Could you have low testosterone?: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Low Dose Testosterone Therapy for Females: Benefits, Risks, and More

Talk to a healthcare provider if you struggle with any of these symptoms. They can evaluate you and assess if testosterone levels may be responsible. Before menopause, women’s ovaries are the primary source of testosterone circulating in the blood. After menopause, because the ovaries stop functioning, blood testosterone is made from the hormone DHEA which comes from adrenal glands. Part of this may be due to the difficulty defining “normal” testosterone levels and “normal” behavior. Blood levels of testosterone vary dramatically over time and even during the course of a day. In addition, what may seem like a symptom of testosterone excess (see below) may actually be unrelated to this hormone.

Testosterone is often measured in the morning because that is when levels are typically highest. In a meta-analysis of 29 studies, statins in their cholesterol-lowering function were shown to influence testosterone levels in both men and women. In women, androgen levels decline by 50% from the early 20s to the mid-40s. Age-related changes in androgen levels commonly occur in women in their late 30s and 40s and post-menopausally. Most of these underlying causes are related to ovarian function, and medical providers sometimes misdiagnose women as having high testosterone, when, in fact, it is low. It will likely require blood testing to identify the source of the problem and determine the proper corrective treatment.

Symptoms include irregular periods, reduced fertility, excess or coarse hair on the face, extremities, trunk and pubic area, male-pattern baldness, darkened, thick skin, weight gain, depression and anxiety. One treatment available for many of these problems is spironolactone, a special type of diuretic (water pill) that blocks the action of male sex hormones. It’s okay for testosterone levels to fluctuate for women in different stages of life. While there’s a clinical reference on “healthy” levels of testosterone, there’s no established information on the optimal range to diagnose abnormal levels in women. It contributes to a woman’s sex drive and libido, improves energy, promotes ovarian health, and plays a crucial role in bone growth and strength.

Symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. If any of these symptoms are bothering you, talk with your provider. Though testosterone is essential to the health and well-being of all bodies, there is limited research on its supplementation in females. Low dose testosterone may also allow for gradual physical changes, giving individuals time to assess the effects before deciding on further treatment. Testosterone provided the collagen and connective tissue that held our skin tight to our bodies and built muscles in our abdomen and oblique muscles that make our waists slim. But when women who have deficient testosterone turn around and look at their backs in a mirror…the lack of musculature and abundant back fat is unmistakable, and is an obvious tell tale sign of low T.

Although it’s common for men to take testosterone to treat low libido, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved testosterone replacement therapy for women. Some doctors do prescribe it for women as an off-label use, notes Jenna M. Turocy, MD, an ob-gyn at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. “These products include testosterone skin patches, gels, creams or ointments, pills, implants, and injections, often designed and government-approved for men,” Dr. Turocy says. Research indicates that restoring testosterone levels in postmenopausal women has positive effects on increasing libido and improving sexual satisfaction. Utilizing BHRT to boost testosterone levels is a safe way for women to achieve fulfilling and comfortable intimate lives. BHRT provides supplementary testosterone that mirrors the hormone just as it’s naturally produced in the body.

Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain, and it produces the hormones that tell other glands in your body to do their jobs. When your pituitary gland doesn’t work right, it interferes with many of the glands it controls. One of those glands is your adrenal gland, which makes testosterone. In many women, the ovaries continue to produce hormones like testosterone. Some women may also be deficient in enzymes that process DHEA and DHEA-S into testosterone.

Hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone, can interrupt the sleep-wake cycle. This can disrupt an individual’s natural sleeping patterns, potentially making it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Generally, most testosterone products are aimed towards male consumers, and therefore will likely contain amounts of testosterone that are too high for women. A disorder of the pituitary gland called hypopituitarism can also result in testosterone deficiency. Lower levels of estrogen may also increase your risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. This disorder causes cysts on your ovaries, which can trigger menstrual problems and infertility.

Both males and females produce testosterone in their bodies, but males typically have much higher levels of it. Testosterone is a male sex hormone, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining a woman’s overall health – helping with things like energy, mood, libido, cognition and more. Testosterone is involved in many important bodily functions in females.

Testosterone levels peak in a woman’s 20s but then slowly decline after, and by the time a woman reaches the menopause, her testosterone levels are at half of their peak. As surprising as it may be, women can also be bothered by symptoms of testosterone deficiency. For example, problem with function of pituitary gland or adrenal glands may lead to reduced testosterone production. Affected women may experience low libido, reduced bone strength, poor concentration or depression.

We understand that hormonal health has no one-size-fits-all solution. So, whether it’s custom dosages, alternative forms of administration, or specialized medications, our BHRT plans are meticulously tailored to meet the unique hormonal demands of each patient. We ensure the highest level of effectiveness and convenience female to male hormone therapy suit your lifestyle. It’s important for women to recognize the influence some lifestyle changes can have on their hormonal health. Your doctor, pharmacist, or hormonal specialist may recommend certain lifestyle adjustments as a part of your BHRT journey. Specific adaptations can complement the therapy, boosting its effectiveness and promoting a holistic approach to your overall well-being.