The testosterone levels in females fluctuate throughout their lives, during the menstrual cycle, and during different times of the daytime. Low levels of testosterone can impact the creation of new blood cells, sexual drive and various other hormone levels.
Testosterone is a member of a family of hormones referred to as androgens. Testosterone levels impact:
- fertility
- Sex drive
- Production of red blood cells
- Muscle mass and fat distribution
Many people think of testosterone as a masculine sex hormone. However, everyone needs some quantity. While males are more testosterone-loving than females, female adrenal glands and ovaries make small amounts of testosterone.
According to researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, females should have 15-70 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter (ng/dl) of testosterone in their blood. There are no definitive guidelines regarding what is classified as “low” testosterone levels in females.
Symptoms
Low testosterone can trigger some or all of these symptoms in females:
- Sluggishness
- Muscle weakness
- fatigue
- sleep disturbances
- less sexual drive
- lower satisfaction with sexual desire
- weight gain
- Fertility problems
- menstrual cycle irregular
- Vaginal dryness
- Loss of bone mass
It is important to realize that study in this field is very limited.
The symptoms associated with low testosterone are quite widespread; a doctor may examine for signs of other conditions or issues before making an assessment.
The doctor could test for:
- depression
- anxiety
- stress that is chronic stress
- thyroid disease
- transition into menopausal
Causes low testosterone
The two most common causes of low testosterone are
- Lower levels of this hormone are a normal consequence of menopausal and aging
- issues with the ovaries, pituitary or adrenal glands.
Testosterone decreases naturally as women age. Other hormones, like estrogen, are also reduced in time, especially after the female goes through menopause.
When the menopausal cycle starts, women could become more likely to experience lower testosterone levels because Ovaries produce fewer hormones.
In addition, medications that help combat the negative effects of menopausal change may lower testosterone levels. One such medication includes oral estrogen.
Issues related to problems with Ovaries and adrenal glandsTrusted Source and adrenal glandsTrusted may also lead to low amounts of testosterone. Females could have lower levels of testosterone if the ovaries in her are gone by surgery, for instance, or if she suffers from adrenal insufficiency. That means that adrenal glands don’t function properly.
Diagnosis low testosterone
There is a shortage of research on treating females with low testosterone. Numerous doctors are more concerned with excessively high testosterone levels.
In 2014, a task group suggested routinely measuring testosterone levels in females since research has not yet been able to establish a connection between testosterone and the symptoms.
If a woman experiences some signs described above, a physician will likely look into other, more frequent ailments first.
To determine if females have low testosterone, doctors will begin with an examination and ask about any signs. If the physician suspects a problem with testosterone levels, they’ll order an analysis of blood.
If a woman hasn’t yet reached menopausal age, The doctor will suggest the ideal moment to test testosterone levels. The reason for this is that they change throughout menstrual cycles.
Treatment low testosterone
Some estrogen replacement drugs contain testosterone.
However, the amount of testosterone contained in the drug might not be sufficient to boost levels, or the body might not be able to absorb them.
Doctors may prescribe testosterone injections or pellets, believing that these treatments will produce the same effects on males as they do on males. That includes increasing energy levels, reducing fatigue, and increasing sexual drive.
However, many doctors suggest females avoid taking testosterone. Also, doctors from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved a few testosterone-based therapies for females. This is due to the adverse consequences may be:
- hair loss
- acne
- excessive facial hair
- a deepening voice
- An expanded of the clitoris
In 2014, the task group recommended against treating women with low testosterone levels because there was no evidence. However, they made an exception that females suffering from an illness known as the hypoactive sexual desire syndrome should be treated.
A doctor might instead suggest alternative treatments to treat symptoms of females with low testosterone. The treatments and lifestyle modifications may include:
- Sex therapy
- Taking steps to reduce stress
- sleeping enough
- eating a healthful diet
- taking over-the-counter dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements
DHEA is a steroid hormone also made by the adrenal glands. Supplements are also available for purchase on the internet. It is recommended that the Endocrine Society advise against the routine use of DHEA. However, research still proves it is effective and safe in the long run.
The adverse effects associated with DHEA supplementation could be similar to the effects of excessive testosterone.
Takeaway
Doctors and researchers don’t fully understand the impact of testosterone deficiency in females or the best way to deal with the problem.
Testosterone levels alter as one age and may decrease as women approach menopause.
If a female is suffering from symptoms of low testosterone levels, the results of an ocular test can assist doctors in identifying the problem.
Don’t use testosterone replacement therapy without the advice of a physician. Replacement therapies and supplements can create more negative adverse effects than they ease.
Leave a Comment