Testosterone Therapy for Women: Benefits, Side Effects, and More

Are you suffering from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

According to research, 43% of women report that hormones have negatively affected their well-being. 

Hormones play a greater role in the body than just regulating your menstrual cycle. They govern multiple functions, including muscle development, bone mass maintenance, and more.

Low testosterone can leave you feeling low, devoid of energy, irritable, and anxious. 

Testosterone therapy for women offers an effective way to combat these effects.

Are you wondering whether testosterone replacement therapy is right for you? Continue reading to learn more.

Why Women Need Testosterone

Testosterone is largely considered a male sex hormone. Men naturally have higher levels of testosterone. Women have naturally higher levels of estrogen.

Testosterone is primarily responsible for what we commonly associate with male traits. Such as facial hair and more muscle development.

However, testosterone for women is just as important as it is for men. Testosterone in women isn’t high enough to produce masculinizing effects. But it plays a vital role in overall health, mood, and sexual function.

Low testosterone can plummet your energy levels and sex drive. It is even associated with memory loss and can exacerbate menopause symptoms. It can also aggravate rheumatoid complaints and accelerate bone loss.

Common Causes of Low Testosterone in Women

Do you suspect your testosterone levels might be low? The first question you’re probably asking yourself is why. Here are a few causes of low testosterone in women.

Menopause

One of the most common reasons women seek testosterone replacement therapy is to combat the symptoms of menopause. 

Throughout one’s adult lifetime, testosterone levels naturally decline. This is a normal part of the aging process. 

However, some women experience a sharp drop in testosterone during menopause. As we said above, this can exacerbate the already hard-to-deal-with effects of menopause. 

Medications

Certain medications are also a common culprit behind low testosterone levels. Most hormonal birth control medications suppress testosterone for women. This is one of the reasons why many women experience things like weight gain and changes in mood while on hormonal birth control. 

Medications for reducing the severity of menopause symptoms can also affect testosterone levels.

Other types of medications that may reduce testosterone levels include:

• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines and allergy medications
• Statins
• Steroid inhalers for asthma
• Opioids

Thyroid and Pituitary Gland Issues

Another set of root causes that can trigger low testosterone in women are thyroid, pituitary gland, and adrenaline system issues. 

These issues can be brought about as a result of injury, environmental, or lifestyle factors. You could also have a genetic predisposition to them.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone for balancing hormones, however it takes more than a good diet and enough exercise to address these types of issues.

Thyroid and adrenal system conditions are notoriously tricky to treat and often require months, if not years, to come into a full state of healing. This is especially true if you are dealing with something like pituitary gland damage or Sheehan’s syndrome.

If adrenal fatigue, hyperthyroidism, or a compromised pituitary gland is causing low testosterone, it might be beneficial to consider testosterone replacement therapy. 

Testosterone therapy for women can help keep hormone levels stable while you target these types of underlying causes. 

Benefits of Testosterone Therapy

Low testosterone can play havoc on your body and mental state. Supplementing with bioidentical testosterone can help you achieve a better quality of life. It can also target some of the associated risks of low testosterone. 

The benefits of testosterone therapy for women include:

• Increased energy
• More stable moods
• Increased sex drive
• Fertility
• Increased muscle mass
• Easier weight loss and healthy weight maintenance
• Reduction in menopause symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings)
• Better bone mass

All of these benefits can have a significant impact on your well-being. However, there are a couple that stand out as particularly important for long-term health.

Studies have shown that testosterone is positively correlated to higher bone mass indexes in females. Bone mass can be a critical component of health as we age. 

Osteoporosis increases the chance of breaks and fractures, which can decrease mobility. Decreased mobility can exacerbate other age-related health diseases, such as cardiovascular issues. 

Speaking of cardiovascular health, this is another area testosterone replacement therapy may benefit. Testosterone plays an important role in the cardiovascular system but it’s exact interaction is not fully understood.

Currently, testosterone therapy is not used specifically for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease in women. More research is still needed at this stage. However, studies have shown that low testosterone levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. 

How to Know if You Need Testosterone Replacement Therapy

The best way to know if you need testosterone replacement therapy is to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in hormone therapy. 

They will assess your hormone levels and evaluate whether you are a good candidate for prescribing testosterone.

Once you receive your prescription, you will need to monitor any changes and attend follow-up check-ups. 

Potential Side Effects

Before you start any type of medication or treatment, it’s important to inform yourself of any potential side effects. 

Testosterone therapy can trigger the following side effects:

• Acne
• Increased facial or body hair growth
• Voice changes
• Fluid retention
• Breast tenderness
• Mood swings

Keep in mind, the effects of testosterone are entirely dose-dependent. If you are prescribed the correct, age-appropriate dose, you won’t suddenly see hair sprouting from your chin. Nor will you start talking like Johnny Cash.

Most of the documented side effects of testosterone replacement therapy occur at high doses. For instance, liver damage is often cited as a potentially dangerous side effect. However, it is only associated with very high doses of testosterone.

Testosterone Therapy for Women: Restore Your Hormone Balance the Easy Way

Do you think your testosterone levels are low? If so, you might be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.

However, finding a healthcare provider who specializes in prescribing testosterone isn’t always simple. 

Here at Alpha Hormones, we make testosterone therapy for women easy and accessible. 

To get started, all you have to do is schedule an appointment, either online or in person.