Top 10 Reasons Why Women Need Testosterone

The discussion about significance of maintenance of testosterone levels in men is frequently heard and read. We all are aware of the fact that how important it is for men. However, little to no attention is paid to its role in women. There are plenty of products available in the market that address the issue of decline in testosterone levels in men as they age. Even though it is mainly a male sex hormone concerned with the development if secondary sexual characteristics in men such as deepening of voice, growth of male pattern hair on the body, increase in the bone mass, increase in the size and strength of the muscles, control of sex drive, production of sperms, etc., it is also produced by women.

Despite the fact that the level of testosterone produced in women is only 10% of its amount produced in men, it performs significantly important functions. During the early fertile years, women produce 10 times more testosterone than estrogen which emphasizes its importance in women. It greatly helps in the maintenance of sexual and physical health. Just like men, testosterone levels also drop in women as they age. Unfortunately, not much attention is given to the effects a drop in testosterone level can have on women.

Testosterone belongs to a group of hormones called Steroid hormones or Androgens produced by our body. As a matter of fact, Androgens perform more than 150 functions in the body of a woman.

Androstenedione and testosterone are the two key androgens.

 

Testosterone Levels in Women:

There are various locations where testosterone is produced in women. The main sites being ovaries, fat cells, and adrenal glands.

The normal range of testosterone in women varies from 8 to 60 ng/dl according to the Mayo Medical Laboratories and it is very important to maintain it within this level.

 

Why do all Women Need Testosterone?

As mentioned earlier, androgens perform more than 150 functions inside the female body. However, the most important functions of testosterone are mentioned below.

• It Maintains the Bone Strength: As in men, testosterone plays an important role in the maintenance of bone mass in women as well. It must be present within a balanced range to perform its function appropriately. Too much or too low levels of testosterone may have harmful effects on the integrity of bones. Women having low testosterone levels are prone to develop Osteopenia (decreased bone density) and Osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become weak and vulnerable to fracture).

 

• It Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Events: Testosterone produces plenty of beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. It helps in preventing dyslipidemia and hypertension. It reduces the amount of coagulation factors in blood, consequently decreasing the chances of a stroke and heart attack. It is also concerned with vasodilation of the vessels so that the blood supply to all tissues is adequately maintained.

 

• It Maintains the Libido (the sex drive): Testosterone plays a key role in regulating female sexual functions including libido, arousal and orgasm. Majority of women have reported experiencing a decline in their desire to have sex after reaching menopause. This can be attributed to the lowering levels of testosterone post menopause. The sexual functions have been found to be revitalized in numerous post-menopausal women who were treated with testosterone-replacement therapy.

 

• It Acts as an Anti-Aging Agent: Testosterone is a potent anti-aging hormone. Maintaining testosterone levels in women confers robust anti-aging effects. It does so by converting fat into muscles, keeping the skin healthy, reducing a risk of heart attack, increasing musculoskeletal strength and mental wellness.

 

• It Protects against Breast Cancer: The expression ‘Breast Cancer’ can drive an involuntary quiver on women. Despite thousands of researches done and billions of dollars spent, Breast cancer still tops the list of most common cancers in women. A number of studies have shown the protective effects of testosterone against breast cancer. A recent study conducted in 2003 showed that testosterone appreciably hindered the growth of breasts cells, leading the writers to come to a conclusion that testosterone may guard against the development of breast cancer.

 

• It Reduces the Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Studies have proven that low testosterone levels can increase the risk of development of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in men and women, both. Thus, testosterone has been found to have a beneficial effect on cognitive functions of the brain. A few ways in which testosterone affects the brain as suggested by the scientists are following:
• It improves the blood supply to the brain by protecting vascular (blood vessel) diseases.
• Decreased testosterone levels have been associated with increased incidence of stroke and heart failure which can act as hostile factors against cognitive brain function thus increasing the risk of development of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Testosterone can possibly fortify functions of the brain, especially concerning the areas which are responsible for developing these diseases.

 

• It Combats Certain Psychological Conditions: Low levels of testosterone usually have a bleak effect on mood. Testosterone has been linked with the control of serotonin (the happy hormone) release in the brain. So, adequate levels of testosterone are necessary to help prevent mood disturbances such as depression, anxiety, mania etc. in similar ways certain anxiolytics and anti-depressants work to manage mood.

 

• It Eases Menopausal Symptoms: Testosterone is also believed to be helpful in dealing with several menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, mood swings, night sweats, weight gain, loss of breast tissues, thinning of hair, dry skin, etc. These symptoms can dramatically affect the quality of the life of a woman who is suffering from them. Testosterone can reduce the intensity of these symptoms.

 

• It Prevents Obesity and Diabetes: Obesity has strongly been associated with low levels of testosterone. Studies have shown various beneficial effects of testosterone in impeding weight gain and an increase in body mass index (BMI) and in turn decreasing the risk of diabetes in both women and men.

 

• It Enhances the Sense of Well-being: Testosterone can also be known as the ‘Personality hormone’ as it furnishes motivation, boosts self-confidence, assertiveness, general sense of well-being and a feeling of competence in the body.

 

Although, only a few of hundreds of beneficial effects of testosterone are mentioned above, it is evident how significantly important it is for women. According to an author, named Dr. Susan Rako, MD, “It is the Hormone of Desire”. It is important for women to pay attention to their declining testosterone levels to maintain a steady state of sexual, mental and physical health.