Dr. Peter Attia

Let's talk a little bit about how we go about doing things. So there are two hormones we've talked a lot about, but there's a third that we haven't yet talked about that is very linked to these two hormones, doesn't get enough attention in women, and of course that's testosterone.

Let's talk a little bit about how we go about doing things. So there are two hormones we've talked a lot about, but there's a third that we haven't yet talked about that is very linked to these two hormones, doesn't get enough attention in women, and of course that's testosterone.

So before we get into how one should think about replacing hormones, can you talk about the relationship of testosterone to women's sexual health and what's happening to testosterone levels during this transition from peri to menopause? Because of course, I want to bring this into the HRT discussion.

So before we get into how one should think about replacing hormones, can you talk about the relationship of testosterone to women's sexual health and what's happening to testosterone levels during this transition from peri to menopause? Because of course, I want to bring this into the HRT discussion.

You've probably heard me make this point before because you alluded to it a few minutes ago. We measure testosterone in nanograms per deciliter. We measure estradiol in picograms per milliliter. If you normalize those to the same level, Women are shocked to learn that they have 10 times the amount of testosterone in their body that they do estradiol, at peak estradiol.

You've probably heard me make this point before because you alluded to it a few minutes ago. We measure testosterone in nanograms per deciliter. We measure estradiol in picograms per milliliter. If you normalize those to the same level, Women are shocked to learn that they have 10 times the amount of testosterone in their body that they do estradiol, at peak estradiol.

I think this is an area where women sometimes are also a bit concerned about what happens if I take testosterone because testosterone, understandably, conjures up images of all sorts of things from large muscles, big mustaches, lots of other things. So how do you talk to women about this? We enjoy having these discussions and also acknowledging side effects from

I think this is an area where women sometimes are also a bit concerned about what happens if I take testosterone because testosterone, understandably, conjures up images of all sorts of things from large muscles, big mustaches, lots of other things. So how do you talk to women about this? We enjoy having these discussions and also acknowledging side effects from

The most common side effect we see in women is acne. I don't think I've ever gotten to the point where I've seen any of the really dramatic side effects, but I do tell women, I say, look, there's a decent chance if you were shaving your legs every five days, you're going to be shaving them every three days. That's a chance.

The most common side effect we see in women is acne. I don't think I've ever gotten to the point where I've seen any of the really dramatic side effects, but I do tell women, I say, look, there's a decent chance if you were shaving your legs every five days, you're going to be shaving them every three days. That's a chance.

If you were kind of susceptible to acne growing up, you might get a little bit more of it and we'll have to back off. How do you talk about the risks of testosterone therapy?

If you were kind of susceptible to acne growing up, you might get a little bit more of it and we'll have to back off. How do you talk about the risks of testosterone therapy?

So let's just finish the swing on testosterone. Do you prefer then to rely on the topical version, which would be like an Androgel-type product, and just dose it at a much smaller dose?

So let's just finish the swing on testosterone. Do you prefer then to rely on the topical version, which would be like an Androgel-type product, and just dose it at a much smaller dose?

Hmm. That's an interesting question. I mean, I definitely agree that that's true for some people. That said, I've also seen people who within weeks report feeling better. Now, the challenge here, of course, is the only way you could understand this is through blinding. We just don't know how significant the placebo effect is. And therefore, it's hard for me to discount or know.

Hmm. That's an interesting question. I mean, I definitely agree that that's true for some people. That said, I've also seen people who within weeks report feeling better. Now, the challenge here, of course, is the only way you could understand this is through blinding. We just don't know how significant the placebo effect is. And therefore, it's hard for me to discount or know.

I want to ask you another question about Natesto. So Natesto, for the listener, is a nasal formulation. It's an FDA-approved formulation. In theory, it seems like a great idea. In practice, it has not really panned out just based on its messiness. It's a gel, a nasal gel. We've had women use it vaginally, nasally. What's your experience been with it?

I want to ask you another question about Natesto. So Natesto, for the listener, is a nasal formulation. It's an FDA-approved formulation. In theory, it seems like a great idea. In practice, it has not really panned out just based on its messiness. It's a gel, a nasal gel. We've had women use it vaginally, nasally. What's your experience been with it?

Why isn't a female formulation being made?

Why isn't a female formulation being made?