For decades, testosterone was treated as the hormone of men, linked with muscle, libido, and aggression. But women carry far more of it than most realise. It is the most abundant hormone in our bodies, subtly orchestrating energy, mood, and sexual function.
As Dr Kelly Casperson explained in our podcast episode together, “Testosterone is produced in the ovaries. Women have four times the amount of testosterone in their bodies than estrogen. We’ve stereotyped hormones. We’ve said men have testosterone, women have estrogen. That’s not true. We just have them in different amounts.”
This truth is sparking a quiet revolution in female hormone health. Testosterone is not just a man’s hormone- it’s the missing link for many women reclaiming their vitality.
The Decline You Don’t See Until You Feel It
Unlike estrogen, which drops off a cliff at menopause, testosterone declines gradually from our twenties. “Testosterone actually starts going down slowly after your 20s,” says Dr Casperson. “It can profoundly affect desire, libido.”
Beyond sexual desire, testosterone influences brain chemistry, helping regulate motivation, resilience, and cognitive clarity. “Testosterone works everywhere in the brain. Libido is a mood. So if we have good data that testosterone helps libido, it’s also true we have data that testosterone helps mood,” she explains.
The impact of restoring it can be life-changing. “When we just give women back what they previously had, they love it. They don’t want to stop,” Casperson says.
DHEA: The Hormone Behind the Hormone
Behind testosterone lies DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), an androgen made by the adrenal glands that converts into both testosterone and oestrogen. Like testosterone, DHEA peaks early and declines with age, contributing to fatigue, low mood, and loss of vitality.
Because it is a hormone, DHEA supplementation is only available on prescription in Australia. However, certain botanicals, most notably Tribulus terrestris, have been shown to naturally support DHEA production through compounds such as protodioscin. This is where tradition and science converge.
Tribulus: Ayurveda’s Ancient Secret for Reproductive Vitality
In Ayurveda, Tribulus terrestris has been revered for centuries as a reproductive tonic. Ancient texts describe it as “a tonic herb with a sweet post-digestive effect that nourishes the sukra dhatu, increasing virility, fertility, sperm production, and lactation.” Traditionally, it was used to rejuvenate the reproductive system, especially the uterus and gonads, and to treat infertility or impotence caused by blockages in reproductive tissue.
Modern science backs this up. Tribulus is rich in saponins and flavonoids, with protodioscin converting into DHEA, supporting testosterone pathways. Studies show it enhances libido, hormonal function, and even recovery from physical stress.
This botanical wisdom has now been woven into modern formulations designed to help restore balance, without prescription.
A Modern Take on Ancient Wisdom: Futurelab Testosterone Matrix
Futurelab’s Testosterone Matrix brings this herbal legacy into the modern age. The formula blends Bulgarian Tribulus, known for its high active compound content, with fenugreek (Testofen®), a clinically studied extract shown to support hormonal health, libido, and physical performance. Zinc is added to support reproductive and metabolic processes.
With the use of LipiSperse® technology, which improves the absorption of these lipophilic ingredients, the brand states that each dose is more potent and reliable. While the product is marketed primarily to men, its combination of traditional and evidence-backed ingredients resonates with women seeking accessible ways to support vitality and libido naturally. Available at Chemist Warehouse and MelroseFuturelab.com
Clinical Therapies: AndroFeme and Access for All
For women who require medical therapy, AndroFeme® 1% cream remains the gold standard. It is the only body identical, TGA-approved testosterone treatment formulated specifically for women, prescribed for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal patients.
Currently, AndroFeme sits outside the PBS, costing around $120 a tube. This November, it is under review and on the PBAC agenda for PBS listing, a move many clinicians see as critical for equitable access.
Dr Ceri Cashell, founder of Healthy Hormones and an advocate for this change, explains: “Many midlife women need all three hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, to function and feel like themselves again. AndroFeme can be the missing piece for many women. It’s safe, effective, and approved. But for most, it’s simply unaffordable.”
She adds, “Currently, men have nine testosterone products on the PBS, and women have none. It’s unacceptable that half the population is being left out of safe, regulated treatment.”
Another Tool in the Toolkit
While clinical creams like AndroFeme are the most precise way to restore female testosterone levels, nutraceutical options like Testosterone Matrix represent an accessible, over-the-counter pathway. By supporting DHEA production and androgen signalling through botanicals and zinc, it gives women an option to start gently, integrating supplementation into their wellness routines.The upside of all this is that way we talk about women’s health is changing. The menopause movement is bringing formerly taboo topics to the forefront and testosterone is no longer just the “male hormone”, it’s entered the conversation as the vitality hormone. Whether through ancient herbs like Tribulus, nutraceutical blends like Futurelab’s Testosterone Matrix, or TGA-approved creams like AndroFeme, women now have more choices than ever. Because every woman deserves tools that honour her biology and amplify her power. Listen to the full episode with Dr Kelly Casperson here.
