Low Testosterone in Women : Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Low Testosterone in Women : Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. If any of these symptoms are bothering you, talk with your provider. Though testosterone is essential to the health and well-being of all bodies, there is limited research on its supplementation in females. Low dose testosterone may also allow for gradual physical changes, giving individuals time to assess the effects before deciding on further treatment. Testosterone provided the collagen and connective tissue that held our skin tight to our bodies and built muscles in our abdomen and oblique muscles that make our waists slim. But when women who have deficient testosterone turn around and look at their backs in a mirror…the lack of musculature and abundant back fat is unmistakable, and is an obvious tell tale sign of low T.

Research indicates that exercise affects women’s hormonal health differently compared to men. One study noted that endurance and resistance exercise may influence testosterone, estradiol, and growth hormone compared to a control group. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, and is secreted by the adrenal glands. In menopausal women, this provides a reservoir of hormones from the adrenal glands. If  DHEA is lower than expected for the age of the woman, then she will often experience increased menopausal symptoms as there is less adrenal production to compensate for the decrease in ovarian production.

Even though testosterone has been shown to be likely safe in clinical trials lasting about two years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved its use in women. The problem is a lack of data and uncertainty regarding testosterone’s long-term safety in women. The main concerns relate to the risks of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Therefore, in the U.S., testosterone therapy for women is used as an off-label medication.

Several medications can also cause low testosterone in females as a side effect, like birth control pills, long-term use of corticosteroids, oral estrogen, statins, and opioids. Rare genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome, where males have an extra X chromosome, may also affect testosterone production. About 15% of men with fertility problems have low testosterone levels. People with low testosterone often experience a reduction in sex drive. Testosterone production can slow as a person ages, and many older people experience symptoms of low testosterone.

Testosterone therapy given via the skin also has less effect on blood pressure. One concern with oral testosterone therapy in men is increased risk of blood clots, which does not appear to be as much of a risk with skin application and is a theoretical risk in women. 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. It may also play a role in bone strength, making red blood cells, and more. Like your ovaries, your adrenal glands are a chief producer of testosterone (and other hormones).

Hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone, can interrupt the sleep-wake cycle. This can disrupt an individual’s natural sleeping patterns, potentially making it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Generally, most testosterone products are aimed towards male consumers, and therefore will likely contain amounts of testosterone that are too high for women. A disorder of the pituitary gland called hypopituitarism can also result in testosterone deficiency. Lower levels of estrogen may also increase your risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. This disorder causes cysts on your ovaries, which can trigger menstrual problems and infertility.

When a female reaches 30 years, testosterone levels start to decline by 1% each year. Weight loss and exercise can often increase testosterone levels naturally. Testosterone helps the body produce healthy red blood cells (RBCs). Low testosterone levels could lead to anemia, a blood disorder that may occur due to the decrease of RBCs. Current research shows that testosterone supplementation can drastically affect how women feel overall. They also see better results when exercising because muscle mass will increase and body fat will decrease when testosterone is in balance. Studies also report that women see an overall change in mood and are more motivated and energized.

Explore our content review principles to learn how we ensure the accuracy and quality of our health and lifestyle tips for every stage of your journey. While changes to the lifestyle and diet alone may not raise levels sufficiently, they can often help. Females may also experience specific low testosterone symptoms, such as the following. Testosterone helps stimulate the production of semen, and reduced semen levels can indicate a reduction in testosterone. Testosterone stimulates the penile tissues to produce nitric oxide, which starts several reactions that result in an erection. If levels of the hormone are too low, a man may not be able to get an erection. Testosterone helps to produce bone tissue and maintain bone volume.

Women with low testosterone often experience a loss of muscle mass and muscle tone, no longer seeing the results they expect when they lift weights. Much as it does in men, testosterone affects muscle mass production in women. Low testosterone in women is a real condition that can be just as physically debilitating as in men.

Unfortunately, a lot of women with hormone imbalances, including low testosterone, get lumped into a single category — PCOS. If you’re one of those women, you may experience one or more of these symptoms when levels dip, and yet feel mostly fine at others. New bone tissue is generated to repair the damage and keep the skeletal structure strong and healthy. Many women experience a vicious test anavar winstrol cycle (radioansiaes.pt) of progressive weight gain (possibly leading to obesity) as a symptom of low testosterone.