Women’s Health: Should You Be Worried about Your Testosterone Levels?

Testosterone is a type of hormone that plays an important role in the health and well-being of both men and women. The hormone helps impact a variety of different functions, ranging from bone density to fat storage. Testosterone is typically measured as either total or free testosterone, which are both ways the body processes this substance.

Levels of testosterone can be impacted by a number of different factors, including stress, diet and exercise habits, sleep patterns, and menstruation. These changes may lead to fluctuations in your testosterone levels and cause you to worry about your overall health. However, most variations in testosterone are normal and tend to fluctuate frequently. Keep reading to learn more about the implications of low testosterone in women and what you can do if you’re concerned about your levels.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in both men and women. In men, the hormone is responsible for reproductive development, including the development of male sexual characteristics, as well as metabolism in the brain and spinal cord. In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and the brain.

The hormone aids in bone health, fat storage, and muscle mass. While testosterone mostly tied to men, women also produce the hormone, albeit in much lower quantities. In fact, testosterone is responsible for a number of important aspects of health in women as well, including:

• Bone health – Testosterone can help prevent osteoporosis, a condition that affects more than 10 million people in the United States. The hormone can help increase the amount of calcium in your blood, which helps keep bones strong.
• Metabolism – Testosterone can help increase metabolism in both men and women. It impacts how the body converts calories into energy, allowing you to process food more efficiently.
• Fat storage – Testosterone is also responsible for storing fat in the body. The hormone is converted into a number of different types of fat, including abdominal tissue, which can increase the risk of disease.
• Muscle mass – Men typically have more muscle mass than women, but testosterone is also responsible for muscle growth in women.

When Should You Be Concerned About Your Testosterone Levels?

While low testosterone is not typically diagnosed in women, it does occur. If you are experiencing a few of the more common symptoms associated with low testosterone, such as fatigue, weight gain, or trouble sleeping, you should consult your doctor. They can perform a blood test to check your hormone levels and determine if you have low testosterone.

Keep in mind that testosterone levels tend to decrease as people age. This typically happens naturally and is normal, but you should pay attention if you notice a significant change. Low and high testosterone in women can lead to a variety of symptoms and cause you to worry about your overall health. These changes can impact your sex drive, energy levels, metabolism, and sleep quality, among other aspects of your life.

Three ways low testosterone in women can affect your health

• Sex drive – If you are experiencing a significant decrease in sex drive, you may have low testosterone. The hormone is responsible for sexual desire, reproduction, and libido in both men and women.
• Sleep – Low testosterone can lead to poor sleep quality, which can negatively impact your overall health. The hormone can impact how quickly you fall asleep, how often you wake up throughout the night, and a full night of sleep.
• Mood – Low testosterone can cause a significant decrease in your mood and cause you to feel down or depressed. The poor mood is often accompanied by other symptoms of low testosterone, such as low energy and a decrease in sexual desire.

2 Ways to Confirm If You Have Low Testosterone

You have ways to confirm if you have low testosterone. The first is a blood test, which your doctor can perform to check your hormone levels. If you have significantly low levels, they will likely recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT is a common way to treat low testosterone in both men and women.

Another way to confirm if you have low testosterone is to monitor your symptoms. If you notice you’re having a significant amount of any of these symptoms, it’s a sign that you may need to talk to your doctor about a potential problem, accompanied by other symptoms of low testosterone.

3 Tips to Increase Your Testosterone Levels

If you have low testosterone, you have ways you can improve your overall health. Talk to your doctor first for some solutions, such as TRT, that can help boost your hormone levels and improve your health. Additionally, you can make a few lifestyle changes to help increase your testosterone levels.

• Stress – Stress is one of the leading causes of low testosterone. The hormone can help convert adrenaline into cortisol, which is responsible for managing stress and keeping your body balanced. However, when you’re feeling stressed, your body produces too much cortisol, which can lead to low testosterone.
• Diet – What you eat can have a significant impact on your overall health and hormone levels. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid foods that could negatively impact your health, such as processed and fatty foods.
• Exercise – Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and hormone levels. The amount of exercise you need to improve your testosterone levels varies from person to person.
• Sleep – Poor sleep can lead to low testosterone, so make sure you are getting enough rest every night. The amount of sleep you need varies from person to person, but most recommend between seven and nine hours per night.

Summary

Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in both men and women. The hormone is responsible for reproductive development, metabolism in the brain and spinal cord, and a variety of other aspects of health. When you have low testosterone, it can affect a number of aspects of your health, including your sex drive, mood, sleep, and metabolism.

There are a few ways to confirm if you have low testosterone, and there are a few ways you can increase your overall hormone levels. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly to improve your health.