Testosterone in Women: Why It Matters During Menopause
Testosterone in Women: Why It Matters During Menopause
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, usually happening between the ages of 45 and 55. It marks the end of menstrual cycles and fertility, mainly because the ovaries reduce their production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. While these hormones get most of the attention, there is another hormone that plays an important role during this time—testosterone.
Though often thought of as a male hormone, women also produce testosterone. The ovaries and adrenal glands make small amounts throughout life. Testosterone helps with energy levels, mood stability, muscle strength, and sexual desire. Starting from their twenties, women’s testosterone levels gradually decline with age—and this decline becomes more noticeable during perimenopause and menopause.
When testosterone drops too low during menopause, it can cause several symptoms that affect quality of life. These include low sex drive or libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass or strength, vaginal dryness, mood changes such as depression or anxiety, thinning hair or dry skin, trouble sleeping—and even difficulty conceiving for those still trying to get pregnant.
Interestingly, some medications like hormonal contraceptives or oral estrogen treatments can further lower testosterone levels by altering its balance with estrogen. This imbalance may sometimes lead to symptoms like acne or unwanted facial hair due to relatively higher testosterone compared to estrogen.
Because these symptoms overlap with those caused by declining estrogen alone but are not always relieved by standard menopausal hormone therapy (which focuses on replacing estrogen), researchers have started looking at how adding testosterone might help women feel better during this transition.
Studies show that when menopausal hormone therapy includes transdermal (through-the-skin) testosterone along with estradiol (a form of estrogen), many women experience significant improvements in mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety. This combined approach has been linked to better mental health outcomes than using estradiol alone for some women.
Beyond mood benefits, restoring healthy testosterone levels can improve sexual function by increasing libido and arousal; it can also help maintain muscle mass and strength which tend to decline after menopause leading to weakness or fatigue.
For some women experiencing troublesome menopausal symptoms related to low testosterone—like persistent tiredness despite rest or loss of interest in sex—testosterone therapy under medical supervision may offer relief where other treatments fall short.
In summary (without saying so), understanding that testosterone matters just as much as other hormones during menopause opens new doors for managing this stage more effectively—not just focusing on hot flashes but addressing energy levels,mood stability,and sexual health too. Women who suspect their symptoms might be linked partly to low testosterone should discuss testing options with their healthcare provider since blood tests are needed for accurate diagnosis before considering treatment options tailored specifically for them.
