AndroFeme Becomes First Licensed Testosterone Cream for Women's Sexual Health in the UK
What Happened
On August 12, 2025, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved AndroFeme® Cream 10mg/ml, the first testosterone cream specifically licensed for postmenopausal women. This treatment is designed for hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD), a condition marked by persistent and distressing loss of libido that affects an estimated 6–13% of women in Europe. Until now, women in the UK had no licensed testosterone option; doctors often prescribed male-strength products “off-label.” AndroFeme® is a body-identical hormone, already available in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa (as TestaFeme®).
Why It Matters
This approval is a major step forward in menopause care. For years, women relied on testosterone products made for men, which made accurate dosing difficult and sometimes increased side-effect risks. Having a treatment designed for women means safer, more precise, and more regulated care. It also signals growing recognition of testosterone’s important role in women’s health—particularly in quality of life and sexual wellbeing.
What This Means for Women in Perimenopause & Menopause
For women struggling with low libido during menopause or perimenopause, AndroFeme® offers a long-awaited, tailored solution. According to UK guidance from NICE, testosterone can already be considered for women with low sexual desire when HRT alone is not effective.
Beyond sexual health, research suggests testosterone therapy may also help with:
- Energy: Reducing menopause-related fatigue.
- Cognitive function: Improving memory and mental clarity (“brain fog”).
- Muscle and bone health: Supporting strength and bone density, helping reduce osteoporosis risk.
- Mood: Easing low mood, irritability, and anxiety.
These additional benefits are not yet formally included in UK guidelines, but the approval of a licensed product may encourage further research and broader medical discussion.
Access & Availability
AndroFeme® has been approved in the UK, but its launch is expected in 2026. Until then, women may still need to access it through private clinics under a special import license.
Benefits & Risks
- Main benefit: Improved libido and sexual satisfaction for women with HSDD.
- Other potential benefits: Energy, mood, and cognitive improvements.
- Risks: Side effects are usually mild and dose-related (slight increase in body hair, oily skin, or acne). Rarely, higher doses can cause hair thinning or voice deepening. As with all topical creams, there’s a small risk of transferring the product to others, so handwashing and covering the application site are advised.
Next Steps / What to Watch For
The key milestone is the 2026 launch in the UK. It will be important to see whether the NHS makes AndroFeme® widely available and whether prescribing guidelines (such as NICE) are updated to reflect testosterone’s potential wider benefits for menopause care.
What This Means for Your Midlife Health
The approval of a licensed, female-specific testosterone cream is a milestone in women’s health. It represents progress toward more precise, regulated, and respectful treatment options for menopause symptoms. For women in the US and elsewhere, this decision is also a hopeful sign that regulatory agencies worldwide may follow the UK’s lead. We’ll continue to track developments so you’ll know when—and how—treatments like this become available.
Further Reading
If you’re curious to dive deeper, check out these resources: