THE DOCTOR IS IN Curious About Taking Testosterone?

You may be hearing about women using this hormone— here's what we know (and what we don't).

- LAUREN STREICHER, M.D.

These days you can hardly turn on the TV without seeing an ad directed at men suffering from “low T.” But it’s not just guys who are looking to boost their testosterone levels; many postmenopausal women are jumping on the bandwagon as well. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men. And just as happens for men, women’s testosterone levels drop as they age.

There is controversy, however, about the benefits of giving women testosterone. Why? Simply put, the fact that women’s levels of this hormone drop with age does not necessarily mean that supplementing with testosterone will be beneficial for them. Before asking for a prescription, check out the answers to some FAQs.

Could testosterone boost your libido?