Everything You Need to Know About Testosterone for Women

Testosterone is important for women, too! As a vital hormone, testosterone is essential for maintaining your overall health. Although this hormone has a reputation for being associated only with men, it’s just as important for women to maintain a healthy balance of hormones — testosterone included. 

Continue reading to discover why women require testosterone to stay healthy and how your individual hormones play a major role in how you look and feel. 

What Testosterone Does for the Female Body

In men, testosterone is produced in the testes. In women, it’s mainly produced in the ovaries, but small amounts can be found in the adrenal glands. Testosterone is best known for its anabolic effects, like building muscle, strengthening tissues, and increasing bone density. 

Its androgenic effects are what we often associate with masculine characteristics, such as a deep voice, facial and body hair, and changes in face shape. For both genders, testosterone plays a key role in the development of muscle mass, body strength, energy levels, bone density, and a number of other functions. All of which are especially important for preserving in women as these tend to deteriorate with age. More importantly, testosterone can impact women in less obvious ways, like mood and sexual desire. 

In addition to these common effects, testosterone can also have a major effect on a women’s health in the following ways:

• Increase in muscle mass, which is necessary for staying lean and trim
• Decreased body fat in women who have gone through menopause
• Supports a healthy female sex drive
• Can help prevent age-related vaginal deterioration
• May support cardiovascular health

As you can see, normal testosterone production in females is just as crucial as it is for men. By knowing exactly what this hormone does for your body, you can keep an eye on any unwanted symptoms that signal an imbalance, and therefore work with your doctor to ensure your levels stay optimal. 

Low Testosterone in Women

Like with any hormone, it’s important that your testosterone levels stay balanced, as too much or too little testosterone can also pose certain health risks. Female testosterone levels start to decline between the ages of 20 and 40. Similar to estrogen, there doesn’t seem to be a major decrease or sudden change after menopause, however. Even then, some postmenopausal women experience lower testosterone levels that cause a significant decrease in sex drive. 

Overall, low testosterone levels in women can also lead to health issues like fatigue, osteoporosis, and a higher chance of bone fractures.

See the symptoms of low testosterone in females here:

• Hair loss
• Thin, dry skin
• Decrease in strength and muscle tone
• Weight gain, especially in the abdominal areas
• Menstrual cycle irregularity
• Fertility issues
• Loss of bone density
• Fatigue
• Low sex drive
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Poor concentration or focus
• Decreased motivation
• Poor sleep

As you can see, many of these symptoms overlap with other types of health conditions that are frequently seen in women. These include hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, and depression. Plus, other hormones like Estrogen and Progesterone can also contribute to these symptoms if they are off-balance. 

High Testosterone in Women

High levels of testosterone is somewhat rare in females, but it is possible. Generally, high levels of testosterone are a symptom of an underlying health condition. High levels of a type of androgen known as free testosterone can cause polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition that interferes with a woman’s monthly period and ovulation cycles. 

These are the most common symptoms of high testosterone in women: 

• Period stops before entering menopause
• Unusual amounts of body hair, such as the lower back
• Increased hair growth on the facial hair
• Deepening voice
• Acne and oily skin
• Increased and unwanted muscle mass 

Testosterone Balancing Treatment

We offer many types of medically-focused treatments to help our patients transform their bodies and health. When correcting hormonal imbalances, we recommend Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for best results. 

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for Women

Here at AquaVitae, we use a revolutionary treatment to balance your hormones and elevate your wellness. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy works by mimicking your body’s natural hormones to help regulate and achieve balance. By matching your body’s natural receptors we can effectively treat your body’s natural hormone system, rather than worsening the condition like some other forms of treatment can.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy can work for most types of females hormones including:

• Estradiol and estriol
• Progesterone
• Testosterone
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Cortisol

This form of hormone therapy is also beneficial for women who are suffering from the negative symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, adrenal fatigue, and thyroid disorders. 

Overall, a few of the benefits from using bioidentical hormones include the following:

• Fewer hot flashes 
• Decreased vaginal dryness
• Reduced risk of depression
• Improved sleep
• Better mood, concentration and memory
• Improved libido
• Better maintenance of muscle mass and strength
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Reduced risk of endometrial and breast cancer
• Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
• Reduced osteoporosis and restoration of bone strength

Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are custom-compounded based on each patient’s individual diagnostic results. This not only makes your treatment safer, but also more effective than using traditional synthetic hormones.

How is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Administered?

BHRT can be administered in various ways from injections to pellets and oral supplements. When creating a custom hormone plan, our doctors will work with you to determine the best method for getting you back to your normal. We typically recommend pellets for our busy patients who prefer to come into the office once per year for administration. Pellets are given via subcutaneous injection where they slowly dissolve underneath the skin. This is often easier than having to remember to take daily medications or get regular injections.

Balancing Your Hormones at AquaVitae

Now that you understand the importance of testosterone — even as a woman — you can feel confident in knowing that we will take great care of your health. Like you, we want to focus on finding your balance, so that you can look and feel your best from the inside out. By maintaining optimal hormone levels, you can stay healthier and younger for longer. 

If you would like to determine your current hormone levels, schedule an appointment at one of our three locations to get started on hormone treatment. Click the button below to get in touch with us and schedule an appointment.