Testosterone for women | Professor Susan Davis, AO

54 snips

Aug 25, 2025

Professor Susan Davis, an esteemed endocrinologist and expert on women's hormonal health, dives into the often-misunderstood role of testosterone. She clarifies that testosterone is not just a male hormone and discusses how its levels fluctuate throughout a woman's life. The conversation debunks common myths about testosterone therapy, particularly its impact on libido and sexual function. Susan also highlights the importance of accurate hormone measurement and the need for more research and clinical trials to enhance women's health.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Testosterone Is Crucial In Women

Testosterone is not exclusively a male hormone and plays key roles in female reproduction and systemic tissue function.
Sex steroids are dynamic: tissues convert testosterone and estrogen locally, so blood levels alone are incomplete measures.

ANECDOTE

Early Blinded Study Changed Perspective

Susan Davis described running the first blinded study comparing estrogen alone versus estrogen plus testosterone in a menopause clinic.
She found testosterone improved sexual function and did not worsen cholesterol, which surprised her.

INSIGHT

Testosterone Rises In Very Old Age

Testosterone generally declines from age 20 to 60 but subtly rises again after about age 70.
This late-life rise may reflect changing tissue enzyme activity, not increased adrenal output.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In today’s episode, I sit down with Professor Susan Davis, an endocrinologist and one of the world’s foremost experts on hormones in women’s health. We explore the role of testosterone in women, separating fact from fiction, and tackling the common myths that circulate online and in the media.

Susan shares what decades of research actually show about testosterone therapy, its benefits, limitations, and safety, and why participation in clinical trials is essential for moving the science forward.

What We Cover

Why testosterone is not just a male hormone
How levels change throughout a woman’s life
Common myths about testosterone therapy and the truth behind them
The link between testosterone, libido, and sexual function
Evidence for and against claims around mood, muscle, and wellbeing
Side effects and safety considerations at female-appropriate doses
Compounded hormones compared with pharmaceutical formulations
The biggest gaps in research and where the science needs to go next

This episode offers an evidence-based look at testosterone in women, helping you cut through the noise and focus on what the science really says.

Intro: (00:00)
Which Testosterone Claims Are True And Which Are False? (05:42)
What Does Testosterone Do In A Woman’s Body? (12:09)
How Do Testosterone Levels Change Across A Woman’s Life? (15:12)
How Can Women Measure Testosterone Accurately? (20:24)
What Is The Relationship Between Testosterone And Low Libido? (27:32)
What Are The Outcomes And Dosing Of Testosterone Therapy? (32:24)
Which Delivery Methods Work Best For Testosterone Therapy? (39:22)
Does Testosterone Improve Muscle Mass Or Mood? (43:46)
What Are The Safety Considerations For Testosterone Therapy? (47:15)
Compounded Versus Pharmaceutical Testosterone Therapy (52:02)
Research Gaps In Testosterone And How Women Can Help (58:09)

This episode is brought to you by:

38TERA

Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.

Pique Tea

Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon.

Eight Sleep

Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping.

Fireflies

Stay focused and let Fireflies handle the notes. From transcriptions and summaries to real-time voice commands, Fireflies turns your meetings into actionable insights, seamlessly integrating with Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and more. Sign up for a yearly plan and get two months FREE at fireflies.ai/theproof.

Function Health

Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States.

LMNT

Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked.

Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)

Subscribe & Connect: