TLDR Short-term testosterone therapy in women seems safe with few mild side effects, but long-term effects need more research.
The 2009 document concludes that short-term testosterone therapy in women, aimed at achieving serum testosterone levels at the upper end or slightly above the normal range for reproductive-aged women, appears to be safe with minimal risk of hepatotoxicity, endometrial hyperplasia, or behavioral hostility. Mild side effects like acne and hirsutism are reversible, and more severe side effects are rare at low doses. There is no evidence of adverse cardiovascular effects, and data on breast cancer risk is inconclusive, with some studies suggesting potential protective effects at low doses. However, the document stresses the need for long-term studies to definitively establish the safety of testosterone therapy in women, particularly concerning breast and endometrial health, and cardiovascular outcomes.
81 citations,
May 2007 in “Fertility and Sterility” Testosterone therapy seems safe for postmenopausal women for a few years, but more research is needed for long-term effects.
11 citations,
September 2012 in “Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada” Testosterone therapy seems safe for short-term use in postmenopausal women with low sexual desire, but more research on long-term effects is needed.
17 citations,
June 2018 in “Sexual Medicine Reviews” The document concludes that non-operative treatment for gender dysphoria is safe and effective, and hormone therapy does not increase cancer risk.
31 citations,
September 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Testosterone therapy may slightly improve sexual function in postmenopausal women, but its long-term safety is unknown.
1 citations,
July 2015 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Testosterone therapy can improve sexual function in women but long-term safety is unclear.
6 citations,
April 2019 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” Testosterone therapy for transmasculine individuals is generally safe with medical supervision, improves mental health, and has mixed effects on physical health.
