io9
Although thousands of women take estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) to avoid the unpleasantness of menopause, study after study has shown that ERT may shorten life. But today researchers announced results from a study of testosterone therapy that suggested the substance known as T may become a crucial ingredient in post-menopausal drug cocktails of the future.
Taking testosterone actually strengthens bones weakened by the natural aging process, a process that is accelerated after women go through menopause. Could testosterone be the new wonder drug women have been looking for? In a release, the researchers said:
Testosterone administration appears to reduce bone turnover, perhaps closing the gap between resorption and formation . . . and the effects of testosterone on long-term bone metabolism are unclear, but are expected to have at least a protective effect on existing bone mass over time by preventing unwanted increases in bone turnover that are frequently associated with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is often associated with high bone turnover (increases in bone resorption as well as in bone formation) which results in decreased BMD.So far, testosterone has only been tested in men over 60. But given that women over 60 suffer more from osteoporosis than men do, will testing on women be far behind?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy Beneficial [Eurekalert]
Comments
Hmmm, doesn't seem like it would be a cure for the excessive facial hair that one tends to grow during menopause.
Riiight. No more hot flashes, or George Michael-like facial stubble. It's a toss up!
Jeez, shell out for some frakkin laser hair removal why doncha.
Mood swing meets roid-rage?
kp
Hey, what's a little bit of chin hair in trade for some extra muscles and sex drive. Sounds like fun. Not to mention the whole bones not breaking thing.
Bring it on.
Well, bring it on in 15 years or so.
Hormone replacement for elders of any gender always seemed like a really messy kludge to me. Reminds me how f***ing primitive our medicine really is. Rather depressing to read about really.
Wake me when some real progress on the cure for aging happens.
I want to know what Taxbaby thinks about this.
Hm- facial hair or lower body fat. Conundrum!
So my hotflashing mom turns into HulkSMASH(!)? No thanks, Science. Come back when you have a better idea.
(I'm relying on the hope that in the 30 years till when I need HRTs they will have worked the bugs out.)
And a clit the size of your little finger.
@KernelPanic: Honestly, I don't think we could have told the difference between them, with my mom. You wouldn't like her when she's angry...
I swear by it. And sometimes because of it.
If history is any indicator, testing on women is always far behind, sadly. What they will likely do is test extensively on men and then stupidly indicate it for women
@thatgirlinnewyork:
yes, also, there's really NO indication that this will work for women. even the current study states it in the first line - there is a correlation between LOW ESTROGEN and osteoporosis in WOMEN and LOW TESTOSTERONE and osteoporosis in men.
estrogen has been DEFINITIVELY established has having a positive affect on bone growth (favoring building rather than breaking down). testosterone is converted to estrogen by fat. it's possible that, in these men, administering T just results in more secondary production of estrogen. bringing us right back around.
that said, a little T can be good for the post-menopausal sex drive. but it also causes balding, immunosuppression, and, yes, increased body hair. oh, and acne.
Even if testosterone is beneficial, why is the logical conclusion always some wonder-drug we'll need to start taking?
Do you know what else increases testosterone levels and improves bone density in older women (and most people in general)? A little bit of weight training.
I'm not suggesting we all grab a protein shake and go body-building pro, but if I have to choose between giving my money to drug companies and doing a bit more weights-based exercise, I'll choose the latter. My boyfriend's mother got a whole lot healthier when she ditched her aqua aerobics in favour of bicep curls. She also got a whole lot of crap for not doing more 'ladylike' exercise. Sad.
I'm not sure this is really news. My mom, who had the menopause from hell in the 80s, took some synthetic male hormones to help balance out the effects of the progesterone (or is it progestins?) she was also taking.
is there a cure for testosterone yet? i'm kind of tired of wanting to murder or f*ck everything i see.
@DSTRYA:
That's not a bug, it's a feature.
HUMANS: STOP TAKING FUCKING HOROMONES. IT IS NOT HEALTHY. EVER. AT ALL.
is it sad that i already knew this from watching an episode of "the new adventures of old christine" ?
@runintoflowers:
Credentials for giving such advice?
I got your testosterone right here baby! **suggestive grabbing motion**
And with that, I sink slowly back into internet cliche land.
Will we have to wait forty years for them to do cancer studies, the way we did with estrogen replacement?
@Cacafuego: But at least guys would be able to find it.
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