Testosterone therapy in women: Does it boost sex drive?

Attention women: Low sex drive? Testosterone wont help Women’s Health UT Southwestern Medical Center

If you’re experiencing signs of sexual dysfunction, Dr. Yogi-Morren urges bringing up the issue to your healthcare provider. Low libido can also indicate a chronic condition like diabetes or a thyroid disorder. Your provider will want to rule out other conditions to make sure you get the best treatment for your symptoms. Treatments for low testosterone in women haven’t been largely studied by medical experts. While doctors know about the effects of excess testosterone in women, the symptoms of too-little testosterone aren’t as well known.

After that you may be prescribed testosterone in its synthetic form, which some say is not as effective in treating low testosterone as natural forms of testosterone. While the effects of too much testosterone in women are widely known, the long-term effects of too little testosterone have not been largely studied. This could lead to various treatments that are related to having low testosterone levels.

Don’t be afraid to talk with a doctor about the symptoms of decreased sex drive. We’ll address the problem at its source and start you on the path to feeling better. For most women, testosterone therapy will not be a recommended treatment option. Food and Drug Administration for premenopausal low libido, and no large clinical studies have included younger women. Personal experiences can stack up over time, leading to diminished sex drive and discomfort with intimacy. Talking with a sex therapist gives patients a safe space to discuss past trauma, current difficulties, and relationship issues without judgment. A therapist can help you understand why these situations are decreasing your libido and help you find healthy pathways to start feeling better.

While there is no test specifically approved for diagnosing low T in women, the condition can be diagnosed through a blood test. Testosterone replacement therapy comes in pills, patches, creams, gels, and implants. Patients can speak to hormone specialist to learn more about the testosterone treatments options that are best for them.

This biological mimicry eliminates the need for your body to convert any compounds, making BHRT a potentially more precise and efficient hormonal treatment option. Unexplained weight gain, particularly around the midsection, can be a sign of low testosterone in women. If you notice a change in body composition that isn’t related to a change in diet or exercise, hormonal factors such as a reduction in testosterone could be the driving cause. To prepare for a testosterone test, a healthcare provider may recommend fasting for several hours before getting the blood sample.

Improved awareness of the symptoms, conclusive reference ranges for evaluation, and appropriate available options are needed. A study done by The University of Texas at Austin suggests that cortisol and testosterone may work against each other to regulate certain behaviors. If you think there’s a possibility that you have low testosterone, you need to see a medical professional to be sure. Maybe they only looked at your total testosterone (and didn’t consider your free testosterone). The women received supplementary testosterone over a 12-week period, and gains in lean mass, chest-press power, and loaded stair-climber power were observed. If you suddenly experience bouts of anxiety, especially if you have never had anxiety issues in the past, you may want to consider being tested for low testosterone.

TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) has been shown to boost sexual desire in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. Approximately one out of four sexually active women in the United States uses some form of hormonal contraceptive method. Birth control pills may influence testosterone levels by raising sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to sex hormones in the body and controls the amount in circulation.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often the first-line treatment for low testosterone levels in women. Hormone replacement therapy provides women with hormones that are typically lost or reduced during menopause. While women have much lower testosterone levels than men, this hormone still plays an important role in female health. Testosterone levels in women decline with age, particularly after menopause. It is estimated that women’s testosterone levels decrease by about 50% between the ages of 20 and 40 and by about 75% between the ages of 20 and 70.

For a woman who is a good candidate, testosterone replacement therapy during peri/menopause can combat vaginal dryness, increase energy and motivation, improve mood and cognition, and ramp up sex drive. Women who opt in to testosterone replacement, often do so in conjunction with other HRT. Keeping testosterone levels at their appropriate levels with BHRT can also help women maintain lean muscle mass, strength, and bone density. This is crucial for women to maintain a strong and active lifestyle, supporting mobility and skeletal health for long-term well-being as they age. Low testosterone levels in women can also affect overall cardiovascular well-being.