Surprising Fact: Women Can Suffer from “Low T”, Too!
Most people think of testosterone as an exclusively male hormone – and are surprised to learn that women’s bodies also require a certain amount of testosterone to function properly. While men do indeed produce much more testosterone than women, the adrenal glands and ovaries in the female body also produce small amounts of testosterone. In fact, women’s bodies also utilize testosterone to produce a form of the female hormone estrogen called estradiol.
We’ve all seen those TV infomercials and advertisements pitching remedies to men with so-called “Low T”. And there’s big money made by these “snake oil salesman” because low testosterone is an essential component in male sexual desire and performance – so many men are willing to try these “miracle cures” at any cost. However, you never ever see the same “Low T” commercials aimed at women!
The reality is that both men and women can suffer from low testosterone levels – but only medical hormone replacement therapy can restore “Low T” levels to optimal levels in either gender.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
Testosterone levels are believed to have a direct influence on a woman’s:
- fertility
- libido
- production of red blood cells
- fat distribution on the body
- ability to build muscle
- bone density
So, when a woman experiences low testosterone levels, she may not produce enough new blood cells, she may lose interest in sex, and can potentially also experience a decline in other reproductive hormones causing fertility issues.
A woman with low testosterone may also feel fatigued and lethargic, experience sleep difficulties, gain weight, lose muscle mass, and experience vaginal dryness and or loss of bone density.
With so many serious side effects to low testosterone levels in women, it is essential that these missing or depleted hormones by restored to optimal levels.
Causes of Low Testosterone in Women
There are four primary causes of low testosterone in women:
- menopause and aging
- problems with the ovaries, pituitary glands or adrenal glands
- oral estrogen therapy for menopause
- genetics
Testosterone levels naturally decline as a woman ages. As the female body reaches menopause the ovaries produce fewer hormones. Most women realize that estrogen levels will decline over time – putting an end to monthly cycles and the ability to conceive. But the ovaries are also a primary producer of testosterone in women.
Medical problems with the adrenal or pituitary glands can also cause lowered levels of testosterone in women. And, a woman will also experience reduced levels of testosterone if her ovaries have been removed.
Recent research has also suggested that taking oral estrogen medications to combat the side effects of menopause can also lower a woman’s testosterone levels.
Finally, recent research has also shown that low testosterone in certain women may be due to a genetic component in which the patient is deficient in enzymes that process DHEA and DHEA-S into testosterone.
Diagnosing Low Testosterone in Women
To diagnose low testosterone in women, a doctor who is familiar with hormone balancing will conduct a physical exam and inquire about the patient’s symptoms. If low testosterone (or any other hormone deficiency) is a possibility, comprehensive blood testing will be ordered.
The hormone replacement experts at SottoPelle® in Phoenix, AZ (or SottoPelle® providers in other states) can conduct thorough blood tests to measure your testosterone (and other hormone) levels – to determine if a hormone imbalance is the underlying cause of your symptoms.
How Women Can Benefit from Testosterone Replacement
Many women can benefit from taking testosterone replacement therapy – in doses custom tailored to the female body’s needs. Testosterone replacement may, in some case, not only help to enhance libido, but may also provide benefits in terms of muscle strength, bone density, and mood stabilization.
While hormone replacement therapy is not a “cure” for every disease, there are very real, clinically proven benefits to restoring female hormone balance that extend far beyond relieving the symptoms of menopause.
Customized SottoPelle Method hormone replacement is not a “one-size-fits all” solution– but rather ensures that the optimal personalized dosages are administered for symptom relief and improved health and wellbeing through customized dosing.
Additionally, only “bioidentical” hormones, such as those used in the SottoPelle Method, exactly replicate the molecular structure of the hormones produced by a woman’s body. So, they are not only more effective, but also much safer and free of many of the side effects of synthetic hormones.
Testosterone Replacement for Women | Phoenix, AZ
If low testosterone is at the root of your symptoms, a simple single time-released hormone pallet treatment in our Phoenix area office can alleviate these problems for up to 4 months.
If you are interested in learning whether you may be suffering from low testosterone, or another hormone imbalance, consult with your physician – or schedule an appointment with the providers at SottoPelle in the Phoenix, AZ area today. If you live outside of the greater Phoenix area, you can also find a physician in your area who is highly trained in hormone replacement using our Physician Finder HERE.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.