Why Would Women Need Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone and Womens Health

In addition, low progesterone levels can cause too-high levels of estrogen, which can decrease sex drive, contribute to weight gain, or cause gallbladder problems. Progesterone prepares the endometrium for the potential of pregnancy after ovulation. It also prohibits the muscle contractions in the uterus that would cause the body to reject an egg. While the body is producing high levels of progesterone, the body will not ovulate. If the woman does not become pregnant, the corpus luteum breaks down, lowering the progesterone levels in the body. If the body does conceive, progesterone continues to stimulate the body to provide the blood vessels in the endometrium that will feed the growing fetus. The hormone also prepares the limit of the uterus further so it can accept the fertilized egg.

Studies have shown that women who consume enough zinc can have higher testosterone levels than those who don’t. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, beef, spinach, and pumpkin seeds. Studies have shown that women who engage in regular physical activity have temporarily higher testosterone levels than those who are sedentary. Consider strength training, which has been shown to shilajit boost testosterone testosterone levels in women.

For 100 years, the Endocrine Society has been at the forefront of hormone science and public health. Read about our history and how we continue to serve the endocrine community. Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

Testosterone levels are measured and reported as nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). In comparison, normal testosterone levels for men ages 19 years and older are typically between 240–950 ng/dL. The 2024 NICE Menopause guidelines say that testosterone can be considered for menopausal women with low sexual desire – if HRT alone has not been effective [1]. Late-onset male hypogonadism happens when the decline in testosterone levels is linked to general aging and/or age-related conditions, particularly obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Late-onset hypogonadism affects about 2% of men over the age of 40.

This test measures the level of the hormone testosterone in your blood. Testosterone is a male sex hormone (androgen) that helps male features develop. Testosterone is made in the testes in males, the ovaries in females, and in the adrenal glands. Its main function is to mature and then maintain the reproductive system. During the menstrual cycle, increased estradiol levels cause the maturation and release of the egg, as well as the thickening of the uterus lining to allow a fertilized egg to implant.

This therapy replaces depleted levels of testosterone for women using bioidentical testosterone, which is identical to testosterone produced in your body. Menopausal women often experience a decline in their testosterone levels; however, the severity of this decline can depend on adrenal health. If adrenal health is good, testosterone levels can be maintained for longer. The main differences are the amount of testosterone that men and women produce and the production site. Men, in general, have 10 to 20 times higher testosterone levels than women.

For example, anxiety can significantly affect the desire for sex – women are approximately twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety before age 50. And women are more likely to report physical symptoms of stress that can interfere with sex drive, such as headache or upset stomach. It is typically applied to the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream, where it can increase testosterone levels. Women have naturally low levels of testosterone, and these levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. Testosterone peaks during ovulation and remains elevated during the last half of the menstrual cycle.

Active testosterone is found in blood, unbound and bound to serum albumin. Increased SHBG levels reflect in lower levels of active testosterone and vice versa. High testosterone levels in people with vulvas, also known as hyperandrogenism, can result in symptoms such as acne, excess body hair, and mood changes. If a female has not yet reached menopause, the doctor is likely to advise on the best time to test testosterone levels. There is currently a lack of research into the treatment of low testosterone in females. Many doctors are much more concerned about high testosterone levels. Treatment for low testosterone can be controversial because low testosterone in females hasn’t been well-studied.

Also, keep in mind that if you’re experiencing high testosterone, it’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider to learn what their recommendation is. Generally, most testosterone products are aimed towards male consumers, and therefore will likely contain amounts of testosterone that are too high for women. Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott says, “SHBG is like a bus that transports hormones around the body. So, if you have high levels of SHBG in your body, this binds to testosterone and the actual amount of free testosterone available to your tissue decreases. They travel from one organ or another place in the body, usually through the bloodstream, and affect many different bodily processes. In regard to therapies for women with low T levels, there is very limited research on the topic.