The Dr Louise Newson Podcast 50 - Testosterone and breaking the stigma
Mar 10, 2026
Dr Kelly Casperson, urologist and hormone health advocate who has worked on FDA discussions, talks about why testosterone matters for women’s brain health, energy, mood and sexual function. They unpack where testosterone is made and how it works at the cellular level. They also address research gaps, regulatory stigma, and how education and policy change could improve access.
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Testosterone Is A Key Female Brain Hormone
- Testosterone is a biologically active hormone in women produced by ovaries, adrenals, brain and muscles that supports cell health and brain function.
- Louise Newson and Kelly Casperson explain it aids mitochondria, glial cells and myelin, linking testosterone to nerve conduction and overall brain health.
Testosterone May Protect Myelin And Brain Health
- Evidence links testosterone to myelin maintenance and repair, suggesting roles in conditions like multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Kelly and Louise point out paradoxes: MS and dementia affect more women despite men's higher testosterone, implying overlooked protective effects.
Research Gaps Come From Economic And Gender Bias
- Research gaps on testosterone in women stem from cultural and economic biases: hormones are less studied because little profit drives few trials.
- Kelly Casperson highlights that science, funding and gendered assumptions shaped the lack of female-specific data.
