For years, women entering menopause were often told to simply “ride it out.” Hot flashes, disrupted sleep, mood changes, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual desire, and changes in energy were frequently accepted as something women just had to live with.
We know more now
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can be an effective option for many women experiencing bothersome menopausal symptoms. Today, the conversation is less about whether hormones are simply “good” or “bad” and more about understanding who may benefit, which therapies and routes are appropriate, and how treatment should be individualized based on a woman’s symptoms, health history, risks, and goals.
And then there is testosterone
Testosterone in women has become one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—topics in menopause care. Women are asking about it for libido, energy, strength, body composition, cognition, and overall vitality. The science, however, is more nuanced than many headlines or social media posts suggest.
The strongest evidence for testosterone therapy in women is for appropriately selected postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Evidence for many of the other benefits commonly attributed to testosterone remains less certain. There is currently no FDA-approved testosterone product specifically formulated for women in the United States, and important questions remain about optimal dosing, delivery, monitoring, and long-term safety.
In September, the FDA convened a public workshop devoted specifically to testosterone use in menopausal women. Experts examined what we know—and what we still need to learn—about its effects on sexual function, cognition, mood, musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular health, and breast health.
This is why education matters
Beginning in November, Nutriamed is launching a Women’s Wellness Workshop Series designed to explore the questions women are already asking about their health. Our first conversation, “Testosterone for Women: Hype, Help or Harm?”, will take a closer look at what testosterone can—and cannot—do, potential benefits and risks, appropriate monitoring, and where the science still has unanswered questions.
And testosterone is only the beginning. Future conversations will explore hormones and
menopause, metabolism and weight, sexual health, sleep and brain health, muscle and bone
health, and healthy aging. The goal is simple: to give women a place to ask questions, understand the evidence, and make better-informed decisions about their health.
To learn more about this special series, visit: nutriamed.com or call (609) 415-2888.
About the Author
Sharie Hiller, MSN, CNM, is a seasoned women’s health provider specializing in menopause, hormone health, and intimacy medicine. After many years in OB/GYN and menopause care with Axia Women’s Health, she now works alongside Dr. Samar Bursheh and Nutriamed’s multidisciplinary team, including specialists in nutrition, fitness, and accountability coaching, to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care for women through midlife and beyond.
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