While testosterone therapy has become increasingly commonplace for men, there is less discussion around testosterone treatment specifically for women. We look at what is considered a healthy level of testosterone in women and how women can benefit from testosterone therapy.
Testosterone is a hormone found in both men and women. It affects sex drive, bone mass, muscle strength, and many other body functions. Although it is most commonly associated with men as their primary hormone, all humans produce testosterone.
Yes, women do produce testosterone. While there is much less testosterone found in a woman’s body compared to a man’s, it is still responsible for many key functions in their bodies.
Testosterone is also a female sex hormone. Sex or reproductive hormones begin to develop during puberty. For women, testosterone is produced primarily by the ovaries and adrenal glands, as well as other tissues and cells in the body.
The normal range of testosterone for women is 15-70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or 0.5-2.4 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). Levels of testosterone in women decline between the ages of 20 and 40 and decrease significantly in perimenopausal and menopausal women. This decrease coincides with the drastic decrease in oestrogen production as the ovaries — which are responsible for much of a woman’s hormone levels — cease to function. Oestrogen replacement therapy is a well-known treatment for menopausal women, but women can also benefit from testosterone therapy.
Testosterone supports several essential functions in women’s bodies. Some of the major impacts of healthy testosterone production are listed below.
Testosterone increases bone density by stimulating the production of the cells responsible for bone formation. The denser your bones, the stronger they are, which makes them less vulnerable to breaks and fractures.
It is also responsible for increased muscle mass, which in turn improves strength, balance, and metabolism. Improved muscle mass can also have added benefits, including a stronger immune system.
Balanced testosterone levels can be highly effective in mood regulation. Testosterone is also proven to aid concentration levels and can help mitigate the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone.
For both men and women, testosterone has a significant impact on libido. It can benefit many factors of sexual function, including sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and pleasure.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in the body and can affect many normal functions. Low testosterone levels can influence both mental and physical health, and boosting the hormone level through testosterone therapy can help regulate these functions.
Symptoms of low testosterone levels in women include:
Testosterone supplementation can correct symptoms that appear due to low hormone levels. Whether it’s due to natural decline with age, removal of the ovaries through surgery or any medical condition impacting hormone levels, prescribing testosterone can be an effective solution.
Many women find taking testosterone improves their stamina for increased mental and physical energy levels. Testosterone benefits for women include improved mood, motivation and even self-image.
As with treatment for men, increasing testosterone levels often improves their libido and ability to orgasm. Increasing testosterone levels can improve sexual function, including increased feelings of sexual desire and sexual response, helping to tackle issues commonly associated with low testosterone, like vaginal dryness.
Addressing testosterone deficiency can also enhance bone density and improve somatic symptoms, such as muscle aches and joint pain.
While low testosterone levels can negatively affect a woman’s health, high testosterone can also cause a range of health problems. Symptoms of high testosterone in women include:
Severely high levels of testosterone in females can also lead to infertility. Checking for high testosterone levels can be done with a simple blood test, usually in the morning when hormone levels are at their highest. High testosterone alone can be easily treated, depending on the cause and associated symptoms.
Checking testosterone levels for unusually high production can lead to the diagnosis of a number of related health conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or Hirsutism.
Testosterone therapy is a hormone replacement therapy that boosts the body’s natural levels of production. There are a number of ways to supplement the testosterone levels in the body and at Harley St MD, we offer a range of solutions.
• Testosterone transdermal: This can be in the form of gels or a patch applied once a day, usually in the evening that slowly releases small amounts of the hormone through the skin and to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
• Testosterone injections: The most popular brand for a sustained testosterone injection is Nebido, which is typically administered every 10 to 14 weeks. The needle is injected into the buttock or thigh.
• Testosterone tablets: Restandol is the most common brand used for the prevention and management of androgen deficiency, which causes low testosterone.
You should always seek expert guidance for prescribing testosterone.
While the side effects of testosterone therapy for women are minimal, there may be some effects when trialling dosage levels. Testosterone causes your skin to produce more sebum, which can result in acne. There are also reports of weight gain in some patients. However, weight gain and acne can be reversible with a reduced dose. The British Menopause Society acknowledges that more data is required to establish the long-term effects on cardiovascular and breast outcomes, “but the short-term data from a recent meta-analysis are reassuring.”
For topical testosterone therapy like gels and patches, there has been some feedback of unwanted hair growth in the area of application. To counteract this, it is recommended that the same site of application is not used every time, varying the area in which the gel or patch is applied to reduce excessive hair growth. Despite common concerns, taking a testosterone replacement does not result in facial hair growth for women when kept within the female physiological range.
We practice safe and effective testosterone replacement therapy in the UK at our CQC-registered clinic in Harley Street, London. The clinic is doctor-led by Dr Chia Tan, the founder of Harley Street MD, and registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Dr Chia Tan is a doctor with a General Medical Council (GMC) registration who trained and studied surgery and family medicine in the United Kingdom. He has extensive experience in endocrinology and holds a diploma from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH).
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