Low Testosterone In Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Low Testosterone In Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Do you think you have low testosterone or suffer from a hormone imbalance? At Nava Health, we want to unlock a healthier you and help you feel your personal 100%. We offer you customized and holistic care, so don’t be afraid to contact us for a consultation today. We always look at your overall health before prescribing any treatment.

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.

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 levels peak in a woman’s 20s but then slowly decline after, and by the time a woman reaches the menopause, her testosterone levels are at half of their peak. As surprising as it may be, women can also be bothered by symptoms of testosterone deficiency. For example, problem with function of pituitary gland or adrenal glands may lead to reduced testosterone production. Affected women may experience low libido, reduced bone strength, poor concentration or depression.

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.

Generally, total testosterone levels in women should be between ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). However, the reference range can vary between different laboratories and testing methods. High female testosterone levels are also linked with an increased risk of infertility. [12] Additionally, post-menopausal women with elevated testosterone may be more likely to experience insulin resistance, which can make developing diabetes more likely. Testosterone hormone therapy can boost sexual desire in both a pre-menopausal and post-menopausal woman.

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. It also has other roles, including stimulating the growth of pubic hair and arm hair, and oil production (sebum in the skin and the hair).

In males, hypogonadism, a condition where the testicles produce little or no testosterone, may occur at any age. Psychosexual counseling is another avenue that can help women and their partners understand how the mind and body interplay with regards to intimacy. It’s imperative you speak with a doctor before starting any testosterone medications or supplements. Women who are pregnant should not take androgens, and those that are breastfeeding are strongly recommended against androgen therapy until no longer breastfeeding. These are all symptoms of low testosterone, so if you answered yes to more than one of the questions, it’s time to visit your doctor. We’ll explore BHRT as a solution shortly, but first, let’s dive into the causes and effects of low testosterone in women.