Low Testosterone In Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Do Women Have Testosterone? What It Does, Normal Levels, More

Men and women need the proper amount of testosterone to develop and function normally. There may be other important functions of this hormone that have not yet been discovered. If a woman has too much testosterone in her body, she may begin to notice changes to her physical appearance.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911. Male test subjects didn’t show much of a change in their testosterone levels. At around week seven in utero, the sex-related gene on the Y chromosome initiates the development of the testicles in male infants.

It’s important to note that the normal ranges for testosterone levels can vary based on the type of blood test done and the laboratory where it is done. Your provider will always reference your laboratory’s normal ranges when interpreting your results. As testosterone in your blood increases, it suppresses the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which helps maintain normal levels of testosterone. Once women are started on testosterone therapy, improvement in sexual symptoms — if it is going to occur — will take about four weeks, with maximum results in about 12 weeks. However, if there is no change in sexual function six months later, testosterone therapy should be discontinued, and other reasons for the sexual problems should be explored. Even though testosterone has been shown to be likely safe in clinical trials lasting about two years, the U.S.

Some research suggests that low testosterone levels may affect fertility in women. This is because inadequate testosterone levels can disrupt ovarian function and menstrual cycles, potentially resulting in difficulty conceiving. If you experience sudden, unexplained weight gain, it may be worth getting your testosterone levels checked. Weight gain can lead to a number of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. By balancing testosterone levels, women can maintain energy levels throughout the day, making it easier to accomplish daily tasks and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In males, testosterone production is highest during puberty, triggering the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. In women, production of testosterone is highest during the reproductive years, then gradually declines over time.

This is because your testosterone level can change from morning to evening and from day to day. The brain and pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, control production of testosterone by the testes. Testosterone levels are highest by age 20 to 30 and slowly go down after age 30 to 35.

Testosterone levels have usually been measured in this population only when looking for excess production in women complaining of facial hair, loss of scalp hair, infertility, or acne. 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. If the free testosterone level is between 1.8 ng/mL and 2.2 ng/mL, this regimen is continued.

While many women report a return of libido after optimizing hormones, testosterone is essential for much more than sex-drive. Testosterone helps regulate several vital systems that influence mood, energy levels, physical fitness and overall physical and mental health as women age. The normal range of testosterone levels in women varies depending on age, stage of the menstrual cycle, and other factors.

Although Testosterone is generally viewed as a male-only hormone, women’s ovaries also make small amounts of testosterone. Though it sounds complicated, you now have the tools to determine the reason for your broken metabolism, the reasons regular diets don’t address the root cause of your weight gain and belly fat. Aging is not the only cause for the dwindling of women’s T levels. Medications including the use of birth control pills and the use of a popular class of antidepressants have been shown to cause a negative effect in testosterone levels. As with other important hormones, such as estrogen, high and low amounts of testosterone can greatly affect biological functions, causing a number of complications. A testosterone imbalance results when the amount of testosterone in the body fluctuates erratically. Personal experiences can stack up over time, leading to diminished sex drive and discomfort with intimacy.

Both estrogen and testosterone have anti-inflammatory effects, protecting the nerve cells against injury. Testosterone may modulate oxidative stress and reduce the accumulation of the injurious amyloid-beta protein within the brain while speeding up nerve regeneration. However, researchers have yet to prove that supplementation is safe and effective in the long term. People who are or think they may be experiencing high testosterone symptoms should consult a doctor to determine the cause and determine the best course of treatment. Treating the underlying disorder will often reduce symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. According to a 2019 review, pairing oral contraceptives that contain estrogen and progestin with antiandrogens and metformin may be most effective for the treatment of hirsutism.

We offer a treatment called SottoPelle, which is a form of bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) that allows us to provide our patients with very accurate doses of hormones. Sottopelle can combine doses of both estrogen and testosterone pellets that are administered based on a patient’s specific hormone levels. Learn about hormone replacement therapy, including the risks, side effects, and alternative treatments. If you are low doses of testosterone safe experiencing any of the symptoms outlined above — especially if they’re affecting your overall quality of life — it’s important that you speak to a healthcare provider.