Testosterone Levels Decline with Age, Not Menopause

Menopause is a time of significant hormonal changes in a woman's life. The most well-known of these is the decline in estrogen levels, which can cause hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. However, there is a common misconception that menopause also causes a decline in testosterone levels. This myth has been perpetuated by social media and some health professionals, leading some women to believe they need to increase their testosterone levels as part of hormone replacement therapy (MHT).

However, new research published in The Lancet journal eBioMedicine has found that testosterone levels do not change at menopause. Instead, they decline gradually with age. The study, which examined the blood testosterone levels of 1,104 participants aged 40 to 69 years, found that the average decline in testosterone between the ages of 40 and 58-59 years was around 25%. Furthermore, the research found that testosterone levels subtly increased from the age of 58-59 years, echoing previous studies.

The study's lead author, Dr. Susan Davis, Chair of Women's Health at Monash University, notes that the research refutes the belief that menopause causes testosterone deficiency. "Our research shows that testosterone is not lacking in menopausal women," she says. "Therefore, there is no need to include testosterone in hormone replacement therapy."

The study also found that postmenopausal women who had both ovaries surgically removed had lower blood testosterone levels than postmenopausal women with at least one ovary. This provides additional evidence that women's ovaries continue to be the source of some testosterone after menopause.

Dr. Davis emphasizes that the findings are changes that occur on average, and not everyone will experience the same changes with age. Some might experience more or less change in testosterone levels. The study has enabled the researchers to build a picture of testosterone changes across a woman's lifespan, with levels decreasing by around 50% from about age 20 to about age 60, and then subtly increasing.

The research has implications for testosterone therapy, which has been proposed for menopausal women to alleviate symptoms such as low libido and decreased muscle mass. However, the study notes that there is currently no robust or consistent evidence that testosterone therapy will improve any symptoms for women other than low sexual desire after menopause. Therefore, testosterone should only be prescribed for low sexual desire in postmenopausal women.

Key Takeaways:

• Testosterone levels decline with age, not menopause
• The average decline in testosterone between the ages of 40 and 58-59 years was around 25%
• Testosterone levels subtly increased from the age of 58-59 years
• Postmenopausal women who had both ovaries surgically removed had lower blood testosterone levels than postmenopausal women with at least one ovary
• The study refutes the belief that menopause causes testosterone deficiency
• Testosterone should only be prescribed for low sexual desire in postmenopausal women
• The research has implications for testosterone therapy and its potential benefits and limitations

Statistics:

• The average decline in testosterone between the ages of 40 and 58-59 years was around 25%
• Testosterone levels decreased by around 50% from about age 20 to about age 60
• Testosterone levels subtly increased from the age of 58-59 years
• Postmenopausal women who had both ovaries surgically removed had lower blood testosterone levels than postmenopausal women with at least one ovary
• The study examined the blood testosterone levels of 1,104 participants aged 40 to 69 years

Sources:

• Susan Davis, Chair of Women's Health, Monash University
• YuanYuan Wang, researcher
• The Lancet journal eBioMedicine
• Testosterone levels decline with age, not menopause, despite what you've heard -- https://theconversation.com/testosterone-levels-decline-with-age-not-menopause-despite-what-youve-heard-267744