Testosterone is an androgen, or a hormone that contributes to growth and reproduction in both men and women. We hear a lot about the importance of testosterone in men, but studies also show that testosterone is just as important to women. Testosterone in females is produced in the ovaries and by the adrenal glands and helps promote bone growth, libido and mood. It also helps relieve some vasomotor symptoms and vaginal atrophy and dryness. It is also the precursor to estrogen meaning without testosterone, there would be no “woman.”
Research has shown that a 40-year-old woman has approximately half the amount of circulating testosterone in her body as that of a 20-year-old, and this continues to decrease as she gets older.
We often mistake testosterone as the “male” hormone hormone replacement. While it’s true that men do produce ten times more testosterone than women, it still plays an important role in the health of women. This is especially true during a woman’s reproductive years when there is actually more testosterone produced in a woman than estrogen.
What experts now agree on is that both sexes need an adequate level of testosterone to maintain both physical and mental health. They now believe that low testosterone, not estrogen, is what leads to weight gain, fatigue, loss of mental focus and low libido in middle-aged women.
Most women will experience low testosterone levels before, during and after menopause. In fact, some women may start to see the symptoms of low testosterone in their early 30’s. These symptoms include low libido, hot flashes, fatigue, mental fogginess and weight gain.
When women begin to experience these symptoms, they may want to look into testosterone replacement therapy. This type of therapy has been successfully administered for many decades to both men and women.
Benefits of using testosterone replacement therapy for women including:
Increased muscle mass & strength
Increased libido
Lowers cholesterol levels
Increased energy, stamina and endurance
Improved mental functioning
Improves mood
Improved feeling of well-being
Protects against heart disease
Improved focus and concentration
Protects bone mass
An androgen (hormone) deficiency is often difficult to identify, as many women will think the symptoms result from psychological or lifestyle issues rather than a biological disorder. A low level of androgens can also result in reduced bone density that can predispose to osteoporosis.
Signs and symptoms of low testosterone may include:
Fatigue or loss of energy
Low sex drive (reduced desire to be intimate)
Depressed mood
Decreased sense of well-being
Increased body fat
Loss of muscle mass
Decreased bone strength
To confirm that a woman is suffering from androgen deficiency, the levels of testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) need to be evaluated.
