Prevention of Muscle Loss After Menopause Using Testosterone: The PAMELA Study
RECRUITMENT NOW COMPLETED
A randomised controlled trial evaluating whether testosterone therapy can prevent muscle and bone loss after menopause.
Background
Women experience an accelerated loss of muscle mass and strength around the time of menopause. Loss of muscle mass and strength causes poor physical function, decreased quality of life and increased risk of falls and fracture. There is no current drug therapy to prevent muscle loss in women.
Testosterone is a hormone that is key to women’s health. Testosterone levels peak when women are in their early 20s, then gradually decline to reach their lowest point after menopause when women are in their 60s. Testosterone is known to have an effect on muscle tissue, however studies to date in women have been inconclusive and larger, longer studies are needed.
Why are we doing this research?
This study aims to investigate whether supplementing testosterone in postmenopausal women to levels similar to that of premenopausal women can prevent the muscle and bone loss that occurs after menopause.
Who can participate?
We are seeking healthy postmenopausal women aged 55 to 70 years who are not currently using hormone replacement therapy or medications for osteoporosis to participate in this study.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be required to apply a skin cream containing an approved testosterone treatment for women or an identical placebo every day for 6 months.
Participants will need to be able to attend up to 4 clinic visits at the Women’s Health Research Program at 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
At each visit we will measure your muscle strength and function, collect blood to measure your hormone levels and ask you to complete questionnaires. You will undergo a bone mineral density scan (DEXA) at the start and end of the study period.
Recruitment for this study is now completed. For further information about the study, please contact us:
Women’s Health Research Program
Monash University
Phone: +61 3 9903 0836
Email: womens.health@monash.edu
This study is approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee