How Do Women Benefit From Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Estrogen and Progesterone are female steroid hormones that directly affect a woman's sex drive, menstrual cycle and pregnancy. When women experience menopause, the presence of these hormones begins to diminish. To treat the side effects of menopause, doctors since the 1930's have used hormone replacement therapy of estrogen and progesterone. However, it is only recently that the hormone traditionally associated with male steroids, testosterone, has been identified as an important factor of female hormone replacement therapy as well, going well beyond menopausal treatments.

Testosterone in Women

Women produce testosterone in their adrenal gland (like men) and in their ovaries. However, the amount produced is approximately one-tenth the amount of men. And just like their male counterparts, women produce the most testosterone in while in their 20's. Then the levels significantly drop after menopause. Likewise, women who have undergone a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) lose testosterone levels.

How Does Testosterone Help Women?

Sexuality

Just like with men, testosterone boosts a woman's sex drive. In tests done, the levels of testosterone in women rise as they become sexually aroused, and decline post orgasm. Women with lower occurring levels of testosterone often experience low or no libido.

Strength and Fitness

When men have low testosterone levels, one of the main side effects is losing muscle mass and gaining excessive abdominal fat. Women, as early as 10 years prior to menopause, start losing testosterone and also gain abdominal fat. Studies done in the last decade have found that women given testosterone under these circumstances were able to maintain a healthier weight and muscle tone.

Mood

Testosterone elevates the levels of norepinephrine in the brain which has a stimulating and anti-depressant affect. Lower testosterone levels also contribute to fatigue. Women with normal levels of testosterone experience better moods.

When Should Women Receive Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Most women who need testosterone replacement therapy are experiencing menopause and, therefore, losing their natural levels of the steroid. Younger women who have had a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy and no longer have the ability to produce testosterone also benefit from receiving the hormone. Likewise, women suffering from Addison's disease or adrenal malfunction can no longer produce normal levels of the hormone. However, there is more evidence recently that women suffering from reduced libido, unexplained fatigue, depression, and emotional mood changes are experiencing lower testosterone levels, so small amounts of the hormone can help them as well. Doctors will take a blood test to determine if, under any of these circumstances, a woman may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.

Intown Primary Care

Atlanta, Georgia