Testosterone is a sex hormone that is most often linked to characteristics of the male species. Testosterone is what deepens the voice and what prompts thicker body hair. It is what enables men to build muscle more quickly, and what drives libido. What you may not know is that women need testosterone just as much as men, although to a lesser degree in terms of the amount. While a woman produces approximately one-tenth of the testosterone a man does, this hormone is incredibly important to her general sense of wellness.
Just as testosterone levels drop in men, production also slows significantly in women sometime around the age of 40 to 50. In addition to noticing a “don’t care” attitude when it comes to sex, women with low testosterone may also feel more fatigued, more irritable, and less emotionally balanced. According to research, low testosterone creates a risk for heart attack, Alzheimer’s, and osteoporosis. However, the crucial role of testosterone in women’s health issues has only recently gained the attention of scientists and physicians. The more we have learned, the more we have come to value the benefits that can be achieved with bioidentical hormone replacement of testosterone in women.
Going Beyond Sex
Historically, we have associated testosterone with sex drive and optimal performance. For this reason, some people think of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as a treatment protocol intended to boost libido and sexual pleasure. Patients who visit our San Diego med-spa realize very quickly that there is much more to hormone optimization than increased sex drive.
Studies suggest that testosterone helps both men and women to maintain optimal body composition. This sex hormone is responsible for the more obvious muscular structure of the male physique. When production dwindles in the years before menopause, women notice an increased struggle to keep extra pounds off. Now, we are realizing through studies and clinical practice that there are numerous benefits to reinstating proper testosterone stores.
This is demonstrated in a report found in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, which identified decreased abdominal fat and increased muscle in women treated with low doses of testosterone. Women whose hormone balance was restored lost double the weight as women not treated with testosterone replacement. These findings are significant, and are complemented by other data that shows testosterone also improves sleep, decreases hot flashes, and facilitates clear thinking.
We all deserve to feel good every day. To see how bioidentical hormones can help you, give us a call.