Did you know women make testosterone too, and that it starts quietly declining in your 20s?
Maybe you used to juggle work, kids, and everything in between without thinking twice. Now you're exhausted in a way sleep doesn't fix, you don't feel like yourself, and you can't remember the last time you actually wanted to have sex. If that's you, you're not alone, and most women have never even heard that testosterone could be part of the answer.
In this episode, Dr. Ade Akindipe, DNP, breaks down what testosterone actually does for women in perimenopause and menopause and what to ask before starting it. That decline can become part of the conversation around libido, energy, muscle, and overall hormone health. Fresh from a hormone and metabolic health conference in Miami, she covers the real research behind testosterone for desire, energy, mood, and more, plus the FDA's first-ever public meeting on testosterone for women and what it does and doesn't mean for you right now.
💡 In this episode, we cover:
- Why testosterone matters for women during perimenopause and menopause
- What testosterone can actually help with
- Total testosterone vs. free testosterone
- When vaginal estrogen may be more appropriate
- What testosterone may and may not do for energy, brain fog, mood, muscle, and weight
- How sleep, stress, medications, thyroid, iron, blood sugar, and alcohol can affect libido
- Testosterone side effects women should know about
- How testosterone is safely prescribed and monitored, including topical options and why pellets aren't always the first choice
- Common side effects to know about testosterone and why careful dosing matters
- The latest FDA discussion around testosterone for women
- Myths vs. facts about testosterone for women
⏱️ Chapters:00:01 Intro
03:28 The FDA public comment period on testosterone for women
05:51 Do women actually need testosterone?
08:12 Why there's no magic testosterone number
10:38 What the research says about testosterone and libido
13:00 Testosterone vs. vaginal estrogen
15:23 What testosterone may help with beyond libido
17:50 What we know and don't know about long-term safety
20:10 Ruling out other causes before reaching for testosterone
22:28 How testosterone is prescribed, monitored, and adjusted
23:57 Common side effects and why careful dosing matters
24:55 What actually happened at the FDA's public meeting
27:18 Myths vs. facts about testosterone for women
🔗 Resources / Links
If this episode helped you, share it with a woman in your life who's been quietly wondering about testosterone but didn't know where to start. And make sure to follow the podcast for more conversations around perimenopause, menopause, hormones, metabolism, libido, and women's health.
Note: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with your provider before starting or changing any hormone therapy.
What is The Elevated Woman's Podcast?
For high-performing women who are exhausted by weight gain, hormonal chaos, and vanishing energy — this is your reset. I’m Dr. Ade Akindipe, a DNP, obesity + hormone specialist, and health coach.
On this show, we demystify metabolism, gut health, hormone balance, longevity, and the root-cause mindset behind lasting transformation.
If you’re ready to stop fighting your body and start living with more clarity, energy, and confidence — this is your space.