Taking testosterone won’t ease menopause brain fog, say scientists

Testosterone has not been shown to ease menopause brain fog, scientists have warned, despite widespread claims on social media that it does.

A review found no statistically significant improvements in learning or memory among women taking the hormone, despite growing interest in its use during menopause.

Experts said social media was “flooded” with claims about its benefits, with women seeking prescriptions specifically to tackle cognitive symptoms.

However, they stressed that the findings reflected a shortage of evidence, rather than proof that testosterone did not work.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) reviewed five studies involving 244 postmenopausal women, with an average age of 57.

Participants received either testosterone at varying doses or a placebo, with studies lasting between four and 26 weeks.

The review, published in Reproduction and Fertility, found insufficient evidence to establish whether the treatment improved cognition.

Prof Aimee Spector, senior author and director of the UCL Menopause Mind Lab, said women were taking the hormone to manage memory problems.

“Social media is flooded with claims that testosterone improves memory and brain fog,” she said.

“We hear of many women taking testosterone specifically to manage these symptoms during the menopause.

“While there may be some anecdotal evidence for this in perimenopausal women, we cannot claim testosterone improves cognition during menopause without further evidence.

“More research is needed to understand any links between testosterone and brain health.”

The researchers said prescriptions had “anecdotally increased across NHS and private clinics in the UK”, reflecting growing interest in testosterone during menopause.

Dr Alexandra Faulkner, the study’s corresponding author, said the available research was too limited to determine the hormone’s effect on cognition.

“This reflects a lack of sufficient evidence rather than evidence of no effect,” she said.

The findings leave unanswered whether women who report feeling clearer-headed on testosterone are experiencing a benefit that larger studies could confirm.

The review cannot establish whether the treatment helps women at earlier stages of the menopause.

Around 13 million women in Britain are estimated to be perimenopausal or menopausal.

Menopause occurs when periods change and eventually stop because of falling hormone levels.

However, the UCL researchers said testosterone levels were not thought to change abruptly during menopause.

Instead, they begin declining from a woman’s mid-20s to early 30s.

The NHS says testosterone gel or cream can help some women experiencing low libido during menopause and can be prescribed by a menopause specialist.

Researchers called for further work to establish whether the hormone could also help with cognitive symptoms.

A Cardiff University trial is examining whether adding testosterone to standard hormone replacement therapy can improve menopausal symptoms beyond its effects on libido.

The study will involve 400 women and is expected to conclude in 2029.

It aims to assess effects on cognition, exercise, motivation and energy levels.

Earlier this year, it emerged that women were posing as men to obtain testosterone prescriptions from online pharmacies.

Dr Michelle Olver, a menopause specialist, told the BBC she had seen women with up to 12 times the safe hormone level after online purchases.

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