Testosterone May Not Improve Menopausal Brain Fog, Study Suggests

Claims circulating on social media that testosterone can alleviate brain fog and memory problems in menopausal women may be unfounded, according to a review of existing studies. The research, conducted by experts at University College London (UCL), suggests there is not enough evidence to support these assertions.

The review, published in the journal Reproduction and Fertility, examined five studies that investigated the impact of testosterone on learning and memory in post-menopausal women. Across these studies, 244 volunteers with an average age of 57 received either a placebo or testosterone for periods ranging from four to 26 weeks. The findings revealed no significant improvements in cognitive function among those who took testosterone.

Researchers cautioned that the current data is insufficient to definitively establish an effect, rather than proving an absence of effect. "Social media is flooded with claims that testosterone improves memory and brain fog, and we hear of many women taking testosterone specifically to manage these symptoms during the menopause," said Professor Aimee Spector, a senior author of the study. "While there may be some anecdotal evidence for this in perimenopausal women, we cannot claim testosterone improves cognition during menopause without further evidence."

Dr. Alexandra Faulkner, from UCL's division of psychology and language sciences, noted that the available evidence is limited and insufficient to determine the effect of testosterone therapy on cognition in women during and after menopause. She added, "This reflects a lack of sufficient evidence rather than evidence of no effect."

In addition to cognitive concerns, the UCL team also noted that testosterone levels do not appear to change sharply during menopause, but rather decline gradually from a woman's mid-20s or early 30s. Approximately 13 million women in the UK are estimated to be peri- or menopausal.

The NHS currently states that testosterone gel or cream may help improve low libido for some women experiencing menopause. Meanwhile, experts at Cardiff University are conducting a trial, expected to conclude in 2029, to investigate whether adding testosterone to standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reduce menopausal symptoms beyond its effects on libido, including impacts on cognition, exercise, and energy levels. This trial involves 400 women.