Latest news with #hormoneReplacementTherapy
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Why we need testosterone products designed for women
Menopause is something nearly every woman will go through. As fertility ends, levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop significantly – changes that can deeply affect physical health, emotional wellbeing and everyday life. For many, the effects of this hormonal shift are more than frustrating – they can be life altering. Symptoms like brain fog, hot flushes, night sweats, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, joint pain, low libido, anxiety, depression and even bone loss from osteoporosis are all common. Read more: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has helped many women manage these symptoms – but one key hormone is often overlooked in both treatment and conversation: testosterone. Testosterone is typically viewed as a 'male hormone,' but it plays a crucial role in women's health too. In fact, women have higher levels of testosterone than either oestrogen or progesterone for most of their adult lives. And like the other sex hormones, testosterone also declines with age – with consequences that are only now being fully explored. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is now widely used to replace oestrogen and progesterone during and after menopause. These treatments – available as tablets, patches, gels and implants – are regulated, evidence-based and increasingly accessible through the NHS. But when it comes to testosterone, the situation is entirely different. Currently, there are no testosterone products licensed for use by women in the UK or Europe. The only exception is in Australia, where a testosterone cream specifically designed for women is available. Europe once had its own option – a transdermal patch called Intrinsa, designed and approved by regulators based on clinical evidence to treat low libido in women with surgically induced menopause. But the manufacturer withdrew product in 2012, citing 'commercial considerations' in their letter to the European Medicines Agency, the agency in charge of the evaluation and supervision of pharmaceutical products in Europe. Since then, women across Europe have been left without an approved option. In the absence of licensed treatments, some clinicians – mainly in private practice – are prescribing testosterone 'off label', often using products developed for men. These are typically gels or creams with dosages several times higher than most women need. While doctors may advise on how to adjust the dose, this kind of improvisation comes with risks: inaccurate dosing, inconsistent absorption and a lack of long-term safety data. Some women report significant improvements – not just in libido, but also in brain fog, mood, joint pain and energy levels. However, the only proven clinical benefit of testosterone in women is in improving sexual desire for those with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) following surgical menopause. Even so, interest is growing – fuelled by patient demand, celebrity use, social media buzz and a growing sense that testosterone may be a missing piece in midlife women's care. While there is increasing consensus that testosterone can play a role in supporting women's health, the current situation presents two serious problems: Safety and regulation: without licensed products, standardised dosing guidelines, or long-term safety data, off-label use puts both patients and clinicians in uncertain territory. Access and inequality: testosterone therapy is rarely available through the NHS and is often only accessible through private clinics, creating a two-tier system. Those who can pay hundreds of pounds for consultations and prescriptions can access care, while others are left behind. There are signs of change. For example, I founded Medherant, a University of Warwick spin-out company that is currently developing a testosterone patch designed specifically for women. It's in clinical trials and, if approved, could become the first licensed testosterone product for women in the UK in over a decade. It's a much-needed step – and one that could pave the way for further innovation and broader access. But the urgency remains. Millions of women are currently going without effective, evidence-based care. In the meantime, off-label prescribing should used with care and use based on the best available science – not hype or anecdote – and delivered through transparent, regulated healthcare channels. Women deserve more than workarounds. They deserve treatments that are developed for their bodies, rigorously tested, approved by regulators and accessible to all – not just the few who can afford private care. When half the population is affected, this isn't a niche issue. It's a priority. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. David Haddleton works for and owns shares in Medherant Ltd
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadian Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Nicole Williams English says she was 'literally crawling out of bed' before starting treatment for low testosterone
