1. Women Have Testosterone Too
Although it's often thought of as a male hormone, testosterone is a hormone that is present in the bodies of both men and women. For men, a normal testosterone blood level is 900 to 1,100 ng/dl in men; in women, normal levels are 15-100 ng/dl. When testosterone levels are too low, the result can be loss of sex drive, depression, fatigue, weight loss, irritability, as well as loss of muscle and skin tone. Men also see a decrease in erectile function and sperm production if testosterone levels dip.
2. Hormone Levels Change in Mid-life
Women often experience testosterone deficiency at menopause, and men can see declining levels in their fifties or sixties. Another problem that can occur in men is that their levels of estrogen become higher as they age. When this happens, it tricks the body into thinking that testosterone levels are high. Then, the body stops making testosterone, and hormone levels become unbalanced. Although you can purchase synthetic testosterone products that are designed to replace this hormone, there are also natural testosterone replacements that some say are a safer approach.
3. Some Advice for Men
If you are a man and think you might have a testosterone deficiency, your doctor can perform a blood test to let you know for sure. If your estradiol (estrogen) levels are high, total testosterone is mid to high, and free testosterone is low or low-normal, take 80 to 90 mg of zinc every day. You should also eat about 110 mg of phytoestrogens from soy every day. These phytoestrogens will help the liver to remove excess estrogen from the blood. Reduce your consumption of alcohol, because this can increase estrogen levels in men and women. Reducing the estrogen levels usually allows the body to start making more testosterone on its own.
4. Beware of Bioidentical Creams
There are many testosterone creams on the market that claim that they are "all natural" and "bioidentical" to the hormones found in the body. The manufacturers of these creams claim that they are safer than synthetic hormone creams that are made in a laboratory. However, keep in mind that these creams are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and there are very few studies that have looked at their safety.
5. Women Can Benefit From DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, skin and brain. It is a precursor to testosterone. You can take DHEA in a supplement; when it is given to women, testosterone levels increase because the DHEA converts to testosterone. In men, this conversion is not as likely to take place. In one study that looked at people taking DHEA for five years, the supplement was shown to increase energy levels, improve skin tone, and improve quality of sleep. Patients also reported that their sex drive was improved.
