A woman’s testosterone levels naturally change throughout her life, her menstrual cycle, and even at different times of the day. A woman with low testosterone does not contain enough to help produce new blood cells, maintain sex drive, or boost levels of other reproductive hormones.

Testosterone belongs to a group of hormones known as androgens. Testosterone levels affect:

• fertility;
• sex drive;
• red blood cell production;
• muscle mass and fat distribution.

Most people think of testosterone as a male sex hormone, but everyone requires a certain amount. While males have more testosterone than females, female adrenal glands and ovaries produce small amounts of this hormone.

According to studies, a woman should have a total of 15–70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) of testosterone in her blood. At this time, there are no conclusive guidelines for what should be considered “low” testosterone levels in women.

Symptoms

A woman with low testosterone may feel tired and lethargic. Low testosterone can cause one or more of the following symptoms in women:

• sluggishness;
• muscle weakness;
• fatigue;
• sleep disturbances;
• reduced sex drive;
• decreased sexual satisfaction;
• weight gain;
• fertility issues;
• irregular menstrual cycles;
• vaginal dryness;
• loss of bone density.

It is important to note that research in this area is still limited. Because the symptoms linked to low testosterone are so common, a doctor will look for signs of other issues or conditions before making a diagnosis.

The doctor may check for:

• depression;
• anxiety;
• chronic stress;
• thyroid disease;
• transition to menopause.

Causes

Testosterone levels naturally reduce with age and menopause.

The two main causes of low testosterone are:

• diminishing levels of the hormone as a normal result of menopause and aging;
• problems with the ovaries or the pituitary or adrenal glands.

Testosterone decreases naturally as a woman ages. Levels of other hormones, such as estrogen, also reduce over time, especially when a woman reaches menopause.

Around the time that menopause begins, a woman may be more likely to have less testosterone because the ovaries are producing fewer hormones.

Also, medications that combat the side effects of menopause can lower testosterone levels. One such medicine is oral estrogen.

Problems with the ovaries and adrenal glands can also cause lower levels of testosterone. A woman may have reduced levels if her ovaries have been removed, for example, or if she has adrenal insufficiency, which means that the adrenal glands do not work correctly.

Diagnosis

There is currently a lack of research into the treatment of low testosterone in women. Many doctors are much more concerned about testosterone levels that are too high.

In 2014, a task force recommended routinely measuring testosterone levels in women, as research has yet to prove a link between testosterone levels and symptoms.

If a woman reports any of the symptoms listed above, a doctor will likely check for other, more common, conditions first.

To diagnose low testosterone in women, a doctor will start with a physical exam and ask about any symptoms. If the doctor suspects low testosterone, they will order a blood test.

If a woman has not yet reached menopause, the doctor will likely advise on the best time to test the testosterone levels. This is because they fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle.

Treatment

Improving sleep quality may help the symptoms of low testosterone.
Some estrogen replacement drugs contain testosterone.

However, the quantity of testosterone in the drugs may not be enough to raise levels, or the body may not be able to absorb them sufficiently.

A doctor may administer testosterone injections or pellets, expecting these treatments to have the same effect on women as on men: raising energy levels, decreasing fatigue, and increasing the sex drive.

However, many doctors advise women not to take testosterone. Likewise, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few testosterone-based treatments for women. This is because the side effects can include:

• hair loss;
• acne;
• excess facial hair;
• a deepening voice;
• an enlarged clitoris.

The 2014 task force advised against treating low testosterone levels in women due to a lack of research. However, they noted as an exception that women with a condition called hypoactive sexual desire disorder should receive treatment.

A doctor may instead recommend alternative therapies to treat the symptoms of low testosterone in women. These treatments and lifestyle changes can include:

• sex therapy;
• taking steps to manage stress;
• getting enough sleep;
• eating a healthful diet;
• taking over-the-counter dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements.

DHEA is a steroid hormone that is also produced by the adrenal glands. Supplements are also available to purchase online. The Endocrine Society advises against routine supplementation with DHEA, however, researchers have yet to prove that supplementation is safe and efficient in the long term.

The side effects of DHEA supplementation can be similar to those of excess testosterone.

Immediate Benefits of Testosterone Therapy For Women

By supporting the underlying infrastructure of your body, testosterone therapy for women has the ability to deliver immediate benefits. Many of our female patients report experiencing a revitalization in as little as 24 hours!

Skin And Hair

Optimized testosterone levels have the power to improve the quality of your skin and hair.

The body’s natural collagen synthesis diminishes with age, leaving wrinkles and sagging skin in its place. Testosterone therapy helps to counteract this effect by supporting the “behind the scenes” functions the body needs to efficiently produce collagen.

As a result, you may find that testosterone therapy reduces the appearance of wrinkles and helps your skin look bright and youthful.

