Could you have low testosterone?: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Low Testosterone in Women: Causes and Treatments

This thorough approach provides crucial insights into the root causes of your hormonal imbalances, guiding them to prescribe the most suitable and targeted treatment approach. Big hormonal swings, such as fluctuations in testosterone, can affect women’s metabolic function. BHRT aims to stabilize testosterone levels, supporting women in achieving and sustaining a more regulated metabolism and consistent weight. Reduced bone density and muscle mass are important indicators of low testosterone, though not always easy to notice. On this page, we will go over the benefits of BHRT for women and its role in restoring testosterone levels. We’ll provide valuable insights into the different ways BHRT can be administered to suit individual needs and lifestyles, as well as the initial process of getting started on a BHRT prescription. While it’s known that many men with low testosterone levels, often referred to as T levels, can be asymptomatic, the effects of low testosterone in women are not as well studied.

For example, it is normal to feel less interested in sex as you get older. To prevent unwanted hair growth, a 2020 review suggests that testosterone can be combined with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These inhibitors block the conversion of testosterone into a more potent form, which is responsible for hair growth. If you’re interested in treating a low libido with testosterone, talk with a doctor to see whether it might be a viable option for you. While some studies suggest low dose testosterone can be helpful for women, especially during menopause, more research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness.

However, as females age or undergo procedures like oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), testosterone levels can decline either gradually or abruptly. There are many ways to increase testosterone levels, including Testosterone Replacement Therapy and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. Stress and testosterone have an inverse relationship, meaning that when stress levels increase, testosterone levels decrease. This is because the hormone cortisol is produced to excess which comes from the same precursor as testosterone. Therefore, the more cortisol the body produces the less testosterone is made. Testosterone in women is crucial to the healthy functioning of most tissues in the body.

“There is no dose that we can say is absolutely safe for women,” she explains. “The goal is to aim for testosterone levels that are in the normal premenopausal range,” she adds. Testosterone therapy does not appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer, but it can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Because prostate cancer is so common, doctors tend to be leery of prescribing testosterone to men who may be at higher than average risk of having undiagnosed prostate cancer. However, many men with normal testosterone levels have similar symptoms, so a direct connection between testosterone levels and symptoms is not always clear.

A significant part of the regulation of the menstrual cycle relies on testosterone. So, low levels of this hormone can disrupt menstrual cycles, possibly resulting in irregular periods or changes in menstrual flow. A deficiency in this hormone can result in thinning hair and dry skin. Low sexual desire in women can lead to less sexual intimacy, which can put a strain on the relationships they have with their partners.

And it’s usually off-label use to treat your premature menopause symptoms. Taking low dose testosterone may allow for subtle masculinizing effects, like a deeper voice and increased muscle mass, without a fuller transition to a masculine appearance. Currently, regulatory agencies in many countries, including the United States, haven’t approved specific testosterone formulations for females.

SHBG is a protein primarily produced in the liver that binds to sex hormones testosterone and estrogen throughout the body and controls the amount in circulation. One study found women suffering from depression had a marked increase in mood after being put on testosterone replacement therapy and that women who took testosterone had higher levels of overall well being. Low testosterone levels in women can disrupt the menstrual cycle and ovulation, affecting fertility. It can lead to irregular or absent periods, making it difficult for a woman to conceive. In short, testosterone is an essential sex hormone that plays important roles in health across all sexes. Whether you’re having symptoms or just wondering how to test testosterone levels conveniently, consider the Everlywell Women’s Hormone Test.

Many treatment methods for low testosterone are unregulated and not widely studied. Only you and your healthcare provider can decide what’s best for you based on your symptoms and bloodwork. In women, low testosterone levels can be caused by various factors. Menopause is a natural process that occurs as women age and involves a decline in hormone production, including testosterone. These medications may suppress natural hormone production or alter the balance of hormones in the body. This product is available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores in the United States. Patients can take it off the shelves (eg, Your Life), as such products do not require a prescription.

A female’s testosterone levels fluctuate throughout life, the menstrual cycle, and at different times of the day. Low testosterone levels can affect the production of new blood cells, sex drive, and other hormone levels. First, your healthcare provider does a physical examination and talks to you about your symptoms and medical history. Many providers hesitate to diagnose low testosterone because research on the link between testosterone levels and specific symptoms isn’t well known. Low testosterone is often hard to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other conditions like depression, thyroid issues or low dose testosterone for females (https://www.kino-fada.fr/) iron (anemia). For a menopausal or postmenopausal woman, testosterone therapy can be an essential part of overall care. It can help combat fatigue, cognitive decline, and muscle loss, allowing you to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

A diminishing sex drive occurs naturally with age, but when the cause is low testosterone, a male will notice a significant decrease in the desire for sex. With testing and treatment options, we will have you feeling better than ever in no time. Even after a diagnosis of low testosterone, many women are rightfully nervous about starting what comes down to hormone therapy. But there are some amazing benefits to regulating your testosterone levels.