Testosterone for Women
Most people typically think of low testosterone as a primarily male condition. While testosterone is the main male sex hormone, it is also important to female development and functioning. Specifically, testosterone plays a role in bone strength, muscle mass, fat distribution, and brain functioning.
Perhaps most importantly, it plays a crucial role in sex drive and libido. In women, testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands and ovaries. When chemical levels fall out of balance, it can lead to a number of undesirable side effects, ranging from mild to severe. This begins to happen naturally as an adult around the early 30s but can be quite extreme in some women. Keeping hormones at optimal levels is critical for maintaining vitality and an overall sense of well-being.
Symptoms and Causes
Low testosterone can lead to many uncomfortable side effects. These include reduced memory, decreased sex drive, deteriorating muscle tissue, depression and anxiety, osteoporosis, obesity, painful intercourse, and even heart issues. In order to determine if you are experiencing low levels, be on the lookout for the following signs and symptoms:
- thinning and/or dry skin
- fatigue
- poor memory
- loss of muscle tone, particularly in the arms and legs
- loss of libido
- low motivation
- difficulty concentrating
- depression and/or anxiety
- fat gain and difficulty losing weight
- difficulty building muscle
- loss of bone density
- decreased sex drive and/or vaginal dryness