Testosterone Therapy For Women: Is it Right for You ?
Struggling with perimenopause or menopause symptoms? Learn how testosterone therapy for women could help restore your energy, libido, and vitality here.
Lower libido. Mood swings. Persistent fatigue.
These are just a few of the big bodily changes perimenopause (a transition phase that signals menopause is around the corner) and menopause can bring.
While estrogen is often blamed for these frustrating symptoms, it’s not the only hormone at play. Changes in testosterone — yes, the so-called “male hormone” — levels can also contribute to or worsen perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
What is Testosterone?
To understand why, it’ll be helpful first to understand:
What is testosterone? Testosterone is a steroid hormone that belongs to a group called androgens. While it is commonly associated with male biology, women produce testosterone, too, in their ovaries and adrenal glands. And although testosterone levels in women are much lower than in men, it still plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being.
What, exactly, does testosterone do for women’s health? In women, testosterone:
Maintains muscle mass and strength: Helps prevent muscle loss and supports physical endurance
Supports bone health: Plays a role in bone density, lowering the risk of osteoporosis
Enhances libido (sexual desire): Helps regulate arousal and sexual satisfaction
Boosts energy and mood: Contributes to motivation, mental clarity, and emotional stability
Aids cognitive function: Supports focus, memory, and overall brain health
Regulates fat distribution: Helps maintain a healthy balance of muscle and fat in the body
Understanding Testosterone therapy for women
Just to be clear, testosterone therapy is different from hormone therapy (HT), which is also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HT is basically estrogen, taken with or without progestogen:
If you’ve had a hysterectomy, you can take estrogen-only HT
If you have a uterus, the estrogen needs to be balanced with a progestogen — usually a type called progestin — since using estrogen alone could raise the risk of uterine cancer
HT is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for 4 menopause-related uses:
Treating moderate-to-severe hot flashes and night sweats (“vasomotor” symptoms)
Managing premature menopause (before age 45)
Slowing bone-density loss
Treating moderate-to-severe genitourinary symptoms, which include vaginal dryness and irritation, pain during sexual intercourse, and urinary problems like difficulty peeing
What does testosterone therapy do?
Testosterone therapy, on the other hand, specifically targets testosterone insufficiency and is often used to improve energy levels, libido, muscle mass, and cognitive function.
To expand on that, research suggests that testosterone therapy may improve sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction in post-menopausal women with low desire that caused them distress.
There’s also evidence that, when combined with estrogen as part of HT, testosterone therapy may:
Enhance self-image
Improve somatic symptoms, such as muscle aches and joint pain
Incase bone density
Enhance cognitive performance
Improve mood, motivation, and energy
How does testosterone therapy for women work?
Testosterone therapy for women is available in various forms, including:
Injectables: Testosterone injections are administered periodically to help maintain stable levels in the bloodstream. This method provides consistent hormone delivery but requires regular doctor visits or self-injections.
Pellets: Tiny testosterone pellets are implanted under the skin (usually in the hip or buttocks), where they slowly release testosterone over several months. This option offers long-term, steady hormone levels without the hassle of daily dosing.
Creams: Topical testosterone is applied to the skin, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This method allows for easy dose adjustments but requires daily application and careful handling to prevent skin transfer to others.
Is testosterone therapy for women right for you?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone levels, such as:
Low mood and dissatisfaction
Unexplained fatigue
Changes in sexual function, such as reduced libido
Changes in cognition (thinking, reasoning, and memory)
Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats
Bone loss
Decreased muscle strength
… the first step is to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in hormone health to evaluate the pros and cons, along with the suitability of testosterone therapy for you.
In general, the factors they’ll consider include:
Your symptom profile: Are your symptoms consistent with low testosterone, or could they be related to other hormonal imbalances?
Hormone testing: A blood test can determine whether your testosterone levels are indeed below the optimal range.
Overall health status: Certain conditions may make testosterone therapy unsuitable.
That said, it’s not always easy to find a healthcare provider who listens to you and will discuss your concerns about perimenopause and menopause — let alone go in-depth on testosterone therapy for women (currently still considered an off-label therapy).
That’s where Optimized Body and Wellness comes in. We specialize in personalized hormone therapy and are well-equipped in helping women undergoing perimenopause and/or menopause regain their energy, vitality, and confidence.