From puberty to menopause, testosterone has important functions for women, such as reproduction, metabolism, and cognition. Dr. David Fein uses testosterone therapy to help both women and men enjoy feeling healthier and younger.
How Testosterone Affects Women
When women think of their hormonal levels, they may typically think of estrogen and progesterone. While those play an important role in the female reproductive system, testosterone also plays an important factor in hormonal balance and general health. Low testosterone (low T) can have a negative impact on a woman’s overall health and wellness.
Aging, menopause, stress, and other factors can diminish certain hormones, such as testosterone or cortisol. These imbalances may interfere with other metabolic functions, and other hormone levels can be negatively affected.
What Causes Low T in Women?
Testosterone levels typically peak for women in their early 20s and then begin to decrease naturally. This decrease in hormones causes a decrease in sex drive through their 20s, 30s, and 40s, along with a wide range of other unwanted symptoms. Over half of women in their early 40s will see their testosterone levels drop by 50 percent or more. Low testosterone can also be caused by birth control pill use, which can suppress the natural ovarian production of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.
