The claimWhat Kate actually said
Answering a listener question on the podcast How to Fail with Elizabeth Day in September 2024, Winslet said a dip in libido can be tied to thyroid or testosterone levels and suggested getting them checked. She added that women's testosterone runs out and can be replaced, and implied she spoke from personal experience.
- fortune.com: Kate Winslet in their own words
- Islam RM et al., Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, 2019, meta-analysis of 36 RCTs: testosterone improved sexual function in postmenopausal women, non-oral routes preferred
- Davis SR et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2019, Global Consensus Position Statement: only evidence-based indication is postmenopausal hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction, no diagnostic blood level, long-term safety unknown
Why it mattersWhy this matters for longevity
Low sexual desire is common in midlife and is often dismissed or left untreated.
Testosterone for women is frequently prescribed off-label, so dose, formulation and monitoring matter.
A simple "it runs out, replace it" story can push people toward treatment that the trials only support for a narrow group.
The evidenceWhat the science says
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 36 randomized trials with 8,480 participants and found testosterone improved desire, arousal, orgasm and satisfying sexual events in postmenopausal women, with non-oral forms preferred because oral forms worsened cholesterol. The 2019 Global Consensus Position Statement endorses testosterone only for postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction, at doses that keep blood levels in the premenopausal range.
The same consensus states that no testosterone blood level diagnoses low desire, that there is not enough evidence to support use for mood, energy, cognition or general well-being, and that safety beyond about two years is unknown. Testosterone in women falls gradually from early adulthood rather than disappearing at menopause, so the "runs out like eggs" framing is not supported.
TakeawayThe honest takeaway
The practical lesson
If low desire is distressing, ask a clinician about every possible cause, and treat testosterone as one option for a specific diagnosis rather than a universal fix.
Planning for a parent, or for yourself?
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RelatedRelated habits
Each of these is a habit you can build on its own. Explore them through the Topics index.
SupplementsThe supplement angle: Prescription testosterone (not a supplement)
Support a habit, do not replace one
Testosterone is a prescription hormone, not an over-the-counter product, and over-the-counter "testosterone boosters" have not been shown to do the same job. Any use should be supervised and monitored by a clinician.
Supplements can support good habits. They do not replace sleep, movement, nutrition, or medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting anything new.
This is educational commentary, not medical advice, and does not imply that Kate Winslet endorses, is affiliated with, or uses Winning Longevity or any product. We critique the claim and the evidence, not the person. Any direct quote is a placeholder until sourced. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider before changing your routine. See our health disclaimer.
