Testosterone

“If you are considering testosterone therapy, talk to your doctor to gain a clear understanding of what is currently known about this therapy”.¹

Umbrella
What may the Testosterone Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Androgens

What are androgens?

DotS the definition of androgens may vary. The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“Androgens – – Often called “male hormones,” androgens are also produced in the female body as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), among others, but in much lower quantities than in men. Insufficient androgen levels at any age are thought to contribute to fatigue, mood changes, and lowered sex drive”.²

Androgens and Menopause

Is there an association between androgens and menopause?

The NAMS also explain:

“There is no dramatic change in androgen levels at menopause; androgen production seems to be affected more by aging, although women who have their ovaries removed (surgical menopause) sometimes experience a sharper drop in their levels of testosterone. Interestingly, testosterone has been found to increase again in older women”.³

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

What is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)?

DotS the definition of DHEA may vary. In Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopause Symptoms: Natural Products – DHEA the (United States) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s definition is:

Testosterone

What is testosterone?

DotS the definition of testosterone may vary. The Australian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“Testosterone is the male sex hormone found in smaller amounts in women. In women, increased levels of testosterone can lead to acne and can cause unwanted facial or body hair (hirsuitism). Low levels of testosterone in women may contribute to loss of libido and sometimes low mood and energy”.⁵

The NAMS’s definition is:

“Testosterone. The male androgen hormone that is essential for sperm production and responsible for inducing and maintaining male secondary sex characteristics. In women, testosterone (partially produced by the ovaries) may regulate sexual desire and may also help maintain bone and muscle health”.⁶

Testosterone’s Role

In women, what is the role of testosterone?

In Testosterone Replacement In Menopause: 2. What Is Its Role In Women? the British Menopause Society (BMS) elaborate on:

“Testosterone contributes to libido, sexual arousal and orgasm by increasing dopamine levels in the central nervous system. Testosterone also maintains normal metabolic function, muscle and bone strength, urogenital health, mood and cognitive function”.⁷

Women, Testosterone and Aging

In women, is there an association between testosterone and aging?

In What You Should Know About Testosterone for Midlife Women With Sexual Problems: How Does Testosterone Affect Female Sexual Desire? the NAMS elaborate on:

“The decline in testosterone in women is solely age related, not menopause related, and begins years before perimenopause”.⁸

Menopause Symptoms

Is there an association between testosterone and menopause symptoms?

In Testosterone for Women: Why Use Testosterone? the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:

“A low dose of testosterone can sometimes be beneficial at improving your energy, mood, concentration and also sex drive (or libido). It does not help everyone”.⁹

Menopause Libido

In women, can testosterone help with menopause loss of libido?

In Libido: Managing & Treating Low Libido – Testosterone Therapy (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) also note:

“Whether testosterone can help women with loss of libido continues to be debated”.¹⁰

In Low Sex Drive In Women: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Hormone Therapy the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Male hormones, such as testosterone, also play an important role in female sexual function, even though testosterone occurs in much lower amounts in women. It’s not approved by the FDA for sexual dysfunction in women, but sometimes it’s prescribed off-label to help lift a lagging libido. However, the use of testosterone in women is controversial. Taking it can cause acne, excess body hair, and mood or personality changes”.¹¹

What is FDA?

FDA may be an abbreviation for the (United States) Food and Drug Administration.

In Libido: Managing & Treating Low Libido – Testosterone Therapy the JH also explain:

In Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause: Key Points the AMS note:

Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women, 2019

What is the conclusion of the Global Consensus Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women?

The conclusion on page five in the first Global Consensus Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women – endorsed by 11 menopause-related organizations – published online 02 September 2019, is:

What is HSDD?

HSDD can be an abbreviation for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder/Dysfunction.

In International Consensus on Testosterone Treatment for Women the JH explain:

“They concluded that testosterone can be effective at improving sexual wellbeing for postmenopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Dysfunction (HSDD). Recognised benefits included improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and pleasure, together with reduced concerns and distress about sex”.¹⁵

Revised Global Consensus Statement on MHT, 2016

What is one of the points of consensus about testosterone therapy either alone or with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?

One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:

Europe

In Europe what testosterone products are approved for women?

In Androgens, Antidepressants and Other Drugs on Which the Jury’s Still Out: Androgen Therapy – Testosterone the NAMS elaborate on:

“The testosterone patch is approved in Europe for treating low sexual desire associated with distress in surgically menopausal women who are also on estrogen therapy, but the United States and Canada are waiting for further long-term safety data before deciding on approval”.¹⁷

United States

In the United States are any testosterone products approved for women?

In 2013, in What You Should Know About Testosterone for Midlife Women With Sexual Problems: Is There A Testosterone Product for Women? the NAMS explain:

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom what testosterone products are approved for women?

In Testosterone Replacement In Menopause: 9. What Are the Currently Available Options? the BMS explain what products are currently available.

Health Care Provider

What if I am considering testosterone therapy?

If you are considering testosterone therapy, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Menopause Management: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) – What Are the Risks of Testosterone Therapy? the JH elaborate on:

“If you are considering testosterone therapy, talk to your doctor to gain a clear understanding of what is currently known about this therapy. It is essential for women undergoing testosterone treatment to be supervised by doctors who are experts in this area”.¹⁹

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Topic Last Updated: 02 October 2019 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 September 2019