Testosterone is an important hormone for both men and women. While it is often considered the "male" hormone, testosterone plays several crucial roles in women's health as well. Some key effects of testosterone in women include:
- Sex drive and arousal - Testosterone is critical for libido and sexual function in women. Women with higher testosterone levels tend to have a greater interest in sex, increased arousal, and more reliable orgasms.
- Bone health - Testosterone helps promote bone density and strength in women. Declining testosterone levels during menopause contributes to risks of osteoporosis.
- Muscle mass - Testosterone helps build and maintain lean muscle mass and strength. This contributes to athletic performance, weight management, and mobility as women age.
- Mood and cognition - Testosterone levels impact energy, mood, motivation, and cognitive functions like memory and concentration in women. Many women notice improvements in these areas with balanced testosterone.
- Metabolism - Testosterone plays an essential role in fat metabolism. Declining levels can lead to increases in body fat and make weight management more difficult.
Some other testosterone effects in women include:
- Hair growth
- Red blood cell production
- Breast health
- Skin health
Causes of Low Testosterone in Women
There are several potential reasons women can experience low testosterone levels, including:
- Menopause - Testosterone production sharply declines as women transition through perimenopause and enter menopause. This is a natural cause of declining testosterone.
- Medical conditions - Some medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal insufficiency, pituitary disorders and diabetes can disrupt normal testosterone balance.
- Medications - Certain prescription medications including corticosteroids, opioids, chemotherapies and anti-seizure drugs are associated with lowered testosterone.
- Lifestyle factors - Excess stress, inadequate sleep, nutritional deficiencies, extreme exercise, and calorie restriction may suppress testosterone over time.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Women with chronically low testosterone levels may develop symptoms like:
If experiencing symptoms for an extended period of time, women should see their doctor to test hormone levels.
Treatment Options for Low Testosterone in Women
If test results confirm clinically low testosterone, there are treatment options available:
- Testosterone therapy - Bioidentical testosterone medication can be prescribed in forms like pills, creams, patches and pellets. This treatment should be closely monitored by a hormone specialist.
- Lifestyle changes - Diet, exercise, stress management and other lifestyle factors can help balance testosterone levels naturally.
- Treating underlying causes - Any medical conditions causing hormone imbalances would also need to be addressed.
Benefits of Testosterone Therapy in Women
Research shows
hormone therapy with bioidentical testosterone offers women several potential benefits, such as:
- Increased libido and sexual satisfaction
- Improved arousal, lubrication and ability to orgasm
- Enhanced mood, motivation and sense of wellbeing
- Increased muscle mass and strength
- Reduced body fat and cellulite
- Healthier blood lipid profiles
- Stronger bones and reduced fracture risk
- Relief of menopausal symptoms
When properly prescribed and monitored, testosterone therapy is considered quite safe for women. However, there are some risks to be aware of.
Potential Risks of Testosterone Therapy
- Androgenic side effects - More common in high doses, these may include acne, hair loss, and growth of facial and body hair.
- Impact on cholesterol - Testosterone could negatively impact HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.
- Liver toxicity - Use of oral testosterone could increase liver enzymes. Other forms like gels, creams and pellets are safer.
- Increased heart disease risk - This is still debated, but avoiding oral doses minimizes any potential risk.
Any woman considering hormone therapy should have thorough lab testing done along with a complete medical evaluation. This will help confirm a need for treatment and rule out any underlying conditions.
Close monitoring and follow-up is essential to balance dosage and prevent side effects.
Women should only use bioidentical hormones prescribed by a medical professional, rather than compounded hormones from questionable sources.
When properly managed by an experienced hormone specialist, testosterone therapy can safely and effectively rebalance levels in menopausal and andropausal women with low testosterone.