Who it may help
The clearest use of testosterone in women is low sexual desire after menopause, where it has been studied most and where a supervised, physiologic dose has the best track record. Many women also report more energy, better mood, and a general sense of vitality. Those benefits are real for some patients but less well studied, and Dr. Broderick will say so rather than overpromise.
- Low or absent sex drive
- Low energy and stamina
- Loss of muscle tone
- Low mood or motivation
- Poor sleep
- Symptoms that began around menopause
As with men, these symptoms have many causes — thyroid, iron, sleep, depression, medications, and relationship or life stress among them. An internist's evaluation comes before a hormone prescription.
What treatment looks like
- Baseline first. Your history, medications, and an estrogen baseline are reviewed and documented before anything is prescribed.
- A small subcutaneous dose. Testosterone for women is given under the skin with a small needle, daily, at a fraction of a male dose. You are taught to administer it at home.
- Diet and exercise discussed. Every plan includes a realistic conversation about eating, strength training, and sleep, because hormones work better when the basics are in place.
- Follow-up. Response and side effects are reviewed with Dr. Broderick, and the dose is adjusted, paused, or stopped based on what you report and what the labs show.
Possible side effects
The most common are acne and hirsutism (unwanted hair growth), both dose-related and the reason the dose is kept low and watched. Testosterone has been less studied in women than other hormones, and there may be other beneficial and non-beneficial effects. No cardiac consequences have been established at female doses, but testosterone may increase cholesterol, so lipids are checked. Because hormone therapy can speed hair thinning in people prone to it, a prescription hair-growth cream is offered from the start.
Testosterone must not be used in pregnancy. If you intend to conceive a child, or could become pregnant, tell Dr. Broderick before starting.
Estrogen and progesterone
If menopause symptoms — hot flashes, night sweats, broken sleep, vaginal dryness — are part of the picture, estrogen may be appropriate alongside or instead of testosterone. If you still have your uterus, progesterone is added to protect the uterine lining.
- Options: low-dose oral estradiol, or a transdermal patch in various strengths, which can be combined with progesterone (medroxyprogesterone for part of the month, or micronized progesterone daily).
- Screened before prescribing: menopause status and last menses, possible pregnancy, breast cancer, embolism or blood clots, stroke, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and liver disease.
Estrogen and progesterone have their own benefits and risks, which depend on your age, how long since menopause, and your history. They are discussed with you individually before any prescription is written.
Before your first visit
Text 239-248-2242 with your name, date of birth, and “appointment request,” or walk in Wednesdays at 4 PM. Bring your medications in their bottles and any medical records, including recent hormone levels, mammogram results, or gynecology notes if you have them. The office can mail intake forms ahead of time if you prefer. Full visit details