Though many women are already aware that most perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms are due to the waning production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, not many are aware that testosterone also plays a significant role in both menopause and in women’s overall health. Here, MacArthur Medical Center shares some basics about testosterone that women need to know, no matter what their age.*

Women and testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is mainly produced in the testicles (if male) and ovaries (if female). This hormone is critical in the development and maintenance of muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive in people of all sexes. As with estrogen and progesterone, our natural testosterone levels recede as we get older, particularly during perimenopause and postmenopause, leading to some of the uncomfortable symptoms that many women experience during these periods of time, such as:

• Anxiety,
• Brain fog,
• Fatigue,
• Insomnia or other sleep disturbances, 
• Muscle loss and weakness, and
• Weight gain.

How could testosterone therapy help?

While estrogen and progesterone therapy can help with some of these symptoms, bringing your testosterone back up to your previous normal levels can help provide relief, as well, boosting the effectiveness of the other hormone supplementation. Some potential benefits of testosterone therapy include improved: 

• Cognitive function and mental clarity
• Muscle mass and strength
• Energy and mood
• Bone density, preventing osteoporosis
• Sex drive and ability to achieve orgasm

Testosterone also helps protect against cardiovascular disease, which women are at higher risk of developing, particularly after menopause.

How do menopausal women administer testosterone?

There are several ways that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women can administer testosterone therapy for symptom relief, depending on personal preference, which is most effective, and which will have the fewest disruptive side effects. Administration methods include:

• Creams or gels applied to the skin
• Injections, either under the skin or directly into muscle tissue
• Pellets implanted under the skin, which release the hormone over time
• Transdermal patches applied to the skin and worn for a specified period of time

Biodential compounded testosterone, made from plants and customized for each individual, can also be taken orally, either as sublingual drop or as lozenges, called troches (TROH-keez).

Are there risks to testosterone therapy?

As with any medication, there are potential side effects and risks to using testosterone supplementation, and particularly if it’s not used as directed by your healthcare provider. It should only be prescribed by a qualified medical professional, with the goal being to use the lowest dose that provides relief. 

Unpleasant side effects of testosterone therapy may include:

• Acne,
• Hair loss (from your head), and/or
• Body hair growth, especially localized growth if you’re using topical gels or creams

More serious health issues can involve increased risk of:

• Blood clots,
• Stroke, and
• Higher bad cholesterol.

Taking more testosterone than is necessary to bring you back to your previous natural levels can result in:

• Your voice getting deeper, 
• Your clitoris getting larger, and/or
• Your breasts getting smaller. 

Testosterone supplementation can also harm fetal development and is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

When discussing testosterone therapy with your doctor, make sure you let them know all other medications and supplements that you are taking, as testosterone can interact with diabetes drugs, blood thinners, and other medications. If you begin taking testosterone for menopause-related symptom relief, your doctor will likely want to monitor you closely for side effects and complications.

*Livingston, J. (2023, March 3). Testosterone Therapy: Can Women Boost Sex Drive, Energy, and Brain Function? MacArthur Medical Center Blog. Retrieved May 9, 2023 from https://macarthurmc.com/testosterone-therapy-can-women-boost-sex-drive-energy-and-brain-function/

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