Testosterone in Women

 

 Testosterone is an anabolic steroid produced by both men and women. Anabolic simply means it helps to build you up. Although women have testosterone levels that are only one-tenth to one twelfth the levels of men, it is an important hormone for women.

 

Testosterone is usually the first hormone to decrease in women in the pre-menopause and may start to decline in your thirties even before progesterone and estrogen decline.

 

Testosterone has many beneficial effects in women. Its most well-known effect is restoring libido and improving the ability to orgasm. It can increase the size and sensitivity of the clitoris.

 

Other important benefits are improving mood, reducing depression, and increasing energy. It may help to reduce panic attacks.

 

Testosterone increases physical strength by building muscle and improving muscle tone. This is an important effect since many women lose upper body strength with age. It also reduces fat and cellulite and increases fat-free mass.

 

It can reduce aches, pains, and fibromyalgia. It also helps fight fatigue.

 

Testosterone increases the bone mineral density of the hip and spine preserving bone mass. It improves osteoporosis.

 

Testosterone is a controlled prescription medication and must be administered as a cream or gel through the skin because oral testosterone can be toxic to the liver. Testosterone should not be taken by women in the absence of adequate estrogen levels because it may increase heart disease.

 

Testosterone applied to the clitoris can improve sexual sensitivity. Estriol and testosterone applied to the vaginal area can improve tissue quality and treat urinary leakage. Taking hormones transdermally can help urinary leakage as well.

 

As with all other bio-identical hormone treatments, the effects of testosterone must be monitored by a physician. Signs of too much testosterone are oily skin, acne, over-developed muscles, excess body odor, greasy hair, exaggerated aggression, and disruptive sexual desire.

 

When I first started testosterone, I got two speeding tickets in one month. At that point I stopped using it for a few weeks and started again at a lower dose. I have found testosterone to be helpful in overcoming panic attacks and fears (Is this why men are brave?) and helps increase emotional shield.

 

Testosterone has a place in all balance hormone replacement programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed this post? Subscribe via RSS or Email