FDA Reviews Testosterone for Menopausal Women as Prescriptions Jump 146%
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 17
FDA Reviews Testosterone for Menopausal Women as Prescriptions Jump 146%
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 17
Summary
Thursday’s FDA workshop will examine evidence for testosterone use in menopausal women, a therapy with no U.S.-approved female product despite rising off-label prescribing.
A 146% increase in women receiving testosterone prescriptions from January 2023 to July 2026 has collided with pharmacy delays and denials because patients often must split male-dose products.
Amazon Pharmacy said it rejects some customized testosterone prescriptions to ensure safe, compliant dispensing and instead refers patients to compounding pharmacies; clinicians also reported problems at CVS and Walgreens.
Costs can rise sharply when women are pushed to compounded versions—about $100 for a three-month supply versus roughly $30 after discounts for a 10-month commercial supply—and insurers usually do not cover the therapy.
Medical groups support testosterone only for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in menopausal women, while more than 30 trials are underway as clinicians press for a product specifically designed and dosed for women.