Posted on 02/09/2022 9:00:10 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A study has challenged the view that testosterone is bad for women's hearts, showing that for women aged over 70, having low testosterone levels actually doubles the risk of a cardiac event.
Researchers say the findings warrant further research into the potential benefits of testosterone therapies for older women.
Before menopause, women's ovaries are the primary source of testosterone circulating in the blood. After menopause, because the ovaries stop functioning, blood testosterone is made from the hormone DHEA which comes from adrenal glands.
Using data captured in the longitudinal ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) randomized trial, this study, led by Susan Davis, Professor of women's health, measured blood testosterone, DHEA and estrogen concentrations in women over 70 with no prior CVD events. Women who had low blood testosterone and DHEA concentrations but not low estrogen, had twice the risk of a cardiovascular event than women with higher testosterone blood levels.
Blood testosterone levels decrease with age in women from their early 20s but do not change significantly as a result of natural menopause. However, after the age of 70 years, women have blood testosterone levels similar to those seen in young premenopausal women.
Professor Davis says the findings suggest there might be some advantage to older women having high testosterone levels.
"We have shown in past studies that testosterone therapy lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow in arteries. So our hypothesis was that having higher testosterone may protect older women from cardiovascular disease, which is contrary to the conventional belief that testosterone is bad for the cardiovascular system," Professor Davis said.
"We need to stop thinking about testosterone as a 'male' hormone that is bad for women. It is an important human hormone for both women and men.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
This article is missing something-at least the part I read. These women-are they or are they not horny? A young boyfriend just may be all the doctor ordered. Ask Tina Turner.
Testosterone in women is low compared with men, but for them it’s normal.
But when they take estrogen replacement, it brings the testosterone level even lower.
You want to talk about thankless medical professional jobs?
Try being an Endocrinologist.
Proper treatment is always a delicate balancing act, taking the patient, age, physical condition, attitude and daily routines into consideration. I personally have little direct knowledge of the specialty.
I have always heard a good Endocrinologist will start treatment with the smallest dose possible that is capable of making desired changes or maintaining desired conditions.
Beware of anyone advising you to take a large amount of anything new to you. This includes using certain plants, pollens and preparations of items found in nature.
Know your own allergies.
Great advice. My wife says “Listen to your body.”
She’s outlived everybody on her side of the family (by many years).
Well let’s not forget: estrogen identifies as testosterone in women who identify as men.
This info makes me glad I survived menopause using supplements like Vitamin E, not estrogen. As an 83 year old widow I’m glad I have a new partner (for the past 15 years) to share my love with. He sometimes complains that I am an alpha female, but I’m going to tell him that I probably have decent testosterone levels, and will probably continue a long life with no heart diseas. From reading this article it appears my normal blood pressure and moderately high cholesterol also may be related.
People who have a blood vitamin d level of 32 ng/ml have higher testosterone than people with higher or lower levels.
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