Most people associate testosterone with masculinity. Although it is classified as one of the androgens, it is actually a vital hormone for both men and women. Men and women produce and utilize testosterone with levels peaking during youth and declining with the aging process. In the past few years research studies focused on men with physiological dosing and the benefits of overall musculskeletal/bone, cardiovascular, genitourinary and sexual health. Recent research in physiological testosterone dosing for women who are perimenopausal and menopausal shows benefit for sexual, cardiovascular, urinary, and musculoskeletal/bone health with the most current research showing testosterone is breast protective in both sexes.
Testosterone’s most apparent purpose for both men and women is sexual. Many menopausal and post-menopausal women lose interest in sexual activity, primarily due to diminished testosterone levels. Studies show that women who receive testosterone replacement therapy during or after menopause experience an increase in sexual drive and response, frequency of sexual intercourse, number of sexual fantasies, and level of sexual arousal.
Accumulating medical evidence reports testosterone in men plays an important role in cardiovascular health, especially in protecting against atherosclerosis and heart disease. Natural testosterone has been shown to lower blood pressure and it increases the good HDL cholesterol while reducing total cholesterol. It improves circulation and slows tissue breakdown typically associated with aging.
Most women begin to experience symptoms of testosterone deficiency during perimenopause, when their testosterone levels generally declines and at menopause when their levels have declined by 50%. However, a variety of conditions can cause a decline in testosterone long before menopause. Some of these conditions include childbirth, endometriosis, birth control pills, ovarectomy, depression, and abuse of alcohol and narcotics. Additionally, some medications may interfere with the bioavailability of testosterone, such as Provera, Prozac and Zoloft or other antidepressants, and some antipsychotic medications.
Women with low testosterone levels experience decreased libido and other sexual complaints such as lack of orgasm, and decreased vaginal lubrication. More testosterone deficiency signs include a general lack of energy, loss of muscle tone and diminished overall vitality. Sexual fantasies and masturbation may be significantly decreased or totally absent.
In the past testosterone replacement focused on men but with studies showing beneficial effects to both sexes it can be prescribed topically in physiological doses for each sex. Many physicians still hesitate to prescribe testosterone replacement for women because of the potential virilizing side effects. While excessive doses of testosterone can lead to “masculine” characteristics, a typical woman’s dose would be so small that these effects are rare. Additionally, many of the reported side effects from testosterone are those associated with synthetic testosterone-like drugs, not natural bio-identical testosterone. While side effects are uncommon, they can include acne, fluid retention and hair growth.
Natural, or bio-identical, hormones have a molecular structure identical to the hormones that the body produces. Even though they may be synthesized in a laboratory they cannot be distinguished from those the body produces, and the body treats them as such. Synthetic drugs, on the other hand, are similar in molecular structure but are not exactly the same as the natural molecule. Synthetic drug molecules differ from natural molecules; therefore, the body treats them differently, which can lead to side effects.
Replacement therapy for testosterone include the natural testosterone which many physicians believe from studies that it is safer than the synthetic testosterone. Natural testosterone replacement for both sexes is available as custom compounded creams, gels, injections, and implanted pellets. Serum levels are followed closely till the desired range of free testosterone is achieved in both sexes and symptoms have improved. Certainly weight training helps to maintain and increase testosterone in both sexes and combining cardio with weight training gives the benefit of keeping body fat to acceptable levels with muscle toning.
