Why I wouldn’t be without testosterone

Author

Wellbeing Team

28 June, 2026
Why I wouldn’t be without testosterone

Struggling with brain fog and poor focus? Liz explains how declining hormones can affect cognitive function during perimenopause and menopause and tackles common misconceptions around hormone therapy. She also talks about her own experience with testosterone and mental clarity.

Plus: Ways to treat skin hyper-pigmentation, what to do if you can’t get an HRT referral, diet tweaks after gall-bladder surgery and dealing with restless leg syndrome.

Stream the episode below, or download the recording via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

  

4 surprising ways testosterone can manage midlife symptoms

If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why, struggled to find the right word or felt less mentally sharp than you used to, your hormones might be to blame.

During perimenopause and menopause, many women experience changes in memory, concentration and focus. And while supplements, exercise and healthy lifestyle habits can be incredibly supportive, they can’t replace hormones that are no longer being produced in the same quantities.

The role of hormones

When it comes to managing midlife symptoms, oestrogen is often the starting point. Body-identical oestrogen restores levels, which can deliver relief from hot flushes, low mood, disturbed sleep and lack of focus.

However, testosterone levels also decline with age. While it is often thought of as a male hormone, women naturally produce it too – and can experience the impact when it starts to deplete.

Beyond libido

Current evidence focuses on the use of testosterone in menopausal women experiencing low sexual desire. However, many menopause specialists and clinicians report seeing wider benefits in practice, Liz explains.

More recent research shows improvements in energy, motivation and cognitive function. This is because testosterone isn’t limited to sexual organs – there are testosterone receptors in the brain, muscles, heart, skin and bladder. So declining levels can produce all sorts of symptoms, from brain fog to reduced muscle strength.

For Liz, the impact of topping up her testosterone has been significant. “I would not have the sharpness of mind such as I have without testosterone,” she says.

And while experiences vary from woman to woman, growing numbers report feeling more focused and mentally resilient after adding testosterone to their hormone treatment plan.

Separating fact from fear

One of the biggest barriers to treatment can be misinformation, Liz points out. She highlights that current menopause guidance suggests that transdermal testosterone does not appear to increase cancer risk, although long-term research remains limited.

The key is having a discussion with a knowledgeable healthcare professional rather than making decisions based on outdated evidence. And if midlife symptoms are having a negative impact on your daily life, it’s not something you simply have to put up with, says Liz.

If you’re struggling to access support through your GP, don’t be afraid of seeking a second opinion or consulting a menopause specialist. “You deserve an informed and balanced conversation rather than fear-based medicine, and there are definitely options for you.”

Also in this episode:

  • Can testosterone cause cancer?
  • How to help with restless leg syndrome
  • Adapting your diet after gall bladder surgery
  • What to do if you have high levels of lipoprotein
  • Treating skin hyperpigmentation on a budget
  • How to find informed menopause support

Links mentioned in the episode:

Get in touch with a question for Liz:

More from Liz:

Some links may be affiliate links, which help support the show at no extra cost to you. Read our Affiliate Policy for more information.