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Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exercise
Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exercise

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7.3 Testosterone

Testosterone is another hormone whose levels can also be affected in menopause. Testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands and is important for the function of the reproductive system. At menopause levels of testosterone can fall but this doesn’t happen to everyone; indeed, the production of androgens, of which testosterone is one, can actually increase.

Activity 3 Testosterone

Timing: Allow 15 minutes

Take a look at Video 3 from the British Menopause Society in which Dr Nick Panay talks about the role of testosterone in the female body and the effects of supplementation.

Video 3 Testosterone explained (Please note The Open University is not responsible for third party content.)
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Then answer the following questions:

  1. What is the effect of low testosterone levels?
  2. What are the potential side effects of testosterone replacement
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Discussion

  1. When testosterone levels fall, this can result in lowering of libido (sex drive) and sexual function, as well as changes in body composition and bone density, mood and energy levels.
  2. In some people taking testosterone, it can produce excess hair growth, acne and an increase in weight.

Lack of libido and impaired sexual function can be a very distressing symptom, as it affects not only the sufferer, but also their intimate relationships. Testosterone is sometimes prescribed – in the form of a cream – for some people with low sex drive in menopause. For those who can benefit from it, testosterone can ‘change everything for the better’ (Gluck and Edgson, 2010, p. 165) through its impact not only in improving libido and sexual function, but also because it can improve bone density and muscle tone, enhance mood, energy, mental clarity, confidence and assertiveness, and also improve heart and liver health (Henpicked, 2018).

Some worry about the unwanted side effects that can be associated with an excess of testosterone, for example, increased hair growth of bodily and facial hair, greasy skin and acne, and a lowered voice. However, excess testosterone is unusual in females (Mansberg, 2020; Burrell et al., 2014), and for this reason and its effectiveness in improving libido, it can be prescribed by menopause specialists (it is currently unlicensed in the UK for this use, so GPs cannot prescribe it) (Newson, 2019).