Effects of Female Testosterone Levels

Why Women May Need Testosterone Replacement Therapy

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.

It’s important to note that the normal ranges for testosterone levels can vary based on the type of blood test done and the laboratory where it is done. Your provider will always reference your laboratory’s normal ranges when interpreting your results. As testosterone in your blood increases, it suppresses the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which helps maintain normal levels of testosterone. Once women are started on testosterone therapy, improvement in sexual symptoms — if it is going to occur — will take about four weeks, with maximum results in about 12 weeks. However, if there is no change in sexual function six months later, testosterone therapy should be discontinued, and other reasons for the sexual problems should be explored. Even though testosterone has been shown to be likely safe in clinical trials lasting about two years, the U.S.

The latter is seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome, perhaps due to high testosterone production in the ovaries. In other cases, serum testosterone levels are normal, despite the hirsutism, perhaps because of enhanced 5-alpha-reductase activity. Hirsutism risk is 10.7% in women taking testosterone, vs. 6.6% with those on placebo. As shown by the lack of correlation between serum testosterone levels and peripheral androgen production, it is difficult to say exactly what level is considered androgen deficiency in women. Liquid or gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry are the most accurate methods for total testosterone assays, followed by radioimmunoassay.

In both women and men, testosterone can act on its own or be converted into estrogen. Learn about the details, risks, and advantages of pellet hormone replacement therapy. Learn about the alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and how they may help reduce the symptoms of menopause. Learn about the impact of elevated estrogen levels in males and how this can be managed. Reduced testosterone levels can lead to less lubrication, causing potential dryness and pain during sexual intercourse. Testosterone helps to regulate energy levels because it influences muscle mass and metabolism — two factors that impact our energy.

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.

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 (https://saf-enneagramme.fr/wp-content/pgs/?trenbolone_achat_2.html). Numerous diseases or disorders can cause hormonal changes in women.

Working with a team of specialists, your reproductive health doctor will help identify or rule out underlying conditions and medical treatments that are known to decrease libido. While low-T treatments aren’t the cure-all they claim to be, there are effective treatments to restore sexual desire and improve your quality of life. UT Southwestern’s Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialists follow a three-step process to identify and address the root cause of low libido. One in three women struggle with low sexual desire, and most patients start noticing libido changes after menopause. However, low libido can occur at any age and is often caused by problems that aren’t directly linked with the bedroom, such as anxiety, stress, medications, or undiagnosed chronic conditions. Because of this, at certain times during a woman’s lifespan, testosterone levels measure up to 10 times higher than estrogen levels.

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The most common causes of high testosterone levels in women are hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. 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.