Many women are surprised that they have testosterone, but they do. The sexes are not so different, men have estradiol, the major female hormone also, and they have their functions in both men and women.

Testosterone peaks in women at age 20 and declines thereafter. As it declines, women can experience a gradual decline in energy, develop weight gain in the middle, develop anxiety or depression, develop brain fog, poor sleep and diminished libido. This is a very common deficiency.

This decline in testosterone levels, often referred to as “female hypogonadism,” is a natural part of the aging process. However, some women may see greater declines due to: 

  • surgery (especially hysterectomy with oophorectomy)
  • certain medications (including some chemotherapy and radiation)
  • underlying conditions (like autoimmune diseases and chronic illnesses)

Treatment helps to relieve those symptoms, plus decreases disease risk. Women are eight times more likely to get Alzheimer’s Disease than men, low testosterone being a major contributing factor. Testosterone also improves bone density, cardiovascular health, blood sugar, metabolism, and therefore decreases risk of diabetes, stimulates the burning of belly fat, improves muscle strength, and it is my best energizer. It also greatly improves mood and many “depressed” patients can stop anti-depressants after this deficiency is corrected. It also improves sleep, which can decrease need for hypnotics.

It’s important to note that testosterone replacement therapy should be considered a personalized approach. A full evaluation is crucial. It should include a detailed medical history, a physical exam, and some lab tests, like free and total testosterone levels. This will determine if testosterone replacement therapy is right for you. It will also help customize your treatment plan to your needs and health. 

We will consider your age, symptoms, medical history, and any conditions in this evaluation. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy. They will also address any concerns you may have.

Relatively common side effects can be a tendency towards more acne, and occasionally hair growth or hair loss are reported. For a full discussion of this, a face to face consultation is recommended. It is not actually testosterone that produces these side effects, but its metabolite DHT, that does this. If these side effects begin to occur, then there are blockers that can be added to minimize these. Overall, the improvements in health and quality of life are so profound, that the side effects pale in comparison to the improvements in health.

It’s vital to discuss the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy with your doctor. They can assess your situation, address your concerns, and help you decide if this treatment is right for you.

There are various treatment options to remedy the deficiency. The most effective is our BioTE® Pellets. There some other treatment options, like creams or injectables, but the choice depends greatly on the patient, so that is best deferred to a face to face consultation. See the BioTE® section for more information on this method of replacement therapy.