Most people think of testosterone as a hormone for men, but women’s bodies also need it and produce small amounts. It helps with energy, strength, and mood, and contributes to a healthy sex drive. When your testosterone levels drop below normal, it can leave you feeling off balance, cranky, and fatigued. IBI Plastic Surgery Med Spa offers testosterone replacement therapy for women in Atlanta, Georgia, and the surrounding areas that can help bring balance to your hormones so you feel your best.
Why Women Need Testosterone
You may be asking yourself, “Should women take testosterone?” and the answer is yes, if her levels are below normal. Even though a woman’s body produces much less testosterone than a man’s, the small amount it does make is very important to the development of muscle tone, her mental clarity, mood regulation, and a healthy sex life.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
When testosterone levels become lower than normal, you can begin to experience certain symptoms that can impact your quality of life. These symptoms are often confused with side effects of stress or just the natural course of aging, but it is worth getting checked out because they may be preventable. Your testosterone levels may be low if you:
- Have low energy levels or feel worn out all the time.
- Have trouble focusing.
- Your sex drive is much lower than normal.
- You are experiencing mood swings.
- You are losing muscle tone.
- You are gaining weight but have no idea why.
Testosterone for Menopause
Women’s testosterone levels start dropping before they hit menopause, but the changes they feel are much more obvious around that time because several hormones begin to drop around that same time.
Your body gradually begins to produce less testosterone when you reach your mid-twenties and early thirties, but most people do not notice any significant differences until later in life. Once you hit perimenopause or menopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fall, and coupled with the lower testosterone levels, you can begin to feel tired, experience mood swings, and experience a decrease in your sex drive. You may also notice a decrease in muscle tone, a slower metabolism, and trouble staying focused, which are all signs that your testosterone is running low. Many women seek help when these symptoms begin to interfere with their quality of life and find that testosterone for menopause helps them feel more balanced and normal again.
What Testosterone Therapy Can Do for a Woman
Many women who begin treatments for supplemental testosterone for women notice a gradual improvement in how they feel everyday. They start to feel like their normal selves again, and many of the things that bothered them every day are no longer noticeable. Some of the benefits of testosterone therapy for women include:
An Increase In Energy
One of the first things most women notice is that they have a lot more energy, and the afternoon crashes they were feeling become fewer and further between. This helps carry out your normal routine and keep up with your responsibilities. Some women are more motivated to start or resume an exercise routine and get more physical activity. This is helpful because it is important to maintain your muscle mass as you age, and having more energy helps you to perform ongoing strength training activities.
You Feel Sharper
Low testosterone can make your mind feel foggy or scattered and can significantly impact your mental clarity, so bringing your levels back into balance often helps you concentrate and focus better and remember things more easily.
Can Improve Your Intimate Moments
Many women struggle with a low desire for sex and have decreased sensitivity when their testosterone levels are less than normal. Therapy to bring these levels back into balance can help them feel more desirable and confident, and help them enjoy their intimate moments once again.
You Get Better Quality Sleep
When your hormones are out of whack, it can impact your quality of sleep. When you toss and turn all night or are constantly waking up, it is impossible to feel rested the next day. Lack of sleep can reduce your productivity, cause irritability, and even throw the hormones that regulate your metabolism off and cause weight gain. Stabilizing your testosterone levels can often help you sleep more deeply and wake up refreshed and rested.
You Just Feel Better
Most people do not even think about it when their hormones are functioning normally, but when they begin to experience symptoms, they become aware of how many areas are impacted by hormones. Lack of energy and focus, coupled with mood swings and fatigue from poor sleep, can take a huge toll on your career and personal life. Testosterone therapy can bring balance to your body and help you feel stronger, clearer-headed, and more capable. Trying to get through the day no longer will drain you of every scrap of energy, and the improvements can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
Are There Testosterone Side Effects in Women?
As with any type of hormone treatment, there can be associated side effects, so you should be aware of what you can expect. Most women only have a few mild side effects when starting testosterone hormone therapy, but everyone is different, so you may notice some changes as your body adjusts. Some of the side effects of testosterone for women may include:
- Feeling moodier, more short-tempered, or more irritable than what is normal for you.
- Feeling restless or more “amped up.”
- Feeling more emotional or sensitive.
- Having more trouble winding down at night and feeling a bit weird.
- An increase or change in body odor until your levels normalize.
Choosing a doctor who has extensive experience in hormone therapy, like Dr. Angelina Postoev, is critical to ensure your hormones are balanced properly. It is very important that your dosing only brings your levels to a normal range because increasing your testosterone levels too much can cause your voice to become deeper, make changes to your period, cause an increase in acne, or trigger hair thinning.
Dr. Angelina will talk with you about your progress and how you are feeling during regular check-ins to ensure your treatment is on track and to make any adjustments if needed.
Who Can Help Me With Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women?
Testosterone replacement therapy should never elevate your hormone levels too high, but should only bring them into a healthy range so your body functions as it should. Dr. Angelina at IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa can help you find the right dose and provide you with the ongoing guidance and support you need to achieve healthy and balanced hormone levels. To learn more about testosterone for women, set up your personal consultation today.
FAQs About Testosterone for Women
Should Women Take Testosterone?
This is a question that comes up very frequently, and the answer varies depending on your symptoms, your health history, and what your lab work reveals. Testosterone therapy can benefit many women and improve their quality of life, but each person is different. Dr. Angelina can help determine if testosterone therapy is right for you, and along with her team, she can craft the perfect treatment plan for your needs and circumstances.
What Does Testosterone Do for a Woman?
Testosterone can help you feel energized, focused, and motivated, and it can help maintain your muscle tone, enhance your sex life, and help you be more productive. When your levels become abnormally low, it can cause you to feel fatigued, foggy-minded, and just generally off, so bringing your levels to a healthy balance can make a huge difference in how you feel and function every day.
Are There Ways to Naturally Increase Testosterone in Females?
There are a few things that you can try on your own to naturally boost your testosterone levels, which include:
- Getting regular exercise that includes strength training.
- Eating enough lean protein and healthy fats.
Testosterone replacement therapy for women can help when lifestyle changes are not effective enough.
Will a Woman Lose Weight If She Takes Testosterone?
Some women find it easier to maintain a healthy weight when their hormone levels are balanced because testosterone helps maintain muscle mass and helps their metabolism function more efficiently. It is not considered a weight loss solution, but it can help provide a balanced foundation that, when coupled with lifestyle changes, can help achieve and maintain a stable weight.
