What Does Testosterone Do for Women?
When you hear the word testosterone, you may be forgiven for simply writing it off as a male hormone, given its reputation for influencing male sex drive, sperm count, and even aggression. However, despite men having around 15 times more testosterone than women, it is by no means exclusively a male hormone.
Testosterone is just as crucial for women’s health as it is for men’s, affecting everything from mood and motivation to muscle tone and sex drive. Want to know a fact that might surprise you? Before menopause, most women produce three times more testosterone than estrogen.
Which leads us to a commonly asked question - what does testosterone do for women?
As you may have already guessed, quite a lot.
Where Does Testosterone in Women Come From?
Before we dive into what testosterone does for women, let’s first explore where this hormone comes from. While it’s well known that testosterone is produced in the testes for men, where does it originate in women?
In women, testosterone is primarily produced by the ovaries and, much as it is in men, by the adrenal glands. Most of the testosterone produced in women is metabolised into oestradiol, a form of oestrogen and one of the primary female sex hormones.
Just like in men, testosterone levels hit their peak during a woman’s 20s and slowly start to decline with age, especially after menopause.
Although women have much lower levels of testosterone than men, it still plays a key role in the body - both physically and mentally.
The Benefits of Testosterone for Women
Just like women themselves, testosterone is an amazing multi-tasker and benefits women in a myriad of ways. From instilling you with confidence to keeping your heart healthy, there isn't much this hormone can’t do.
Here’s exactly what testosterone does for women:
Builds Muscle Mass and Burn’s Fat
Attention all gym bunnies out there: testosterone, just like in men, plays a key role in muscle growth and tone. It works by promoting protein synthesis, which helps you build and maintain lean muscle mass.
This is especially important as women age, as maintaining muscle strength supports your overall health, mobility, and metabolism. Testosterone also increases your metabolic rate, helping you to burn more fat and maintain a healthy weight.
So, if you want to feel stronger, and fitter, and smash your New Year’s resolution gym goals - then having a healthy supply of testosterone is an absolute must.
Protects Your Heart and Bone Health
Testosterone is amazing for your heart and bones as it actively strengthens them. It improves your cardiovascular health by optimising blood flow, increasing the production of red blood cells, lowering cholesterol and can even slow or reverse atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This is why higher levels of testosterone are linked with lower levels of heart disease.
The hormone also improves bone density, which can be a particular concern for women as they age. Those with low testosterone levels are more prone to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Testosterone strengthens bones by binding to the cells that form new bones, thereby increasing bone mass.
Improves Mood and Motivation
Ever notice how some days you wake up feeling ready to conquer the world, while other days you just want to hide under the covers and succumb to bed rot? Well, it's not just in your head, as testosterone directly impacts mood, confidence, and motivation.
Studies show that low testosterone levels are linked to fatigue, low self-esteem, and even depression. Healthy levels, on the other hand, can boost your mental resilience. Testosterone binds to receptors in the brain which increase the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, helping to make you feel as cool as a cucumber.
Improves Cognitive Function
Testosterone helps keep your brain sharp, improving your memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. Studies show that having healthy testosterone levels helps stave off brain fog and forgetfulness and might even lower the risk of brain-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, although more research is needed.
In short, testosterone has a huge influence on the brain, helping keep you focused and thinking clearly.
Boosts Energy Levels
Feeling tired all the time, even after a full night’s sleep? This could also be down to your testosterone levels.
Testosterone helps regulate your body’s energy production by increasing your metabolic rate and helping your body convert glucose into energy - giving you that pep in your step. With the right levels of testosterone in your system, you can kiss goodbye to those midday slumps or constant feelings of fatigue and say hello to a more energised you.
Encourages Better Sleep
A sound night’s sleep is the foundation of a healthy body and mind. But did you know that testosterone plays a key role in sleep?
Low levels of testosterone can disrupt your sleep cycle by affecting the production of important neurotransmitters like serotonin, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. By balancing your testosterone levels, you can improve sleep quality, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the day.
If you do need help getting a better night’s sleep then find out more about how our Pharmaceutical-grade Sleep Capsules can help.
Increases Sex Drive and Pleasure
Testosterone is probably most well-known for increasing libido. It's directly linked to how ‘in the mood’ you feel. But it doesn't just stop there. Testosterone doesn't only affect how much you want to have sex; it also influences how pleasurable you find sex, which can be an issue for many women.
For women, reaching orgasm can be somewhat elusive at times, but testosterone can help by improving arousal and increasing sensitivity, making those intimate moments much more satisfying, shall we say.
Supports Ovulation and Fertility
Testosterone is one of the key sex hormones - along with oestrogen and progesterone - that help regulate the menstrual cycle and support ovulation and fertility.
Studies have shown that testosterone increases the follicular response to the hormone gonadotropin, which, in turn, increases the number of egg cells released during ovulation - giving you a higher chance of pregnancy.
Relieves Menopause Symptoms
Menopause can be a challenging time for many women, with symptoms ranging from hot flashes and night sweats to mood swings and a loss of sex drive. Testosterone can help ease menopausal symptoms by improving energy, reducing mood swings, and boosting libido. It also supports bone density and muscle mass, as we have already discussed, which protects against osteoporosis.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
Now that we’ve covered what testosterone does for women, how do you know if your levels are too low? Symptoms of low testosterone can vary but common symptoms include:
Fatigue and low energy
Decreased muscle mass and strength
Mood swings, anxiety, and depression
Weight gain and increased body fat
On the other hand, excessively high testosterone levels can lead to issues like PCOS, acne and excess facial or body hair growth which is known as hirsutism.
Why Balance Is Key
While many of us might dream of spending our days indulging in an unlimited amount of chocolate fudge cake, staying snuggled up in bed, or drinking until the late afternoon, we don't. Why? Because, like everything in life, there needs to be balance, and testosterone is no exception.
Too little, and you will end up feeling tired, unmotivated, and even depressed. Too much, and you could experience unwanted side effects like acne or irregular periods. Just like Goldilocks, the goal is to find that sweet spot that’s just right. This allows both your body and mind to function like a boss.
Taking Back Control of Your Hormone Health
Often it can feel like we’re at the mercy of our hormones. From menstrual cycles to menopause, women continually battle hormone fluctuations - and the symptoms that come with them - throughout the majority of their lives. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At Hormones & You, we’re on a mission to help women take back control of their health with our clever and convenient hormone solutions.
Our bioidentical testosterone-boosting cream is specially designed for women to tackle symptoms of low testosterone and improve mood, energy, muscle mass, and libido.
Our low-dose solutions are custom-made for each individual and are suitable for both pre and post-menopausal women. Developed by doctors and made with the highest quality ingredients, our easy-to-apply cream formula will leave you feeling replenished and revitalised.
If you suspect your testosterone levels are off and you’re experiencing symptoms of a hormone imbalance then start an online consultation and get your personalised testosterone boosting treatment now.
