Is testosterone therapy safe?

Is testosterone therapy safe?

Jennifer Berman (Director, Berman Women's Wellness Center) gives expert video advice on: What happens when a woman is sexually aroused?; What is 'female sexual arousal disorder'?; Do doctors ever prescribe oxytocin for sexual arousal problems? and more...

There are risks associated with any medication. The risks and side effects associated with testosterone are the same as they are in men: weight gain, hair growth, oily skin, acne-- all of which, by the way, are reversible. Hair loss is a potential side effect. Coarsening, or hoarsening of the voice is a side effect that is not reversible. That happens when levels get too high, when patients are not monitored closely for side effects and levels. And then finally, increase in size of the clitoris and/or labia can be a side effect of testosterone therapy. There are other blood, hematological, side effects - increase in red blood cells and some cardiovascular changes, although studies have shown that testosterone has a positive effect on lipids. So those are the negative side effects and those generally occur when levels aren't monitored and patients aren't monitored closely for side effects. Typically, the worst side effects that I've seen are some hair growth and some oily skin and a lot of women are willing to forego the hair growth for the positive effects of the testosterone.