Testosterone Gel Combined With Exercise Reduces Visceral Fat in Older Women After Hip Fracture, Study Finds

A study published May 7, 2026, in the journal Obesity Pillars found that a topical testosterone gel combined with exercise reduced visceral fat in 66 women over 65 recovering from hip fractures, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut. The research was led by Jacob Earp, assistant professor of kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. After six months, women who received the gel had lower levels of visceral fat compared to those who only exercised, the report stated. [1]

The findings were announced in a university news release that described the results as a potential new strategy for improving recovery and long-term health outcomes for older women after serious injury.

Background: Visceral Fat and Aging

As people age, body fat redistributes from subcutaneous areas to the visceral compartment around internal organs, increasing risks for diabetes and heart disease, according to researchers. “There is a direct link between sex hormones and fat distribution throughout the body,” Earp said in the university statement. [1] Prior research has shown that testosterone replacement can improve cardiac output and exercise capacity in men with heart failure, according to Wright and Lenard in a book on bioidentical hormone replacement. [2]

“Doing these blanket weight loss strategies is not always the healthiest approach, especially because muscle weight will be lost along with fat and maintaining muscle is extremely important as we age,” Earp added, as quoted in the release. [1] The study noted that traditional weight loss approaches reduce overall weight and muscle, which can be detrimental for older adults.

Study Design

The trial enrolled 66 women over age 65 who had recently sustained a hip fracture, a condition occurring nearly three times more often in women than in men, according to the researchers. Participants received DXA scans to assess body composition before starting a structured exercise program, officials said. One group was given a topical testosterone gel, while the other group followed the exercise program alone. [1]

The study was published in Obesity Pillars and funded by the National Institute on Aging, according to the university release. The researchers aimed to test whether hormone therapy could counter the unhealthy fat redistribution that typically follows such an injury.

Results

After six months, follow-up scans showed that overall body fat levels remained similar in both groups, but fat distribution differed significantly, the report stated. The testosterone group showed decreased visceral fat, while the control group experienced an increase typical after hip fracture recovery. “If you have injury and just generally as we age, we expect an increase in visceral fat,” Earp said. “This really bucked that trend and caused selective reduction of fat in that visceral compartment.” [1]

The findings suggest a targeted effect on fat distribution rather than overall weight loss, according to the researchers. The study did not report significant differences in other body composition measures or adverse events.

Implications for Recovery and Healthy Aging

The findings suggest a potential intervention to improve outcomes after serious injuries in older women, according to the researchers. Hip fractures “are devastating injuries that most women don’t ever recover from,” Earp noted, and any beneficial intervention could improve quality of life. [1] Further research is needed to confirm long-term effects and applicability to other populations, the study authors concluded. [1]

Some health commentators have cautioned that testosterone therapy carries risks, including potential increases in cardiovascular events, as highlighted in a Mercola article. [3] Natural approaches such as resistance training have been shown to trigger the body’s own testosterone release, according to Clement and Clement in their book on male menopause. [4] Additional reports have described testosterone’s role in anti-aging and fat conversion. [5] These perspectives suggest that while hormone therapy may offer benefits, lifestyle strategies remain a foundational option.

References

1. University of Connecticut. (2026, May 7). Scientists find a way to stop dangerous belly fat as we age. ScienceDaily.
2. Wright, Jonathan, and Lane Lenard. Stay Young and Sexy with Bio Identical Hormone Replacement. (Snippet on testosterone replacement and cardiac output).
3. Mercola.com. (2013, November 22). Testosterone Therapy May Actually Increase Your Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack and Death. By Dr. Mercola.
4. Clement, Brian R., and Anna Maria Clement. MAN-opause. (Snippet on resistance training triggering testosterone release).
5. NaturalNews.com. (2008, March 28). New Understanding of the Role of Testosterone. By NaturalNews.com.