Nicole Williams English is back to feeling like herself again. The 41-year-old Canadian model recently told Yahoo Canada that she's prioritizing her health by working out regularly, eating healthfully and continuing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for low testosterone. Williams English, who appears in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, said she began noticing she was extremely run down when her daughter, India Moon, was about 18 months old. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. 'I would get 10 hours of sleep and wake up feeling like I had one-and-a-half hours of sleep. I couldn't open my eyes. I was dizzy, I wasn't feeling myself,' she said. "…I was very moody. I was snapping at everybody in the morning. I wasn't depressed, but I was just kind of mad. Angry at everything. Everything was a catastrophe for me… I was having really bad anxiety.' Williams English's husband, retired NFL player Larry English, put her in touch with a doctor based in Florida who ordered bloodwork and a full hormone panel. The results showed that she was low in testosterone, and would require daily medication to help balance her testosterone levels. 'I thought I would just go to (the pharmacy), get my iron pills, get my D3, but no. Until I did a deep dive and they really looked at my blood, I never would have known," she said. "I was literally crawling out of bed. I was really, really exhausted." Now that Williams English has found a dosage that works for her, she has the energy to keep up with a toddler and continue to grow her career. But what is HRT and how do you know if you have low testosterone? Keep reading to learn more. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is more than just a treatment option for women in menopause. Although HRT gained popularity in the '90s as a form of treatment to help lessen menopause symptoms — which greatly impact a woman's quality of life — its uses are not limited to treating brain fog, hot flashes and other side effects from low estrogen and progesterone. HRT can also be used for women with low testosterone levels. But it's not as straightforward as it may seem. 'Testosterone is a really important hormone in women… but it is one that has been poorly studied and really only focused on niche areas like libido and sexuality,' said Dr. Michelle Jacobson, an OBGYN and co-founder of Coven Women's Health, in an interview with Yahoo Canada. While testosterone does impact women's libido, it also impacts things like mood, energy levels and bone and muscle health, as well as menstrual cycle and fertility. Symptoms of low testosterone in women can include: Decreased libido Anxiety Depression Fatigue Irritability Trouble sleeping Thinning hair Muscle weakness Jacobson, who did not treat Williams English, explained that the lack of quality information and evidence makes it difficult to measure and understand lower levels of testosterone in women, since women already naturally have lower testosterone levels than men. Without sufficient research, there's a gap in understanding what testosterone levels in women mean for their functioning and how they feel. 'We're left with many years of kind of poor evidence that don't really answer the questions that we should have been asking,' Jacobson said. 'So we don't have strong evidence to direct the use of testosterone one way or another.' Although there are currently no Health Canada approved testosterone medications for women in Canada and no federally approved testosterone drugs for women in the U.S., Jacobson said healthcare providers can repurpose and prescribe testosterone medications that are approved for men at much lower doses. HRT for testosterone can be in the form of gels and creams, injections, implanted pellets or oral medications. Although there are benefits to using testosterone HRT for women, there can also be side effects. Potential side effects can include: Acne Oily skin Excess hair growth Weight gain Male pattern baldness Although some side effects are reversible with hormone level adjustment, there are some like deepening of the voice or clitoral enlargement that are permanent. Blood tests can help determine if your hormone levels are low, however Jacobson noted it's important for healthcare providers to consider the patients symptoms and the potential benefits of testosterone HRT. "We really need to figure out a way to meet in the middle in order to attend to not only the patients needs but their quality of life," she said. "So much of medicine ignores quality of life and focuses on what is medically necessary or indicated or contraindicated, but that informs a big part of function and compliance and well being." There are many reasons why women can have low testosterone levels. Testosterone levels naturally begin to drop as women age, particularly around early menopause. However, certain medications, like birth control and acne medications or medications for hair loss can also lower the body's level of free testosterone (testosterone not attached to protein). Women who have had their ovaries surgically removed or who live with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also have lower levels of testosterone. There are multiple factors that impact testosterone levels, including lifestyle factors like poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, prolonged stress, substance abuse, alcohol use and smoking. Outside of taking hormone supplements, Jacobson said there are things women can do to help naturally raise testosterone levels. "Things that you can do to help improve your testosterone are to build more muscle mass and eat more protein," she said. "It's sort of a positive reinforcement feedback loop, and that's just outside of taking exogenous (external) testosterone."
