ORLANDO, Fla. — Menopause is a major but uncomfortable transition in a woman’s life, but who says you have to put up with hot flashes, fatigue, and brain fog? A new study explains that women could skip most menopausal symptoms by taking injections of testosterone.
“A lot of people think that testosterone treatments are only something men need, but it helps so many women feel better within days of treatment,” says Terrence Peppy, MD, the chief of obstetrics and gynecology for Orlando Health Physician Associates, in a media release. “They have more energy, they’re sleeping at night and they can get up and do things that they want to do.”
Doctors inject low-dose testosterone under the skin through a pellet. The treatment takes only a few minutes to complete. However, a new poll from Orlando Health finds it’s an option not many Americans know exists. The survey involved 2,048 adults, conducted between Feb. 16th and Feb. 21st, 2023.
When people were asked what could help with menopause, respondents often listed estrogen treatments, diet, and exercise. Testosterone treatments ranked last in terms of all the interventions for alleviating menopausal symptoms (12%).
Testosterone therapy helps with 9 common menopausal symptoms
These include hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, and decreased sex drive. The more popular estrogen therapy option only treats two of those symptoms. It works by releasing testosterone pellets into the bloodstream and provides relief from symptoms for about three to four months. Patients need to have a blood test beforehand to measure hormone levels and determine the right dosage.
“Testosterone pellets are a simple solution and are an option for virtually every patient regardless of their medical condition or history,” Peppy explains. “For many, easing symptoms improves their relationships with their partners, gives them energy to exercise and allows them to live their lives as they did before menopause.”
It’s important to note that testosterone therapy is not currently FDA-approved for use in women. However, there is growing research supporting the use and safety of testosterone. Additionally, other countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia have allowed testosterone therapy for women for over 60 years.
Laurie Lane is one of Dr. Peppy’s patients who has benefited from testosterone treatment. She came into the office complaining of sudden fatigue and brain fog and made the connection of these being related to menopause. Instead of accepting her fate and enduring these unpleasant symptoms, she asked Dr. Peppy for solutions.
“I was very surprised because I’d always heard about estrogen. I’d never heard about testosterone. And I think one of the big fallacies out there is that women should not be putting testosterone in their bodies,” describes Lane. “A lot of women just live with these terrible symptoms, but there’s something you can do, and everybody needs to know about it.”
Since starting testosterone pellet injections, Lane’s life has gone back to normal. She regularly runs again and says she feels better than she has in years.
That was definitely not my experience as a physician. Many years ago, I lived in a country in which testosterone was given to women who were depressed. After several treatments, they began to grow beards and lost hair the way men do. These side effects were irreversible and caused the women prolonged anguish.
No, I think no woman wants these permanent side effects.