Testosterone generally means male. The hormone is associated with typical male traits of body hair growth, muscle bulk, strength and sex drive. Both men and women produce testosterone, although men produce higher quantities than women. Testosterone in women plays a distinct role in overall health and well-being, and levels that are too high or too low may contribute to health issues requiring treatment.
Testosterone in Women
The adrenal glands produce most of the testosterone women need, with the ovaries producing smaller quantities. Women generally produce a fraction of the amount of testosterone produced by men. Average testosterone levels for women vary greatly but typically range from 50 to 1,000 ng/dL. Levels begin declining during the years prior to and following menopause, when the ovaries stop producing both estrogen and testosterone, says Susan Rako, M.D., on the website Power Surge, which focuses on menopause-related issues. Testosterone is also sensitive to stress, and production will drop during times of increased anxiety, according to the website BodyLogicMD.
Effects
Testosterone in women maintains physical, mental and sexual health, Rako notes. In women, testosterone stimulates hair growth and the development of bone, muscle and skin. Testosterone helps regulate mood, affects memory and concentration, and promotes a general sense of well-being. The hormone drives a woman's libido, influencing sexual interest, arousal and response.
Testosterone Deficiency
Many women are unaffected by the natural drop in testosterone levels associated with menopause. Others, however, experience symptoms of testosterone deficiency, states Rako. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include loss of sexual desire and sensation, lack of energy, dull moods, dry skin, brittle hair and loss of muscle tone. Other effects include decreased red blood cell production, loss of bone calcium and urinary incontinence due to the loss of muscle tone in the bladder.
Testosterone Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy may help lessen the effects of testosterone deficiency, but it should be used cautiously, advises obstetrician and gynecologist Mary Gallenberg, M.D., a contributor to MayoClinic.com. Testosterone replacement therapy may be useful to improve libido, depression or extreme fatigue in women with low testosterone levels because of natural or surgically induced menopause, for example, after a complete hysterectomy. Creams, gels or patches containing testosterone are most often used, although none have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use. Many factors other than testosterone, for example, relationship difficulties or chronic health conditions, contribute to libido in a woman, Gallenberg notes, and testosterone replacement alone may not improve a woman's sex drive. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction and exercise, may help improve symptoms of low testosterone.
Considerations
Testosterone replacement therapy should not be used in women with a history of breast or uterine cancer or those with cardiovascular or liver disease, cautions Gallenberg. Testosterone levels higher than the normal range for women may cause scalp baldness with overgrowth of hair elsewhere on the body, mood changes, acne and deepening of the voice.
