctor will check your red blood cell levels.
Testosterone may also help maintain normal mood. The pituitary gland then relays signals to the testes to produce testosterone. Signals sent from the brain to the pituitary gland at the base of the brain control the production of testosterone in men. Learn all about the sex hormone here, including its primary benefits. There's more to testosterone than guys behaving badly.

Gender: Female

Social links