Testosterone therapy in women: Does it boost sex drive?

Testosterone: What It Is, Function & Levels

In recent years, researchers (and pharmaceutical companies) have focused on the effects of testosterone deficiency, especially among men. In fact, as men age, testosterone levels drop very gradually, about 1% to 2% each year — unlike the relatively rapid drop in estrogen that causes menopause. The testes produces less testosterone, there are fewer signals from the pituitary telling the testes to make testosterone. Also, as men get older, their livers make more sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. Like other hormone types, there’s a chance that someone can have abnormal testosterone levels. High levels of testosterone in females may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal tumors, ovarian tumors, or hermaphroditism (having both female and male sex organs).

In women, too much estradiol has been linked to acne, constipation, loss of sex drive, and depression. If the levels are extremely high, they can increase the risk of uterine and breast cancer as well as cardiovascular disease. Women with high estradiol levels may experience weight gain and menstrual problems.

Just like hair growth, hair loss can also be an unexpected side effect of high testosterone in women. When the hormone is off-kilter, it can interfere with the production of estrogen, which helps keep our hair follicles healthy. As a result, you may notice thinning or balding patches on your scalp.

As women age, levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones, begin to fluctuate. Estrogen tends to become dominant and this can often lead to weight gain. Excess testosterone can convert to estrogen thus causing that weight gain. ConclusionAndrogen deficiency is a true medical condition in both pre- and post-menopausal women. The most important recommendation is to listen to the patient and consider androgen deficiency when the symptoms are present, even if they seem non-specific. Treatment with androgens has to be monitored carefully because of the possible harmful effects of excessive levels of testosterone.

The claim is often made that pre-menopausal women have more testosterone in their bloodstream than estrogen, to justify the need best doctor for testosterone treatment (bodegascrial.es) testosterone replacement after menopause. Learn about the link between hormones and weight, including how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to aid weight loss. While research on this is limited, there is some evidence to suggest that low testosterone levels may impact cognitive functions — such as memory and mental clarity — in women. As mentioned above, testosterone plays an important role in many functions in the body. So, a deficiency of this hormone would naturally cause unpleasant symptoms and health problems. At Thrivelab, we understand how important it is to help patients find solutions to their symptoms. That’s why we provide bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help you take back your health and get back to living the life you love.

Women with a history of breast cancer, severe liver disease, or severe deep vein phlebitis should not take androgens, as a certain amount of testosterone will be converted to estrogen. This treatment is also contraindicated during pregnancy, since testosterones, and even its precursor DHEA, cross the placenta and may cause changes in the genitals of the fetus. Special caution should be used when treating women of childbearing age. In addition to low libido and pain during sexual intercourse, other symptoms of low testosterone in women can show up as menopause-like issues, including irregular periods, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes. Low testosterone can also cause loss of muscle mass as well as weight gain, especially around the abdomen. As with other hormone issues like estrogen and progesterone deficiency, testosterone imbalance can lead to osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and depression.

However, women who have high dihydrotestosterone levels may have issues with excess body and facial hair. A dihydrotestosterone inhibitor may be able to help restore natural levels of the dihydrotestosterone hormone. Numerous diseases or disorders can cause hormonal changes in women.

High levels of testosterone in female infants may lead to enlargement of their clitoris that can look almost like a penis. It can also lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of eight. Natural testosterone is a steroid — an anabolic-androgenic steroid.