There is a lot of information about the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy for men. All the while, the many symptoms of low testosterone that affect men are the same symptoms that occur in women who have low testosterone.

The truth is, testosterone is not a “male only” hormone. Women need it in appropriate amounts and optimized to maintain good health. Testosterone’s role in women’s health also goes well beyond sex drive and libido. Androgen receptors, which are activated by testosterone, are located in almost all tissues, including the breast, heart, blood vessels, GI tract, lung, brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, uterus, bladder, ovary, vaginal tissue, endocrine glands, skin, bone, bone marrow, synovium, muscle, and adipose tissue.

In as early as 1937, testosterone was used to successfully treat the symptoms of menopause, and there is a long history of using testosterone to treat mood swings, anxiety, depression, fatigue, bone loss, muscle loss, poor memory, and hot flashes as well as sexual dysfunction.

There is also substantial evidence that testosterone is cardiac protective and has a beneficial effect on lean body mass, glucose metabolism, and lipid profiles in men and women.

Causes

Testosterone decreases naturally as a woman ages. Levels of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, also reduce over time. When a woman reaches menopause, testosterone drops along with the other hormones because the ovaries are producing fewer hormones.

Other potential causes of low testosterone include environmental factors, diet, lack of sleep, long-term birth control or synthetic hormone use, and problems with the ovaries or adrenal glands.

Diagnosis

Any treatment for hormonal deficiencies should start with a comprehensive laboratory analysis and examination by a qualified practitioner. Determining hormone levels requires only a simple blood test. Those results, along with your symptoms, will help your practitioner determine the best dosing to restore and optimize your hormonal levels.

Recognizing the Symptoms is the First Step:

  • Fatigue

  • Mood Swings and/or Depression/Anxiety

  • Weight Gain

  • Decreased Muscle Mass

  • Poor Sleep or Insomnia

  • Poor Memory, Poor Concentration or Foggy Thinking

  • Decreased Libido (Sex Drive) and Sexual Dysfunction

  • Hot or Cold Flashes / Night Sweats

  • Saggy, Wrinkled or Crepe-like Thin Skin

  • Scalp Hair Loss, Hair Growth on Face
  • Vaginal Dryness/Painful Intercourse
  • Osteoporosis

What about side effects and safety?

Many of the side effects and safety concerns attributed to testosterone are from the use of synthetic analogs and supraphysiologic dosing — using the wrong kind or too much — or are secondary to the increased conversion to estradiol and the effects at the estrogen receptor. This is why it is very important to continue to monitor hormone levels for both sexes and to adjust dosages accordingly.  

Peak Medical Treatment Options

Many of the symptoms of low testosterone occur in both men and women. Hormone deficiency is diagnosed with a simple blood test and a comprehensive examination.

Treatment options include topical creams, lozenges, injections, or pellets. These treatments offer the same benefits and effects for women as they do for men: raising energy levels, increasing lean muscle mass, improving sleep, and increasing sex drive.

Effective treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Peak Medical will customize a plan for you and will continue to monitor and adjust to keep you at your optimal levels while allowing you to experience life at your PEAK.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or simply want to determine where your levels are, give us a call at 435-602-1034.