Should Women Worry About Low Testosterone? Enhancement of Life Center San Antonio

Low Testosterone In Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

This was confirmed by a systematic review of clinical trials comparing testosterone with a placebo or an alternative. There is sound evidence that testosterone therapy may improve sexual desire in post-menopausal women who have developed low sexual desire that bothers them. Some of the testosterone measured in blood is also produced outside the ovaries, such as in fat, where it is made from “pre-hormones” secreted by the adrenal glands. This source of production of testosterone takes over after menopause. Many underlying conditions, like side effects from medications, ovarian disease, adrenal disorders, and other hormonal imbalances, can cause low testosterone levels.

Healthcare professionals consider a person’s symptoms when diagnosing low testosterone levels, but they may need to take a blood test for a conclusive diagnosis. Your provider will likely have you get a blood test to check your testosterone level. These include medicine side effects, thyroid problems, or depression. Nonbinary people can also use nandrolone, an injectable steroid, to increase muscle mass without excessive hair growth. However, its safety profile is not well studied for medical use, as most data comes from its misuse in athletes. Make sure to always discuss participation in any clinical trial with your primary healthcare professional. More research needs to be done, but an early study from 2010 found that participants saw significant improvement in sexual function and reduced personal distress over symptoms.

The last characteristic that is obvious to only the most intimate observer is our loss of pubic hair, underarm hair, and hair on our legs. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

Since each woman with low testosterone may have different symptoms and different root causes, testing and a personalized treatment plan from a functional medicine perspective can be incredibly supportive. If you’d like some guidance around your hormonal health, please reach out for an appointment. But there is no “normal” blood level below which a woman can be diagnosed as having “testosterone deficiency”. So there’s no such thing as having a testosterone deficiency or testosterone deficiency syndrome. The claim is often made that pre-menopausal women have more testosterone in their bloodstream than estrogen, to justify the need for testosterone replacement after menopause.

Research indicates that exercise affects women’s hormonal health differently compared to men. One study noted that endurance and resistance exercise may influence testosterone, estradiol, and growth hormone compared to a control group. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, and is secreted by the adrenal glands. In menopausal women, this provides a reservoir of hormones from the adrenal glands. If  DHEA is lower than expected for the age of the woman, then she will often experience increased menopausal symptoms as there is less adrenal production to compensate for the decrease in ovarian production.

However, based on inconclusive data, the FDA does warn of a possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Early research has shown some benefits of low dose testosterone therapy in postmenopausal care, gender affirming care, and more. Some people assigned female at birth may choose to take low dose testosterone as part of their gender affirming care. Some evidence suggests that using testosterone can help treat sexual dysfunction, such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which is marked by distress from a reduced interest in sex. To help improve your testosterone levels, it is important to implement habits to reduce stress levels, such as meditation, yoga, and getting enough sleep every night. What makes it tricky is that these can also be due to estrogen deficiency or progesterone deficiency.

A healthy hormonal balance is key to achieving consistent, restful sleep. If any of these hormone levels get out of sync with the others, you’ll likely develop one or more of the common symptoms of hormone imbalance. A woman’s body need testosterone to function properly, to regulate certain systems, and to remain healthy.

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 to suit your lifestyle. It’s important for women how to lower levels of testosterone in females 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.

Crafted by human At Femia, we provide accurate and up-to-date information at every stage of your journey, from trying to conceive, pregnancy and postnatal support. All content is created by a real person based on in-depth research and own professional experience. Femia ensures that you will receive expert advice, strict accuracy and a personalized approach from our authors/medical experts. Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. In people with fertility problems, low testosterone may be a symptom of a testicular function issue causing infertility rather than a cause of infertility itself. A primary care physician may refer an individual to a urologist, who specializes in diseases of the male reproductive system, or to an endocrinologist who specializes in hormone-related diseases. When the cells are full of glucose, the body stores the excess in fat cells, which may lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

When you have adrenal insufficiency, your glands don’t make enough of some hormones, including testosterone. Doctors can also administer injections of testosterone and medical researchers are currently studying the effects of testosterone patches and pellets implanted in the skin. Some women may also obtain testosterone gel formulations from compounding pharmacies.