Believe it or not (definitely believe it), testosterone isn’t just a hormone for men. In fact, a woman’s body produces small amounts of testosterone, which is incredibly important to maintain overall health. Just like all hormones, low testosterone in women can negatively impact different aspects of life.
In the female body, testosterone is a hormone that’s secreted by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Throughout life, these levels change, but on average a healthy woman will have 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter of testosterone. This is 10x more than the amount of estrogen a woman has.
Many women come into our office at Amy Brenner, MD & Associates to help manage “low T.” Based on our expert knowledge, here’s what you should know about low testosterone in women and how to treat it.
Why testosterone in women is important
First off, optimizing testosterone isn’t going to cause you to grow a beard or become overly manly like some people may believe. We emphasize to our patients that having testosterone is a good thing for women as long as you have the proper balance.
Testosterone levels can affect energy, sex drive, and even mood. So, it’s not something you want to ignore or brush off.
Benefits of testosterone include:
- Contributes to muscle mass and strength
- Decreases fat
- Increases exercise tolerance
- Enhances sense of well-being
- Increases libido
- Supports a healthy cardiovascular system
- Reduces blood sugar
- Increases bone density
- Supports healthy cholesterol levels
Causes of low T in women
There are a few reasons why you could have low testosterone.
- The aging process (menopause/perimenopause)
- Surgery (having ovaries removed)
- Medications (oral estrogens, pain pills, cholesterol lowering)
During menopause, your body naturally stops producing as much reproductive hormones. That means testosterone levels will naturally decrease.
If you have problems with certain glands such as your pituitary gland, ovaries, or adrenal glands, you may find that you have low testosterone.
Symptoms of low testosterone in women
Symptoms of low testosterone can also be confused for other conditions, so it’s important that you get evaluated by a hormone expert when you can.
Some symptoms may include:
- Low sex drive
- Dry skin
- Loss of muscle tone
- Increase in body fat
- Thinning hair
- Vaginal dryness
- Thinning bones
- Fatigue
- Mood Issues
How to treat low testosterone levels
Bio-identical hormone therapy is a great solution for women who have low T levels. Bio-identical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones your body produces, giving you a more natural way to replenish deficiencies.
Read more about hormones and bio-identical hormone therapy →
Testosterone can be administered via hormone pellet therapy, injections, or daily creams. The goal is to eliminate negative side effects that stem from low testosterone.
Always do you research before getting any kind of hormone replacement therapy. You want to make sure that wherever you choose has experienced medical professionals who can monitor your symptoms for maximum results.
Amy Brenner, MD & Associates can help
Our doctors and nurse practitioners at Amy Brenner, MD & Associates are experts in hormone therapy and managing symptoms of low testosterone in women. It’s never too late to take control of your health. We customize a plan that will help relieve symptoms of low testosterone to help you enjoy your daily life.
To get started, contact us or schedule a consultation.
You can also learn more by subscribing to our Hormone Education for Women email series!
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