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Microdosing Testosterone

Medically reviewed by Paul Gonzales on February 16, 2024.

Microdosing testosterone is an approach to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) that involves taking low doses of testosterone either to produce the desired physical changes either indefinitely or for a short period of time. Microdosing testosterone HRT can provoke subtler or more gradual changes in the body that are considered conventionally masculinizing: a deeper tone of voice, increased hair growth (on the face, chest and other parts of the body), a redistribution of fat and more.

In this article, we will go over common reasons why patients choose to microdose, common dosage options, how microdosing affects surgical eligibility and real-life testimonies about receiving treatment. While microdosing testosterone is a common topic of discussion amongst the non-binary community, this approach helps ease dysphoria for those who identify within the binary as well. Learn more about how to access testosterone here.

Please note that this page is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The Gender Confirmation Center only performs gender affirming surgery and does not prescribe hormones to patients. Going on hormones or changing your hormone dose or regimen can carry a variety of risks, which is why it should only be done under the guidance of a medical provider who specializes in gender-affirming care.

Why microdose? 

As a method of HRT, testosterone impacts someone’s secondary sex characteristics. In this context, secondary sex characteristics are the changes to the body during adolescent puberty that can be altered during hormone replacement therapy or HRT. To learn more about what secondary sex characteristics are and/or what changes to expect while taking testosterone for HRT, visit UCSF’s guide to masculinizing hormone therapy.

While taking “standard” doses of testosterone (see information on dosage below), the changes to secondary sex traits can happen quickly and will eventually reach a maximal effect. On lower doses of testosterone, the physical changes are more subtle and occur gradually. Microdosing can be an ideal way to administer testosterone for masculine-spectrum non-binary and gender expansive patients who might want to achieve more subtle or gradual changes to their bodies without a drastic adjustment. Specifically, microdosing testosterone is often sought out as a treatment option for the following reasons:

• Initial low dose: In general, hormone therapy begins with a low dose and is gradually increased depending on the patient’s response to hormones or desired changes.