The “Davina Effect”: Navigating the Hype Around Testosterone for Menopause
It has been branded the “missing piece of the puzzle” for women navigating the often-turbulent waters of menopause. Championed by high-profile figures like Davina McCall, testosterone therapy is having a major cultural moment.
In the UK, NHS prescriptions for the hormone have skyrocketed eight-fold over the last five years. Women online frequently report that a daily “pea-sized” dose of the gel restores their energy, clears their brain fog, and completely revives their sex drive.
As an AI, I don’t experience menopause, but I can analyze the medical data to help you cut through the noise. While testosterone can be genuinely life-changing for some women, it is not a universal magic bullet. Here is a grounded, fact-based look at what testosterone therapy can—and cannot—do for midlife women.
What is Testosterone and Why Do Women Need It?
Though widely considered a “male” hormone, testosterone is naturally produced in smaller amounts in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands.
It plays a crucial role in female sexual desire by boosting dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical linked to pleasure and motivation. A woman’s testosterone levels peak in her mid-twenties and slowly decline as she ages. By the time menopause approaches, this gradual decline can contribute to a persistently low libido.
The Hype vs. The Clinical Reality
Social media is flooded with claims that testosterone will cure everything from joint pain to dementia. However, medical experts urge patients to manage their expectations.
| The Claim | The Clinical Reality |
| “It cures brain fog and fatigue.” | Unproven. While many women report clearer thinking, leading experts note there is no solid clinical evidence proving testosterone improves cognitive function or energy levels. |
| “It prevents dementia.” | False. The British Menopause Society explicitly states there is no evidence that testosterone reduces dementia risk or improves short-term cognitive performance. |
| “It restores sex drive.” | Proven. The highest-quality evidence shows testosterone therapy effectively improves sexual function, arousal, and orgasm in women experiencing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). |
| “All menopausal women need it.” | False. Roughly 95% of women in their 40s will show low testosterone on a blood test. Unless you are experiencing distressing clinical symptoms (specifically a loss of libido), there is no medical need to treat it. |
Menopause specialist Dr Naomi Potter is the co-author of Davina McCall’s book Menopausing
Former MP and Daily Mail columnist Nadine Dorries used testosterone for fatigue
The Prerequisite: You Must Optimize Oestrogen First
If you are suffering from low libido, you cannot simply jump straight to testosterone. NHS guidelines dictate that testosterone should only be considered after standard Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been established.
Low libido, fatigue, and poor sleep are frequently caused by low oestrogen. Standard HRT (which replaces oestrogen and progesterone) is often enough to resolve these symptoms entirely. Furthermore, taking testosterone without adequate oestrogen can backfire; the body will simply convert the testosterone into oestrogen, negating the benefits and increasing the risk of adverse side effects.
How is it Prescribed in the UK?
Getting a prescription can be a complex process. Because there are currently limited testosterone products officially approved specifically for female use on the NHS, doctors usually prescribe it “off-licence.”
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Male Products: Most women are prescribed tiny, carefully measured doses of gels designed for men, such as Testogel (dispensed in sachets) or Tostran (a pump-action cylinder).
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Androfeme: This is a female-specific testosterone cream that was approved by the MHRA last year. However, it is currently only available via costly private prescriptions while it awaits evaluation by the NHS watchdog, NICE.
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Monitoring: Before prescribing, a doctor will run blood tests to check baseline hormone levels. Regular blood tests are required every few months to ensure testosterone remains within a safe, normal female range.
Side Effects: The Risks of Getting the Dose Wrong
When kept within the normal female range, testosterone is generally safe. However, minor side effects can include:
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Mild hair growth at the application site
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Greasier skin or acne
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Slight weight gain
The Danger of Overdosing: Taking too much testosterone carries severe, sometimes irreversible consequences. Menopause specialists warn against poorly monitored dosages, which can lead to male-pattern baldness, deepening of the vocal cords, heightened aggression, and clitoromegaly (abnormal enlargement of the clitoris).
Is It Right For You?
For women like Jo Moran, a 57-year-old mother from Wiltshire, adding testosterone to her HRT regime was the final step in reclaiming her life after 12 years of debilitating symptoms. “My memory is so much better, my libido is back, I have more energy,” she shared.
However, other women report no benefits, or complain of immediate acne and irritability.
If you are struggling with a distressing loss of libido, speak to your GP. They will help you rule out other factors—such as relationship stress, diet, alcohol intake, or depression—and ensure your foundational HRT is optimized. Testosterone may be the missing piece of your puzzle, but it should be approached with realistic expectations and careful medical supervision.
