Good Healthcare Requires Treatment of Your Mind, Body, and Soul

Struggling With Depression And Fatigue? Low Testosterone Can Affect Women Too

8 June 2020 by Hugh Larson

While testosterone is significant for male sexual development and estrogen to female sexual development, men and women do actually produce both hormones. Small quantities of testosterone are released by the adrenal glands and the ovaries in women. Although low testosterone levels seem to be solely a male problem, women can have these hormone imbalances too. If you are struggling with fatigue and depression, you may want to have your levels checked. Read on to learn more about how low testosterone can affect women and how to treat the issue.

Why Do Women Need Testosterone?

Testosterone enhances libido, helps the body create new blood cells, and helps the body maintain muscle mass and bone density. If testosterone levels are too low, then a woman might experience lethargy, muscle weakness, and depression.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

There are lots of potential causes. As women age, their hormone levels naturally decrease — especially after menopause.

Women suffering from adrenal insufficiency may also have low testosterone levels. Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones, like aldosterone. People with adrenal insufficiency may have low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and dark skin patches.

Stressful events can also affect hormone levels, as cortisol — a fight-or-flight hormone — can dampen testosterone production.

How Can You Treat Low Levels?

You'll first need to get a diagnosis from your doctor. They will need to order a blood draw.

Although testosterone levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, these fluctuations shouldn't be large enough to affect your lab results. However, it is important to try and have your blood drawn early in the morning if possible because testosterone levels naturally decline throughout the day.

Once your doctor receives your lab results, they can go over them with you to see if you need to be treated for low hormone levels or if you need to explore other potential issues.

If you do have low testosterone, your doctor may prescribe a type of testosterone replacement therapy. For example, they may have you go to a compounding pharmacy to get a testosterone cream or boosting supplements. Compounding pharmacies tailor dosage strength to the patient instead of prescribing standardized weights like you would with other medications. This customization is good for hormone therapy since every person has unique levels and you don't want to take too much testosterone for your needs.

Your doctor may prescribe a cream or gel for hormone replacement. To make sure that you get the right amount each day, the cream will come in a pump that will distribute the same dosage each time you use it. This type of cream can usually be applied to the arms or shoulders — but your doctor can show you which places are all right for application depending on the type of therapy you use.

Contact a testosterone replacement therapy physician in your area today for more information.

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