Low testosterone in women: Signs, causes, and treatments

Low Testosterone in Women: Causes and Treatments

If this is the case then fear not, as one medical expert has outlined everyday symptoms of low testosterone and how you can amend it. A doctor has highlighted the major signs of low testosterone to keep an eye out for on a day-to-day basis. Explore guide about best sex positions to naturally induce labor in a safe and effective way. Fact checked At Femia Health, we maintain the highest standards of editorial excellence in delivering content focused on helping you conceive, guiding you through pregnancy, and supporting you postpartum.

The time leading up to this milestone is known as perimenopause, during which you’ll see changes to your periods. Dr. Pat Bass is a board certified general internist and pediatrician at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, and the chief medical information officer at LSU Health-Shreveport. He spent the last 12 years heavily involved in resident education and leadership for his department, including the last eight years as urology residency program director. He currently serves as the director of urologic education for the preclinical and clinical rotations for the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Phoenix, Arizona, campus.

Low testosterone is often hard to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other conditions like depression, thyroid issues or low iron (anemia). Testosterone is an androgen (sex hormone) produced in your ovaries and adrenal glands. Low testosterone levels can affect your mood, libido and musculoskeletal health. But, even though PCOS dominates the conversation, it’s not the only condition behind androgen excess.

Surgical removal of ovaries or damage from chemotherapy significantly reduces testosterone. Likewise, adrenal glands contribute to testosterone production. Conditions like adrenal insufficiency can cause decreased levels. Your pituitary gland, responsible for hormone release, also affects testosterone. Inadequate hormone production due to hypopituitarism can result in lowered levels. Women who have undergone bilateral oophorectomy are likely to face significant drops in testosterone, as the ovaries are primary sources of the hormone. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can impair ovarian function, further decreasing testosterone production.

There are also finger prick blood tests available that you can do at home to get an indication of your testosterone level. NHS GPs will likely refer you to an endocrinologist if yours is low. The most common scenario Dr Foster sees in his practice is a man aged 35-plus describing feelings of being more tired, maybe struggling to get through the day without relying on caffeine. This is why health professionals will check your levels multiple times, at least 4 weeks apart. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s of public health in nutrition from Tulane University.

With this in mind, it can be difficult to ensure that one test’s results are indicative of an ongoing problem. For the best results and the most consistent reporting, women should be tested 8 to 20 days after the menstrual period begins. Doctors and researchers still do not fully understand how low testosterone levels affect females or how best to treat the deficiency. Also, medications that address the side effects of menopause can lower testosterone levels. However, many females with low testosterone levels do not experience these symptoms. Healthcare professionals consider a person’s symptoms when diagnosing low testosterone levels, but they may need to take a blood test for a conclusive diagnosis.

With better understanding, better care, and a stronger voice for women’s health, we can ensure that hormonal symptoms are taken seriously – and treated with the urgency and compassion they deserve. Furthermore, GPs often don’t screen for testosterone levels, which he describes as “a perfect storm of underdiagnosis”. The only way to change this, he concludes, is to destigmatise discussions about TD and get men educated around their own hormonal health. He graduated with a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. Testosterone pellets are very popular, and many women swear by them, but they are not recommended by most menopause experts.

Once you know the symptoms of low-t, you’ll be much better equipped to spot the signs and tackle the issue. You will be able to eliminate your symptoms sooner and reduce the amount of time that you have to live with the symptoms of low testosterone in women. DHEA is a steroid hormone that comes from the adrenal glands. However, researchers have yet to prove that supplementation is safe and effective in the long term.

And just as happens for men, women’s testosterone levels drop as they age. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that involves supplementing the body with bioidentical hormones to address hormonal imbalances. These hormones are structurally identical to the hormones your body naturally produces, which means they blend in seamlessly with your hormonal ecosystem. Testosterone is also the hormone behind desire and arousal with your partner. Lack of sleep, diet choices, and even environmental toxins can affect our hormone levels from day to day. And if you’re a woman, your hormone levels will also change during your menstrual cycle. Beyond physical effects, low testosterone levels might influence your emotional and psychological well-being.

These off-label testosterone therapies have been used for decades. Your doctor may suggest using an off-label testosterone patch or cream. Symptoms of low testosterone can be subtle, Dr. Yogi-Morren says. As DHEA is a precursor to testosterone, taking a supplement may help your body create testosterone. DHEA is available without a prescription but isn’t regulated by the FDA.