Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone in women is very common when approaching the perimenopausal/menopausal years and testosterone therapy can help you to feel much better. When you begin to experience symptoms of this time period in your life, you may often associate them with lower levels of estrogen or progesterone, but testosterone is a major player as well. Deficiencies in all three of these hormones can also lead to overlapping symptoms, so to achieve optimal hormonal balance, all three should be tested, along with a full lab work-up to see if any other conditions may be affecting your health, hormonal levels, and how you feel. While estrogen and progesterone levels will drop more suddenly in mid-life, testosterone levels actually begin to slowly wane after the late twenties or early thirties and are a very gradual process. By the time you are in your late forties or early fifties, you are likely producing about half of the testosterone that you were when you were in your early twenties. That number jumps to 70% less if you’ve had a hysterectomy and your ovaries were removed!
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Testosterone levels can drop more suddenly however in certain circumstances. For example, if a woman has a hysterectomy and especially if the ovaries are removed, testosterone (along with estrogen and progesterone) can plummet much more quickly. Testosterone is produced mainly in the ovaries, but can also be made in the adrenal glands and fat cells. Chronic stress and pituitary dysfunction can also cause testosterone levels to decline. Testosterone is considered a sex hormone along with estrogen and progesterone. Men and women both produce all three hormones, but levels and ratios are drastically different for each sex. While testosterone is one of the three sex hormones, its effects are much more wide-reaching than low libido. Because all hormones in the endocrine system work together synergistically, it is important to see a provider who is trained and experienced in how all of the hormones in the body function and can affect each other. Additionally, there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms of low testosterone such as iron deficiency, depression, and hypothyroidism.
Dynamic Life Health Center Can Help!
Fortunately, our providers at Dynamic Life Health Center have extensive training and vast experience regarding hormonal imbalances, what causes them, and other conditions that can affect the adverse symptoms that you may be experiencing. The lab testing that we do at Dynamic Life Health Center is much more comprehensive than what is typically done which allows us to see the “big picture” of your overall health and wellness and determine specifically what is causing your particular symptoms. Additionally, this also allows us to identify any problems that may affect your long-term health. We want you to feel your absolute best for the rest of your life! Symptoms of low testosterone in women can be distressing and can include the following:
Low libido- Decreased sexual function
- Hair loss
- Dry, thinning, or crepy skin
- Increased wrinkles
- Insomnia
- Decrease in muscle mass and overall strength
- Weight gain, especially around the abdominal area
- Fertility issues
- Irregularity in the menstrual cycle
- Loss of bone density
- Fatigue
- Low mood
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of motivation and drive
- High inflammation levels
- High LDL cholesterol, and low HDL (good) cholesterol
Testosterone Supplementation Can Improve Your Health and the Way You Feel!
Overall, our patients tell us how much better they feel when supplementing with testosterone. Most women will notice increased libido, and many also notice that they see changes in their skin appearance. Additionally, they experience increased muscle mass when exercising and less fat accumulation. Testosterone can also give you that “pep in your step” again which helps with mood and motivation!
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Studies have also shown that normal testosterone levels can also improve long-term health and wellness, especially for depression, cardiovascular health, and osteoporosis. Another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 2000 indicated that women receiving testosterone therapy were able to lose two times more body fat and gain more muscle mass compared to women who were given a placebo. Women need just a small amount of testosterone supplementation compared to their male counterparts. Once our patients start on a customized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy program, they will usually start to feel better within a few weeks to a few months. Do keep in mind that having your hormones balanced is not an exact science because every woman is different, and changes in diet, exercise, and overall health can also affect your hormone levels. While our providers here at DLHC are very thorough and experienced, it may take a little bit of tweaking to get your hormones perfectly balanced, which is why we require three-month follow-ups during the first year.
Benefits of Testosterone Therapy Can Include:
- Increased libido and sexual function
- Increased muscle mass and decreased amounts of fat or flab
- Improved skin tone
- Better overall well being
- Less depression and anxiety
- Cardiovascular protection
- Improvements in cholesterol levels
- Increased motivation
- Better endurance when exercising
- Increased bone density
- Lower blood pressure
- Diminished risk for Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Improved sensitivity to insulin (helps with reduced risk for diabetes and weight management)
- Less joint pain
- Less inflammation throughout the body
- Lower levels of C-reactive protein which is a marker for cardiovascular disease
- Improved health of blood vessels
Can Women Have Too Much Testosterone?
The answer to this is yes. Though this is much less common, some women do have levels of testosterone that are too high. This can sometimes be a symptom of another underlying condition such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), so it is equally as important to have your hormone levels checked if you experience the following symptoms:
- Absence of periods prior to menopause
- Excess amount of body hair
- Hair that grows excessively on the upper lip or chin
- Deepening tone of voice
- Acne
- Male pattern baldness
- Increased muscle mass or signs of masculinity
The Providers at Dynamic Life Health Center are Here to Help You!
Imbalanced hormones can cause you to experience a variety of symptoms. As you age, you may consider these to be your new “normal,” which can be quite depressing and overwhelming when you don’t feel like your prior, vibrant self. We provide comprehensive testing so that we can identify where your imbalances or deficiencies are, and then we can prescribe a treatment protocol to restore both your health and your vitality. Please note that both Dr. Berutti and her Physician Assistant, Melanie Martin, only prescribe bioidentical hormones. Additionally, if you prefer the convenience of hormone pellets, we offer those too. If you do not wish to have your hormones administered via pellets, there are a variety of other options available to you as well. Our providers and staff go the extra mile to provide you with quality health care in a compassionate environment. Our mission is to spend the extra time with you to get to know YOU and your specific needs and get you to feeling your best while keeping you as healthy as possible! 
Contact our New Patient Coordinator for More Information
When many patients come to see us, they have lost hope because they’ve felt unwell for so long and don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s rewarding as practitioners to be able to help so many people realize a much-improved quality of life and a regained sense of vitality!
Please call us to get more information about how our clinic and Dr. Berutti or Melanie Martin, PA, can help you with your health goals and schedule an appointment.
We look forward to the opportunity to restore your health and regain your vitality for life!
For More Information Call Us at 817-539-6168
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