Low Testosterone in Women : Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

When women don’t have enough testosterone, it can lead to several symptoms. If you suspect that you may have low testosterone, book an appointment with one of our expert hormone specialists at The Marion Gluck Clinic. You will then be able to undergo the appropriate investigations to diagnose and treat your hormonal issues, and get back on track to feeling like the best version of yourself. During TRT, your hormones will be closely monitored, and your consultant will ensure any reactions to the treatment – negative or positive – are noted and your treatment tailored accordingly, if necessary. Testosterone for women plays a role in embryonic development during pregnancy.

Lower levels of testosterone in women can impact this brain structure and result in hot flashes. Too much estrogen can cause your sex drive to drop and your weight to go up, particularly around your waist and hips. You also may experience changes to your periods — with bleeding either lighter or heavier than normal and your cycle’s timing becoming unpredictable. Women and people AFAB with low body fat often do not make enough of the sex hormones. You may also experience low estrogen if you have been given certain drugs.

This thorough approach provides crucial insights into the root causes of your hormonal imbalances, guiding them to prescribe the most suitable and targeted treatment approach. Big hormonal swings, such as fluctuations in testosterone, can affect women’s metabolic function. BHRT aims to stabilize testosterone levels, supporting women in achieving and sustaining a more regulated metabolism and consistent weight. Reduced bone density and muscle mass are important indicators of low testosterone, though not always easy to notice. On this page, we will go over the benefits of BHRT for women and its role in restoring testosterone levels. We’ll provide valuable insights into the different ways BHRT can be administered to suit individual needs and lifestyles, as well as the initial process of getting started on a BHRT prescription. While it’s known that many men with low testosterone levels, often referred to as T levels, can be asymptomatic, the effects of low testosterone in women are not as well studied.

Your treatment plan will be based on your needs and the results of your assessments. Most patients will see positive results from getting treatment for the specific condition causing their symptoms. Some need a more tailored approach, such as adjusting mental health medications or participating in longer-term counseling sessions before desire returns.

BHRT is different from mass-produced hormone therapies because it uses naturally sourced ingredients, transforming them into hormones structurally identical to your body’s own. This unique approach offers a gentler method of restoring hormonal balance. This means it’s just as essential for women dealing with low testosterone to find a sustainable solution that restores their natural levels. Achieving and maintaining hormonal balance is a vital aspect of optimizing various biological functions and enhancing overall well-being. But in reality, testosterone is just as important for women’s physical, mental, and sexual health as it is for men.

Changes in the menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods or the absence of menstruation, can also be indicative of low testosterone levels in women. The question of androgen deficiency has largely been ignored in pre-menopausal women. Testosterone levels have usually been measured in this population only when looking for excess production in women complaining of facial hair, loss of scalp hair, infertility, or acne. Women of various ages may experience low testosterone levels due to factors such as stress, medical conditions, or surgical removal of the ovaries. Symptoms of low testosterone in women vary, not only relating to libido, but can also include fatigue, bone and muscle loss, depression, and cognitive changes.

Testosterone therapy is recommended for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women. Some doctors may use it off-label for other medical conditions like depression. If your body doesn’t get enough of a hormone called testosterone, you may have low levels. But how low does testosterone make you emotional impacts women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) isn’t clear. Testosterone levels affect fertility, sex drive, red blood cell production, muscle mass, and fat distribution.

We said, up top, that this would be a solution we’d suggest, if appropriate for you. The best way to find out if your testosterone levels are low is to talk with your healthcare provider. Your testosterone levels naturally change throughout your life, during your menstrual cycle, and even throughout a normal day. But there are instances when your testosterone levels can significantly drop below normal and stay there. Unless your provider asks you to test at a specific time of day during a specific point in your menstrual cycle, you may not get an accurate result.

“There is not a lab value on traditional labs that’s specific for women and testosterone. There’s not even a diagnostic code for suboptimal testosterone for women. We get to be the pioneers of testosterone health through hormone replacement therapy” says Meeker.

Many treatment methods for low testosterone are unregulated and not widely studied. Only you and your healthcare provider can decide what’s best for you based on your symptoms and bloodwork. In women, low testosterone levels can be caused by various factors. Menopause is a natural process that occurs as women age and involves a decline in hormone production, including testosterone. These medications may suppress natural hormone production or alter the balance of hormones in the body. This product is available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores in the United States. Patients can take it off the shelves (eg, Your Life), as such products do not require a prescription.