Female Sexual Dysfunction: Common Questions and Answers

Low Testosterone In Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and how does testosterone show up on a blood test not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. A commercial testosterone product intended for men is another option, but never do this without a prescription from a health care professional. So while I do sometimes prescribe a product meant for guys, it is not convenient, as one must be very precise about the dosage. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your testosterone levels and reaching your weight goal. There aren’t many studies on testosterone treatment in premenopause.

Testosterone injections given in the muscle can lead to very high testosterone levels and tend to be very painful. Injected testosterone that leads to high levels can cause rage, acne, excessive facial or body hair growth (hirsutism), and hypersexuality. Similarly, testosterone pellets and implants are discouraged because they, too, can lead to very high testosterone levels. Testosterone is best administered on the skin because it has fewer adverse effects, especially on the liver or cholesterol.

So, the integrated exercise regimen was designed that does not require a gym setup or expensive equipment, yet delivers the benefits of a structured workout. Each exercise in the regimen was carefully selected for its ability to engage multiple muscle groups while remaining accessible and cost-effective. The regimen focuses on key aspects of functional fitness, including strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination—essential components for enhancing overall muscular strength in women. For instance, squats and tandem walks improve lower body strength and balance24, while arm swings with loads and crunches enhance upper body and core stability25. Additionally, bending and roll-ups promote flexibility and spinal mobility26. This structured combination ensures a well-rounded approach to fitness while minimizing resource requirements and supporting broader applicability across diverse populations.

There are lifestyle changes which have been proven to dramatically improve the quality of life of people experiencing high testosterone. Oral contraceptives are sometimes also prescribed to treat and help block the production of excess testosterone. The best oral contraceptives for high testosterone and hirsutism are those with low doses of norgestimate, desogestrel, and gestodene.

Although no definitive conclusions can yet be drawn about the effects of long-term testosterone use, these findings offer reassurance for individuals who have started or want to start testosterone use. There are currently no transgender athletes in the professional game in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Total RNA was isolated with the NucleoSpin RNA Kit (Macherey-Nagel), and cDNA was reverse transcribed using the high-capacity cDNA reverse transcription kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. WS designed the study, conducted the experiments, collected the data and analyzed the data. If a participant was unable to complete crunches for the full 5 min, they were encouraged to take short breaks when experiencing fatigue or discomfort. These rest periods were limited to 10–15 s, enabling them to resume the exercise without losing momentum. While some studies (and a lot of anecdotal reports) suggest that it may help, there is currently not enough evidence to support the use of testosterone to delay cognitive decline, treat depression, or generally enhance mental well-being.

However, sometimes testosterone levels can be too high or too low, which may indicate other health issues. Women with high testosterone may reduce their testosterone levels naturally by incorporating certain foods and herbs into their diets. If you take a blood test and find that your testosterone levels are high, there are some foods and herbs you can incorporate into your diet to help reduce levels naturally. Medical conditions causing low levels of testosterone, such as ovarian tumors, should be treated by a medical professional.

With better understanding, better care, and a stronger voice for women’s health, we can ensure that hormonal symptoms are taken seriously – and treated with the urgency and compassion they deserve. And yet, hormonal health is still too often treated as an afterthought. Many women describe years of feeling dismissed by doctors, told to “come back if you want to get pregnant”, or offered little more than the contraceptive pill. On average, women with PCOS wait over two years and consult several different healthcare professionals before receiving a diagnosis.

In this article, we will talk about normal testosterone levels in women to help you determine whether your testosterone is balanced or needs proper treatment. But before we discuss testosterone levels, let’s first see its role in women’s health. First, your healthcare provider does a physical examination and talks to you about your symptoms and medical history. Many providers hesitate to diagnose low testosterone because research on the link between testosterone levels and specific symptoms isn’t well known. Low testosterone is often hard to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other conditions like depression, thyroid issues or low iron (anemia).

But bodybuilders take supraphysiologic doses of it—that is, amounts much higher than any woman’s body would ever make on its own. When experts prescribe testosterone to postmenopausal women, it is intended to replicate the amount a younger woman makes, and taking too much can lead to an array of unpleasant side effects. Barrera says that estrogen therapy can bind up testosterone faster. The higher SHBG protein levels can attach quickly to lower your free testosterone levels.