The effects of low testosterone on men is well known and well publicized, however low testosterone also affects women. During menopause, or after removal of the ovaries, testosterone levels in women can drop by more than a third. A small, but growing, body of literature has shown the impact that low testosterone can have on the health and wellness of women, according to Project AWARE, a website dedicated to highlighting women's health issues.
Low Libido
Loss of sexual desire is the most common symptom of low testosterone in women. Testosterone is one of the primary hormones that affects the sex drive in both men and women, and a deficiency impairs both desire and performance. Lack of sexual desire in women with low testosterone can include the inability to be sexually aroused. This lack of sexual arousal can cause difficulty in reaching orgasm and vaginal dryness. Women with low testosterone also may have a reduction in the frequency of sexual fantasies. In a 2002 study at the Boston University School of Medicine reported in the "Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy," subjects reported improvements in sexual desire, arousal, vaginal lubrication and frequency of sexual fantasies following treatment with the testosterone precursor DHEA.
Fatigue
A lack of energy or feelings of physical weakness can be a symptom of low testosterone. Unfortunately, since feeling fatigued is a common symptom linked to a number of issues it is often goes unlinked to low testosterone when reported with the absence of other symptoms, Healthy Women.org notes.
Depression
Imbalances between testosterone and estrogen can cause, or increase, feelings of depression in women. Although commonly a symptom of low testosterone, depression can also be associated with high testosterone in some cases. A study conducted at University Hospital in Essen, Germany found that depression could be caused when women had low testosterone or when high testosterone was present women with low estrogen. Weight gain and loss of sexual libido accompanied depression caused by low testosterone, while depression caused by high testosterone and low estrogen included symptoms such as aggression and increased sexual libido, according to an article in the April 2002 edition of the journal "Maturitas." The treatment of low testosterone can relieve depression, improve mood and give an increased sense of well-being.
References
- Project AWARE: Testosterone and Its Benefits to Women
- Life Extension Magazine: Why Aging Women Need Testosterone
- "Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy"; Androgen Replacement Therapy with Dehydroepiandrosterone for Androgen Insufficiency and Female Sexual Dysfunction: Androgen and Questionnaire Results; Munarriz R, Talakou L, Flaherty E, Gioia M, Hoag L, Kim N, Traish A, Goldstien I, Guay A, Spark R; February 2002
- Healthy Women: Androgen
- "Maturitas"; The Impact of Testosterone Imbalance on Depression and Women's Health; U.D. Rohr, April 2002
