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

Low Testosterone in Women: Causes and Treatments

As in men, adequate testosterone levels support the optimal growth and maintenance of lean muscle tissue in women, enhancing their overall endurance and strength. Menopause, which occurs as a woman ages, can lead to a lower amount of testosterone produced by the ovaries. Menopause is often the reason why women experience a change in their sex drive. A healthcare provider can develop a treatment plan that aims to lower ovarian or adrenal androgen production.

As a former staff member at Everyday Health, she covered a wide range of chronic conditions and diseases. Ashley Welch has more than a decade of experience in both breaking news and long-form storytelling. She is passionate about getting to the crux of the latest scientific studies and sharing important information in an easy-to-digest way to better inform decision-making. She has written about health, science, and wellness for a variety of outlets, including Scientific American Mind, Healthline, New York Family, Oprah.com, and WebMD. But the biggest concern involves testosterone’s long-term safety in women, as no robust scientific studies have looked at potential lasting effects. Adjustments are based on how your symptoms respond to a specific hormone and regimen, coupled with additional test results. The ultimate goal is to relieve symptoms whilst using the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time.

The American Urology Association reports that low testosterone affects around 2 in every 100 men. The risk increases with age, though most people naturally lose testosterone as they get older. Genetic variants that affect the Y chromosome and the sex hormone-binding globulin may result in a higher risk for low testosterone. SHBG is a protein that helps deliver testosterone to the body’s tissues. Studies show that low testosterone levels in males have an association with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. Diets high in trans-fats can negatively impact a person’s testosterone levels, while zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant vitamins can support testosterone production. It is important to remember that males typically lose testosterone as they age, and the potential benefits of lifestyle changes also decrease over time.

Discover how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help you feel like yourself again. Female androgen metabolismIn women, testosterone is produced in various locations. The main precursor in the ovary is androstenedione, which is converted primarily to estrone, but which can also be converted to androgens. The recent finding of decreased testosterone and DHEA-S production in both pre- and post-menopausal women brings up the possibility of an enzyme defect causing decreased DHEA production.

DHEA is derived from 17 hydroxypregnenolone through the action of the enzyme 17, 20 lyase. In recent years, researchers (and pharmaceutical companies) have focused on the effects of testosterone deficiency, especially among men. In fact, as men age, testosterone levels drop very gradually, about 1% to 2% each year — unlike the relatively rapid drop in estrogen that causes menopause. The testes produces less testosterone, there are fewer signals from the pituitary telling the testes to make testosterone. Also, as men get older, their livers make more sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. Diagnosing low testosterone in women involves a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and hormone levels.

Some women find they have low testosterone due to issues with their ovaries, or the pituitary or adrenal glands. But, most women are diagnosed with low testosterone around the time menopause begins. As women age, their ovaries begin to produce lower levels of hormones allowing hormones like testosterone and estrogen to decrease naturally. If you have high levels of testosterone, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to learn about treatment options. In some cases, hormone therapy or medication can help restore your levels to a normal range. Most healthcare providers will be able to diagnose low testosterone levels by using a blood test. However, it’s important to note that hormone levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, meaning your blood test results may vary.

Low testosterone levels can affect your mood, libido and musculoskeletal health. Testosterone therapy may make sense for women who have low testosterone levels and symptoms that might be due to testosterone deficiency. However, the wisdom and effectiveness of testosterone treatment to improve sexual function or cognitive function among postmenopausal women is unclear.

Many clinicians and patients report meaningful improvements when therapy is carefully monitored. Despite its significance, low testosterone in women remains under-discussed. This is especially true when both partners manage their hormone health together. You may feel fatigued, have difficulty sleeping, or have depression. Women and people AFAB usually have testosterone levels less than 40 ng/dL.

For women seeking treatment for low sex drive, the idea of a “quick fix” probably sounds appealing. testosterone im injection site therapy and boosting supplements are among those widely marketed options that might seem too good to be true – because for most women, they are. It is important to note that the symptoms of low testosterone levels can vary widely between individuals, and a diagnosis of low testosterone levels should not be based solely on blood test results. Whether we’re talking about sex hormones like testosterone, stress hormones like cortisol, or metabolism hormones like insulin, there’s no denying that hormones are the cornerstone of holistic health. In the United States and many other countries, government agencies that regulate medicines haven’t approved testosterone therapy for women. But it can be prescribed if it might have a medical benefit for someone.