Low testosterone is usually talked about as a men’s health issue, but women have testosterone too. And when your levels are low, you can feel it.
The symptoms aren’t always what you’d expect either. You may be more tired than you used to be, have less interest in sex, struggle to maintain muscle, or notice that your mood and concentration aren’t quite the same. Especially in your 30s, it’s easy to look at those changes and think you’re stressed, overworked, not sleeping enough, or just getting older.
Sometimes that’s the answer. But sometimes, hormones are worth looking at for improving women’s health.
Testosterone Isn’t Just a “Male” Hormone
Estrogen and progesterone get most of the attention when we talk about women’s hormones. Testosterone tends to get left out of the conversation.
Women naturally produce testosterone in the ovaries and adrenal glands, just in much smaller amounts than men do. It contributes to things like energy, muscle and bone health, mood, libido, and sexual function.
One of the challenges is that testing testosterone in women isn’t always as straightforward as it is in men. Women’s levels are much lower to begin with, and there’s still some inconsistency in how those results are interpreted. That can make it easier for low testosterone to be missed, particularly when your symptoms could point to several other things.
When Testosterone Starts to Drop and Why It’s Missed
Testosterone doesn’t suddenly drop when you reach menopause. Levels change throughout adulthood and generally decrease as women get older, so you can start noticing changes before menopause is even on your mind.
Your 30s are also a pretty easy time to explain away the symptoms.
You’re exhausted because you’re busy. Your libido is low because you’re stressed. You’re having trouble concentrating because you aren’t sleeping well. Lower activity levels can contribute to changes in weight or muscle tone.
Any one of those explanations could be true. The problem is that symptoms related to low testosterone can overlap with stress, depression, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, and plenty of other health issues. If you’re dealing with several changes at once or they aren’t getting better, it’s worth asking whether there’s more going on.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
Low testosterone doesn’t look exactly the same for everyone. Some women notice sexual changes first, while others are more bothered by their energy, mood, or physical changes.
Symptoms can include:
- Low energy or feeling tired more often
- Decreased sex drive
- Loss of muscle or strength
- Trouble concentrating or brain fog
- Changes in mood
- Less motivation
- Changes in body composition or increased body fat
- Lower stamina
- Changes in sexual response
It’s important not to use a symptom list to diagnose yourself. Fatigue alone doesn’t mean your testosterone is low, and neither does a change in your sex drive. But when you’re noticing several of these things at the same time, particularly without an obvious reason, talk to your doctor about it.
How Low Testosterone Is Diagnosed
There isn’t much value in guessing whether your testosterone is low based on symptoms alone. Bloodwork gives your provider a much better idea of what’s happening with your hormone levels.
You’ll also talk about what you’ve noticed and how long it’s been going on. Your medical history, medications, menstrual history, lifestyle, and other symptoms can all matter here. Depending on what you’re experiencing, your provider may want to check more than testosterone since another hormonal or health issue could be causing similar symptoms.
The numbers are only part of the conversation. A lab result doesn’t tell the whole story by itself. Your provider will look at your results alongside how you’re actually feeling before recommending treatments like testosterone replacement therapy.
Insurance often covers some diagnostic lab work, but coverage varies from one plan to another. Check with your insurance provider if you’re unsure about your benefits.
Treatment Options: Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy with EvexiPEL in Tyler, TX
For women who are candidates for hormone replacement therapy, Just You Aesthetics offers bioidentical hormone pellet therapy with the EvexiPEL® Method.
Hormone pellets are tiny pellets placed just beneath the skin during an office visit. Once they’re in place, they release hormones gradually over time. For someone who doesn’t want to keep up with a daily pill, cream, or regular injections, that’s one of the main appeals of pellet therapy.
Treatment doesn’t start with the pellets, though. It starts with figuring out whether hormone therapy makes sense for you in the first place. Dr. Spain will review your lab results, symptoms, health history, and other factors before recommending a treatment plan.
If you do move forward with EvexiPEL, your dose is selected based on your individual evaluation. The pellets typically remain active for several months, although exactly how long they last and how often you’ll need another insertion can vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can low testosterone in women be treated without hormone therapy?
It depends on why your levels are low and what else may be contributing to your symptoms. Sleep, stress, nutrition, medications, and other medical conditions can all affect how you feel. In some cases, addressing another issue may help. In others, your provider may recommend hormone therapy after reviewing your symptoms and test results.
Is low testosterone in women covered by insurance?
Your insurance may cover bloodwork or other testing used to investigate your symptoms. Hormone pellet therapy is often paid for out of pocket. Since every plan handles coverage differently, check with your insurance company for specifics.
What age should women get tested for low testosterone?
There’s no particular birthday when you need to start having your testosterone checked. Testing is usually more useful when there’s a reason for it. If you’re experiencing persistent low libido, fatigue, changes in strength, trouble concentrating, or other unexplained symptoms, bring them up with your doctor. That can happen in your 30s, long before menopause.
Will treating low testosterone help me lose weight?
Testosterone plays a role in muscle and body composition, but hormone therapy shouldn’t be treated as a weight-loss shortcut. If you’re gaining weight or noticing changes in your body along with other symptoms, testing can help your provider see whether hormones are one part of the issue.
How is this different from menopause hormone therapy?
Menopause isn’t the only reason a woman might need to talk to her doctor about hormones. Menopausal hormone therapy commonly involves estrogen, with progesterone used in certain circumstances. Testosterone is a different hormone with different effects. The treatment that’s appropriate for you depends on which hormones are involved, your symptoms, and your health history.
Talk to Dr. Spain About Hormone Therapy in Tyler, TX
You know when something has changed in your body, even if you can’t put your finger on why. If you’ve been dealing with low energy, changes in your sex drive, brain fog, loss of strength, or a combination of symptoms that just won’t go away, consider getting your hormone levels checked.
Dr. Stephen Spain at Just You Aesthetics can review your symptoms and lab results with you and talk through your options. Contact Just You Aesthetics to schedule a consultation and learn more about testosterone therapy and hormone therapy for women in Tyler, TX.
