Why Testosterone is Important For Women

Testosterone plays a critical role in our bodies. While you might know about estrogen and progesterone, it’s important to also know about how testosterone affects us as women. Even though it’s known as the male hormone, our ovaries produce both estrogen and testosterone. Unfortunately, women can suffer from low testosterone, just like with any other hormone, and it can cause problems:

• Low testosterone symptoms often include:

• Low sex drive

• Vaginal dryness

• Low bone density

• Low muscle mass

• Increased fat mass

• Fatigue

• Mood changes like depression and anxiety

If you are experiencing any one of these symptoms, testosterone replacement therapy may prove beneficial to counteract age-related decline in testosterone.

At Re-EVOLVE MedSpa, we start by moving your low testosterone into the normal, even optimal range, depending on age. A woman's body produces about one-tenth to one-twentieth of the amount of testosterone that the male body does. This means that the normal testosterone range for women is between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL. Suppose your testosterone level is below the normal range around perimenopause and post-menopause. In that case, we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to boost levels into that healthy range and increase your quality of life.

Balancing Your Testosterone May Increase Sex Drive

Testosterone plays a critical role in sex drive for both men and women. In fact, testosterone replacement therapy is commonly used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which is a type of sexual dysfunction many women suffer from. HSDD is a condition where you have low or no libido, so you may not experience any sexual thoughts or fantasies, feel disinterested in sex, lose interest during sex, have a hard time reaching orgasm, and may even try to avoid sex altogether. If this is you and you’re experiencing low sex drive, then testosterone replacement therapy may be an option to improve your sex life.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Vaginal Health

Another common symptom you might notice during menopause is vaginal dryness. This is where you have less natural lubrication. The tissues of the vagina may also begin to thin. This can cause tearing and discomfort during sex or even just from everyday activities like walking. Studies have found that testosterone can help improve vaginal lubrication, decrease vaginal dryness, and strengthen the vaginal wall.

Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Bone Health, Muscle Health, and Fat Distribution

Another reason you might consider testosterone is to strengthen your bones, build lean muscle, and burn fat. Testosterone affects how strong and dense your bones are how big and strong your muscles are, and can even affect where you store fat. Low testosterone in women is associated with weaker bones, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, and more visceral (belly) fat, which is associated with metabolic issues. Increasing your testosterone to normal, even optimal ranges, with testosterone replacement therapy can reduce these risks. You may feel stronger, look leaner, and enjoy a lower risk for issues like osteoporosis and metabolic issues tied to belly fat.

Testosterone Can Improve Mood and Energy

Many women with low testosterone levels experience debilitating fatigue and mood changes like depression and anxiety. In fact, low testosterone is often mistaken as depression or high stress because of these symptoms. However, the good news is that increasing testosterone levels to normal ranges can help you feel more energetic and may boost your mood so you can enjoy your everyday activities.

To get started, schedule a free appointment today. During this appointment, we will review your current health issues and goals and determine the best next step for you on your health Journey. Most of our patients decide to move forward with our diagnostic appointment, where we measure their hormone levels to determine if they have low testosterone and are a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.

Susan Corbett APRN, CNM, MSCP, NAMS Certified Provider