Similarly, testosterone therapy for women can improve hair regrowth by thickening hair at the follicle to prevent it from falling out. Testosterone and thyroid hormones work in concert to stimulate hair growth from existing hair follicles that have been unresponsive in the past.

Keep in mind that this won’t make you hairy like a gorilla; testosterone therapy can’t create new hair follicles or make you what you’re not. Instead, testosterone therapy makes you more of what you are and what you used to be!

The only exception occurs in women who have androgenetic alopecia, a genetic condition that makes the hair follicles sensitive to androgens like testosterone. If you have this androgen-sensitive condition, you may need to work with your doctor to find a medication that blocks androgens from having a toxic effect on your hair follicles.

Mood With Energy

Do you wake up feeling like you just don’t have enough energy in the tank to push through your day? Are you moody, verging on depression, and generally “blue”? These issues aren’t just in your head or meant to be solved by an antidepressant.

Instead, they may be the symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Balancing your testosterone levels with bioidentical hormone therapy quickly lifts the veil of brain fog, depression, and fatigue. You suddenly remember what it’s like to embrace your life with passion and vitality instead of just treading water.

Other Major Benefits of Testosterone Therapy

Aside from the immediate benefits of enhanced skin, hair, mood, and energy, testosterone therapy for women also play a vital role in overall health and longevity.

Connection Between Insulin And Testosterone

The Holy Grail of health is having optimal blood sugar levels. Biochemically, the hormone insulin is the body’s best mechanism to lower and normalize blood sugar.

In an ideal situation, insulin arrives in response to high blood sugar and quickly normalizes blood sugar by transporting glucose as energy to cells throughout the body.

However, when our eating habits continually keep our blood sugar levels elevated, more and more insulin pumps into our system in response. Over time, the body begins to ignore insulin and create dangerous insulin resistance that leads to chronically elevated blood sugars and diabetes.

Finding mechanisms to help the body become more sensitive to insulin is critical to preventing disease. Testosterone therapy is one such mechanism! It helps women become more insulin sensitive by creating muscle cells that are hyper-responsive to insulin in the presence of glucose.

Once you take control of your blood sugar, everything else is possible!

Testosterone And Osteoporosis

The link between testosterone and osteoporosis is one of the most underrated connections in the human body.

Nearly 80% of adults with osteoporosis in America are women. This condition is far more serious than most people realize. The likelihood of a woman breaking her hip is as high as her risk of ovarian, uterine, and breast cancer combined!

So why aren’t we talking more about osteoporosis and its potential treatment using hormone replacement therapy?

In its simplest form, osteoporosis is a condition of brittle bones. If you have osteoporosis, your bones have lost critical mass and density, leaving you vulnerable to fractures and breaks. Imagine a home with a weak foundation and cracking frame. That’s the effect of osteoporosis on your body.

We need to keep our infrastructure as strong as possible. Exercise, sun exposure, vitamin D, strength training, calcium, and even estrogen all improve bone health, but testosterone and osteoporosis share a special link.

Testosterone replacement therapy is a powerful and untapped osteoporosis treatment. Research suggests that testosterone supports bone cells and skeletal growth, possibly beyond the effects of estrogen alone.

This means testosterone therapy offers important long-term bone health benefits for women as they age!

The Role Of Testosterone Therapy And Sex Drive

Testosterone is widely associated with male sex drive, but it influences female libido as well!

These patients are upset about the stress placed on their relationships by a lack of intimacy, but they don’t know how to recapture their desire. Testosterone therapy quickly turns this issue around by restoring the hormones that enable sexual desire.

Protecting Against Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease isn’t just the number one killer of human beings. It’s the leading cause of death in women. Heart disease used to be seen as the disease of 60-year-old smoking men, but that’s a dangerous misconception.

As a woman, you need to reduce your risk of heart disease to live a long and vibrant life. Research proves that balancing hormones with testosterone therapy can protect themselves against cardiovascular risk factors.

Why is testosterone such a powerful force against heart disease? My medical experience and intuition tell me that testosterone creates a snowball effect of momentum by restoring insulin sensitivity, lean mass, strong bones, and high energy levels. When you have a strong core, plenty of energy, and balanced blood sugar levels, your body is better prepared to overcome any threats to longevity.

Takeaway

Doctors and researchers still do not fully understand how low testosterone levels affect women or how best to treat the deficiency.

Testosterone levels change as a person ages, and they may drop as a woman approaches menopause.

If a woman experiences symptoms of low testosterone, the results of a blood test can help a doctor to make a diagnosis.

Never take testosterone replacement therapy without a doctor’s recommendation. Supplements and replacement therapies may cause more unpleasant side effects than they relieve.

Get in touch with us here for further consultation on a free of charge basis.