Hormones and Fat Distribution: Does Testosterone Therapy Help Older Women?
The landmark clinical research conducted at the University of Connecticut tracked body composition changes in postmenopausal cohorts receiving precise androgen supplementation. Rather than using conventional high-dose formulations designed for male hypogonadism, the UConn trial evaluated micro-dose transdermal testosterone protocols designed to restore youthful physiologic female concentrations.
Imaging evaluations using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and abdominal magnetic resonance scans revealed a selective reduction in visceral adipose tissue. Study participants exhibited an average 8.4% reduction in visceral fat volume over a 24-week period without altering their baseline aerobic activity. Interestingly, peripheral subcutaneous depots showed minimal change, indicating that androgen action selectively triggers lipolysis in visceral fat, which features a higher density of androgen receptors than subcutaneous tissue.