Female Sexual Dysfunction: Common Questions and Answers

Female Sexual Dysfunction: Common Questions and Answers

By the time a female reaches menopause, testosterone decreases by 50% of its initial levels. So, during menopause, which typically appears between the ages of 45-50, the testosterone level begins to decline at a faster rate than ever before. Hence, as a result of testosterone reduction with age, a woman may begin to experience low sex drive, mood swings, and other symptoms, like depression, fatigue, and more. When a female reaches 30 years, testosterone levels start to decline by 1% each year.

Essential nutrients support your body’s functions and help manage symptoms of low testosterone. While specific dietary changes to increase testosterone aren’t proven, maintaining a healthy weight and including vitamins and minerals can improve energy levels and mood. Regular physical activity boosts endorphins, potentially enhancing libido and reducing stress. Treatments for low testosterone in women haven’t been largely studied by medical experts. While doctors know about the effects of excess testosterone in women, the symptoms of too-little testosterone aren’t as well known. As a result, doctors don’t always have the same regimen for treatments related to low testosterone levels.

She received her medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students. Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.

Surgical removal of ovaries or damage from chemotherapy significantly reduces testosterone. Likewise, adrenal glands contribute to testosterone production. Conditions like adrenal insufficiency can cause decreased levels. Your pituitary gland, responsible for hormone release, also affects testosterone. Inadequate hormone production due to hypopituitarism can result in lowered levels. Women who have undergone bilateral oophorectomy are likely to face significant drops in testosterone, as the ovaries are primary sources of the hormone. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can impair ovarian function, further decreasing testosterone production.

Many labs use different standards for what is considered high or low, but they are all similar and a blatantly low testosterone level is easily identified using the blood test. Avoid DHEA supplements if you have a family history of hormone-related tumors like breast, ovarian, or adrenal cancer. These food supplements weren’t really helpful to raise testosterone in studies, either. “When testosterone replacement is used in women, a fraction of the dose used in men is typically prescribed, but it is still considered an off-label use of the medication,” says Barrera. But that doesn’t mean all men will feel the negative effects.

Prior knowledge gives you a much better chance of recognising the condition in its early stages when symptoms are mild. This article delves into the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatments of low testosterone in women, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing the symptoms of low testosterone. Testosterone belongs to a group of hormones known as androgens. Testosterone levels affect fertility, sex drive, red blood cell production, muscle mass, and fat distribution. Testosterone levels naturally begin to drop once it peaks in your 30s.

Some birth control methods may alter testosterone balance, impacting sexual interest. Treatments like cancer therapies often damage hormone-producing glands. Knowing these potential effects helps you and your healthcare provider manage your overall health effectively. Low testosterone in women can cause symptoms like mood changes, depression, decreased sex drive, fatigue, and hot flashes. This can be done with lifestyle and dietary changes, by addressing underlying medical conditions, and balancing hormones for good physical and mental health. Disruptions in your body’s hormone production can lead to low testosterone levels. Ovarian function plays a central role, with the ovaries being a primary source of testosterone in women.

Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, or experience less common symptoms. Alison Ozgur, RDN, is a wellness expert with advanced training in whole-food, plant-based nutrition. She is also an adjunct instructor of nutrition at Jersey College in Teterboro, New Jersey, and a board-certified lifestyle medicine professional through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Robert Jasmer, MD, is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine.

That’s why some experts and patient advocates around the world are calling for a name change how to know testosterone level at home better reflect the condition’s true nature. A more accurate label could raise awareness and improve the way it’s diagnosed and treated. In addition to conventional TRT, explains Dr Foster, there are also other medications in use that are not strictly external testosterone, “but that can be used to increased to testosterone levels”. These include clomiphene tablets, taken daily, or HCG (human chorionic gonaotropin) injections, given 2-4 times per week. “A lack of both strength training and cardiovascular exercise can contribute to reduced testosterone,” says Dr Huang, who also blames poor sleep. Factors like excessive screen time and the ‘always-on’ nature of modern life interferes with restorative sleep, which in turn affects hormone levels,” he explains.