do women need testosterone?

When we talk about testosterone, we mostly think about men and the effects of too much or too little it may have on them – but we very rarely think about how an imbalance in this hormone may affect women.

In men, the testicles primarily make testosterone. Women’s ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts.

Testosterone or androgen combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone, helps with the growth, maintenance, and repair of a woman's reproductive tissues, bone mass, and human behaviors. It is also important for cognitive function, mood, sexual function, and energy.

A healthy level of testosterone also helps protect against bone diseases like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density and strength. Bones naturally break down during the aging process. Testosterone helps with the rebuilding of new bone and maintaining mass. If insufficient testosterone is in the body, new growth cannot keep up with bone loss.

Fluctuating levels of estrogen and testosterone can also play a role in your mood and how much anxiety you experience. This is why your mood changes; there is increased irritability; and anxiety sometimes peaks during times of hormonal change such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

An imbalance in your testosterone levels can be caused by the following:

1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

2. High blood sugar

3. Thyroid problems

4. Being overweight

5. Lack of exercise

There are also a few other ‘bad habits’ that can have an effect of your hormone levels:

1. Your chocolate / sweet Addiction.

2. Stressing Out Late at Night.

3. One Night of Sleep Deprivation.

4. Late-Afternoon Starbucks Runs.

5. Crash Diets.

So how do you know if you have too little or too much testosterone?

Some of the symptoms associated with low testosterone in women include:

· Decrease in sexual desire or libido.

· Decrease in sexual thoughts or fantasies.

· Difficulty reaching orgasm.

· Fatigue.

· Lack of concentration.

· Muscle weakness.

· Reduced vaginal lubrication.

· Thinning hair.

Some of the symptoms associated with high testosterone in women include:

· Excess body hair, specifically facial hair.

· Balding.

· Acne.

· Enlarged clitoris.

· Decreased breast size.

· Deepening of the voice.

· Increased muscle mass.

When women develop higher testosterone levels, it increases their risk of developing diabetes, breast cancer as well as heart disease. High testosterone also increases insulin resistance.

Both high and low testosterone levels in women have been related to increased rates of depression and anger as well. So that antidepressant you are taking may be helping the symptom but it is not fixing the problem. In fact, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds will push your hormones more out of balance!

An imbalance in your testosterone levels may also affect your sleep. Case studies find that whether it be too low or too high, you get a less restful sleep, can wake up a few times during the night and can even develop sleep disordered breathing.

Does any of this sound like you?

At a consultation with one of our practitioners, we look closely at the hormones to see where there is an imbalance. We go to the route of the cause and find the best way to get things back in balance. Your hormones are closely linked to your sense of wellbeing as well as your overall health so they are important!

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looking forward to helping you get yourself back!!!