Testosterone is also a female sex hormone. Total hormone replacement means restoring the natural balance of all hormones to the levels of our physical and mental peaks. For women, this also includes Testosterone. Even though many women take Estrogen and Progesterone, they still do not feel like their youthful selves. This is secondary to the lack of another sex hormone Testosterone. Even though testosterone is widely known as a male hormone, it is also a critically important hormone for women in that it plays a crucial role in the physical and emotional health of women.
Androgens are commonly called “male” hormones. They are Testosterone, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), and Androstenedione. As you age your ovaries produce less Testosterone. One percent of the testosterone that you make is free, the rest is bound to Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. Women with increased Androgens have more free Testosterone.
Testosterone does the following things in your body:
- Increases sexual interest (86% of women state they have a decrease in sexual interest with menopause)
- Increases sense of emotional well-being, self-confidence, and motivation
- Increases muscle mass and strength
- Helps maintain memory
- Increases muscle tone so your skin does not sag
- Decreases Excess body fat
- Decreases bone deterioration and helps maintain bone strength
- Elevates norepinephrine in the brain which has the same effects as taking a tricyclic antidepressant
The following are symptoms of Testosterone loss:
- Muscle wasting despite adequate calorie and protein intake
- Weight gain and decline in muscle tone
- Fatigue, decreased energy
- Low self-esteem
- Decreased HDL (good cholesterol)
- Decreased sex drive
- Mild depression
- Less dreaming
- Dry, thin skin, with poor eleaticity
- Loss of pubic hair
- Thinning and dry hair
- Droopy eyelids
- Sagging cheeks
- Thin lips
- Hypersensitive, hyper-emotional states
- Anxiety
Low Testosterone is due to the following:
- Menopause
- Chemotherapy
- Surgical menopause
- Adrenal stress or burnout
- Endometriosis
- Depression
- Psychological trauma
- Birth control pills
- Cholesterol lowering medications called HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors, such as Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor, Pravachol and others are all anti-androgens (will lower testosterone)
Important facts:
- Women need Testosterone if they are deficient.
- Estrogen is needed to help Testosterone work.
- Testosterone should be given with estrogen. If given alone, Testosterone can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Natural Testosterone is a better preparation. Synthetic Testosterone has been linked to cancer of the liver.
- Excessive Testosterone can cause symptoms and disease.
