Testosterone therapy uses an artificial version of the testosterone hormone.
It's given to people for a number of reasons, including as a treatment for gender dysphoria in people who want to change how their body looks and works.
Testosterone can reduce breast tissue, stop periods, and make hair grow on your face.
Testosterone and fertility
It is not recommended to try and get pregnant if you are taking testosterone. This is because taking testosterone in pregnancy may affect the baby's development.
Taking testosterone can lower your fertility over time, so there may be a chance you will be unable to get pregnant.
Non-urgent advice: See your GP if:
- you are taking testosterone and you are thinking about getting pregnant
If you stop taking testosterone you’ll probably start to have periods until you do become pregnant. You may also notice changes in your body shape around your hips, chest and thighs.
You should not notice any changes to your tone of voice or facial hair.
If you get pregnant, you may experience changes in your mood, such as suddenly feeling very irritable or tearful. These are common in most pregnancies.
You may find being pregnant triggers feelings of gender dysphoria or other emotions that affect your mental wellbeing.
Switchboard the LGBT+ helpline are available to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Find out about mental health in pregnancy.
Important: Testosterone and contraception
It may be possible to get pregnant while taking testosterone.
It is important to use contraception to avoid getting pregnant.
Testosterone and pregnancy
Taking testosterone in pregnancy is not recommended.
Do not stop taking testosterone before talking with the doctor who is prescribing it for you.
Urgent advice: Contact the doctor who is prescribing your testosterone immediately if:
- you are taking testosterone and think you might be pregnant
Testosterone and chestfeeding
If you have taken testosterone in the past, or are currently taking it, then your milk supply may be affected depending on your dose. This can sometimes mean you are not able to chestfeed your baby.
If you can chestfeed and you also decide to start taking testosterone again your milk will have small amounts of testosterone in it. There is no evidence that this amount of testosterone will harm your baby.
If you do want to chestfeed and you are taking testosterone then you should talk to your GP or the doctor in charge of your care.
Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling any product containing testosterone as it can be passed through your baby’s skin.
Find out about chestfeeding.