Can Testosterone Replacement Therapy Benefit Women?

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a treatment typically marketed to men. However, women also produce testosterone, although in smaller amounts than men. When these levels dip below normal for women, it can negatively impact their health.

TRT can be indicated for the treatment of low testosterone in women to improve their daily lives and overall health outcomes. Many women have reported positive changes in their lives by increasing levels of testosterone.

Testosterone is a hormone that does a lot for both men and women’s bodies. The pituitary gland controls how much testosterone is produced in the body. It can signal to the body that it has enough or too much testosterone, causing it to over or under produce the hormone – creating a hormonal imbalance.

There are two main reasons why a woman may have low testosterone:

• The normal aging process. Much like men, women’s testosterone levels diminish naturally with age, particularly after menopause. In some cases, low testosterone is a natural consequence of diminishing hormone levels.
• Issues with the pituitary glands or ovaries. These two organs play an integral role in the synthesis of testosterone. The pituitary gland is located in the brain, and it signals to the ovaries how much testosterone to produce. An issue with either the pituitary gland or the ovaries can affect testosterone levels.

Typical body functions can lead to the natural reduction of hormones like estrogen and testosterone over time. When a woman approaches menopause, some reductions testosterone are normal. At the same time, some women may experience more marked reductions in testosterone when taking oral estrogen medications. Ovarian dysfunction or failure (for example, from chemotherapy or radiation) can cause low levels of testosterone, as can thyroid disease and certain types of cancer.

• Support the maintenance and healthy growth of bone tissue
• Increase and maintain muscle mass
• Decrease the amount of fat storage (particularly in post-menopausal women)
• Promote a healthy sex drive or libido
• Decrease the risk of vaginal atrophy

There is some research to suggest that normal testosterone levels in women can even help support cardiovascular health. As such, this is more than just a “sex hormone” – it plays an integral role in overall good health and longevity.

• Muscle weakness
• Sluggishness or fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight gain
• Issues with fertility
• Irregular menstruation
• Loss of bone density
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of libido
• Decreased sexual satisfaction

Because these symptoms present as so many other issues, low testosterone in women often goes undiagnosed. Women with low testosterone may also experience emotional symptoms like:

• Lack of motivation
• Feelings of depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with memory and cognition

We know that low testosterone levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, but can TRT help with your risk of heart disease or stroke? Evidence suggests that it might. Testosterone helps boost healthy red blood cell production, and a recent study of 83,000 men found men with low levels of testosterone who returned to normal levels decreased their risk of heart attack by 24%, and risk of stroke 36%. It’s not known if these results are generalizable to women.

Women naturally have less muscle mass than men, and testosterone is linked to increased muscle mass. A leaner body naturally helps control weight and increases energy. TRT can help decrease fat levels while promoting muscle mass and strength.

Testosterone levels are directly linked to bone density, and low T directly correlates with risk of osteoporosis in both men and women. Clinical trials show TRT can help boost bone mineral density in both the hip and spine. Additionally, studies of females transitioning into males found that TRT treatments naturally improved bone density in participants.

There is promising research in men that shows men with higher total testosterone have a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Testosterone has also been important to thinking abilities such as improved verbal memory, processing speed, and spatial memory. Again, while this research has been predominantly on men, it is likely that it would similarly affect women.

The most promising evidence regarding TRT and women relates to libido. In both men and women, appropriate testosterone levels contribute to healthy sexual arousal and activity. Numerous studies show that testosterone replacement therapy can improve sexual performance and activity in both men and women. Boosting low T can have an almost immediate effect on your sexual health.

People with low T report troubling symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and depression. TRT may be able to improve mood, well-being, and promote healthy energy levels. The natural consequence of feeling more energy can also boost moods.