Testosterone therapy in women: Does it boost sex drive?

Testosterone Levels In Women

After menopause, women may experience low testosterone levels, which can lead to a decrease in sex drive, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass. 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.

So, keep reading to learn more about unhealthy levels of testosterone in women—including causes and symptoms, as well as how to check testosterone levels. If a woman has symptoms of high or low testosterone, it’s recommended that she visit a healthcare provider to get further testing and a diagnosis. Normal levels of testosterone may be achievable with hormone therapy and lifestyle adjustments.

While it’s true that there’s less research into testosterone for women than for men, there is still a lot of really good scientific studies out there, with more being conducted as we speak. Therefore, there is good quality research into testosterone for women, and we’ll only keep learning more as more researchers focus on this treatment option. 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. There is very little long-term safety data on testosterone therapy in women. Women who have too little estrogen hormones, including estrone, may develop osteoporosis.

“By the time a woman reaches 40, testosterone blood levels have declined significantly,” Dr. Dorr says. Many women with high testosterone levels will have irregular menses or no period at all. However, research reveals that some pre-menopausal women with high testosterone levels may be asymptomatic, meaning they never experience symptoms. The study looked at 10 individual symptoms, all of which significantly improved. The three symptoms most likely to improve were ‘loss of interest in most things’ (56% of women reported an improvement), ‘crying spells’ (55%), and ‘loss of interest in sex’ (52%). Mood and libido improved to a similar degree, suggesting that testosterone may have benefits beyond the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in postmenopausal women.

Some research suggests that low testosterone levels may affect fertility in women. This is because inadequate testosterone levels can disrupt ovarian function and menstrual cycles, potentially resulting in difficulty conceiving. If you experience sudden, unexplained weight gain, it may be worth getting your testosterone levels checked. Weight gain can lead to a number of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. By balancing testosterone levels, women can maintain energy levels throughout the day, making it easier to accomplish daily tasks and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In males, testosterone production is highest during puberty, triggering the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. In women, production of testosterone is highest during the reproductive years, then gradually declines over time.

Studies have found that testosterone stored in legs can help improve vaginal lubrication so it’s less dry and prone to tearing. Another side effect that can be a more significant cause for concern would be developing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS. This condition is caused by a hormonal imbalance and is often linked to higher levels of testosterone. Where this condition differs from other hormonal imbalances, though, is that it can actually lead to more severe issues like infertility or ovarian cysts. Don’t be afraid to talk with a doctor about the symptoms of decreased sex drive. We’ll address the problem at its source and start you on the path to feeling better.

Symptoms include irregular periods, reduced fertility, excess or coarse hair on the face, extremities, trunk and pubic area, male-pattern baldness, darkened, thick skin, weight gain, depression and anxiety. One treatment available for many of these problems is spironolactone, a special type of diuretic (water pill) that blocks the action of male sex hormones. It’s okay for testosterone levels to fluctuate for women in different stages of life. While there’s a clinical reference on “healthy” levels of testosterone, there’s no established information on the optimal range to diagnose abnormal levels in women. Before women start testosterone therapy, their health care providers should check baseline testosterone levels to make sure that they are not high to begin with. While on testosterone therapy, women should have testosterone levels checked once every six months.

Less than 1% of women experience hair loss while following BioTE protocols. The most common cause of hair loss in women is thyroid deficiency. Fortunately, the BioTE method also optimizes thyroid health to help ensure a whole-body approach to better health. Thrivelab offers personalized hormone replacement therapy with physicians who are committed to helping you feel your best. The process is simple and affordable and can be done from the comfort of your own home, thanks to telehealth visits and accessible patient care 24/7.

This may be explained by the local conversion of testosterone to estradiol without systemic exposure to estradiol, but this has not been confirmed. This points to the need for more studies before this therapy can be adopted in women with vulvovaginal atrophy. Estrogen promotes vasodilation, reduces the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, is anti-inflammatory, and thus promotes vascular health before menopause.