Testosterone fails as menopausal magic bullet

A new study involving women with early onset menopause found no detrimental effects from testosterone supplementation, but there were no significant improvements either; in quality of life, self esteem, or mood. “Bringing testosterone back up to normal may not bring them [menopausal women] the boost they hoped for,” the researchers report in the journal Menopause.

Previously, other studies looking at boosting testosterone for women who lose ovarian function, such as after natural menopause or hysterectomy, haven’t yielded consistent results. The new study focused on the 1 percent of women who undergo early onset (under 40) menopause.

The women in the study underwent a year of hormone therapy that included testosterone. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, 61 women used placebo patches and 67 women used patches that delivered 150 micrograms of testosterone a day, similar to the Intrinsa patch that was rejected by the FDA as a treatment for low libido in women.

After 12 months, testosterone levels were back up to normal for the women who got the treatment. The investigators say they saw no detrimental effects from testosterone, but they found no significant improvements either.

The new research suggests that it’s something other than testosterone that modulates mood in women with early onset menopause. But the researchers concede that there are still unknowns. The study didn’t measure depression and sexual function specifically. “Having some effect on desire may take raising testosterone to higher-than-normal levels, although that poses questions about safety,” say the researchers.

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Menopause – it’s a guy thing
Meta-review slams herbal remedies for menopausal women
Menopause Exclusively Human
Male menopause mostly mythical

Source: The North American Menopause Society

, , ,

Comments are closed.

Karen Rossi Silvestri Fanciful Flights Menopause Maven Ornament Hanging Decor picture

Karen Rossi Silvestri Fanciful Flights Menopause Maven Ornament Hanging Decor

$29.99



Alice Warder Seely Menopause Pin Ultimate Friendship Ladies Brooch picture

Alice Warder Seely Menopause Pin Ultimate Friendship Ladies Brooch

$12.49



LARGE LYDIA PINKHAM MENOPAUSE TABLETS ORIGINAL LABEL CONTENTS LYNN MASSACHUSETTS picture

LARGE LYDIA PINKHAM MENOPAUSE TABLETS ORIGINAL LABEL CONTENTS LYNN MASSACHUSETTS

$49.99



I've Changed Menopause The Musical Metal Pin Button picture

I've Changed Menopause The Musical Metal Pin Button

$2.95



Rare Vtg Vari Vue Ayerst laboratories PMB PREMARIN MENOPAUSE LENTICULAR AD  picture

Rare Vtg Vari Vue Ayerst laboratories PMB PREMARIN MENOPAUSE LENTICULAR AD

$12.95



Vintage  1970's photo / Mother Beat The Menopause Blues by Becoming a POOL SHARK picture

Vintage 1970's photo / Mother Beat The Menopause Blues by Becoming a POOL SHARK

$5.33



Menopause: A Comic Treatment picture

Menopause: A Comic Treatment

$26.72



Menopause: A Comic Treatment (Graphic Medicine): 19 picture

Menopause: A Comic Treatment (Graphic Medicine): 19

$20.99



MENOPAUSE MOMENTS NOVELTY JAR picture

MENOPAUSE MOMENTS NOVELTY JAR

$25.00



Dimenformon Benzoate Menopause Pharmaceutical Medicine Advertising Blotter VTG picture

Dimenformon Benzoate Menopause Pharmaceutical Medicine Advertising Blotter VTG

$3.39



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes