Entering Menopause And Testosterone May Need Replenished
Not many people usually associate testosterone with females, considering it more a needed androgen for virility in men. In reality, it is one of the about six androgens found in females and is one of the hormone adjustments the body makes during menopause. There are several hormones lost during menopause and testosterone is one of them that affects the libido and can increase the sexual desire and sexual sensitivity. It has also been shown to decrease breast tenderness in menopausal women.
Androgen replacement therapy is often used for women going through natural menopause and testosterone treatments are also part of the therapy for surgical menopause. Testosterone treatments are also used for vasomotor symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes along with increased energy. Women in hormone replacement therapy for menopause and testosterone are part of the therapy also have a better feeling on well-being.
However, testosterone is not that cure-all, end-all for menopause, as there are also some possible undesirable side effects. Testosterone has been used in hormone therapy for over 70 years but there are many myths surrounding its use that has many women shunning its benefits. Among some of the myths of mixing menopause and testosterone are the voice becoming lower, the growth of facial hair and having an overactive sex drive. Under low doses, these side effects are extremely rare.
Learning If Testosterone Level Is Too Low
There are some signals that become evident during menopause and testosterone levels become deficient. The woman may experience less pleasure from sex and will be less sensitive in the genital and breast areas. Although it is often thought this insensitivity is also past of the diminished sex drive. There may be also a lower orgasmic response and lack of ability to respond to their sexual partner.
Overall, menopause and testosterone deficiency can also result in a lower level of energy and add to depression associated with menopause. It should also be pointed out that not every symptom of menopause will respond to testosterone therapy, even when used in conjunction with hormone replacements of estrogen and progesterone. It remains unclear how the body calculates an exact mix of the androgens to keep all the systems in balance.
Many of the symptoms of menopause and testosterone deficiency are blamed entirely on the lack of female hormones, but most physicians familiar with the need for testosterone in the female's pool of androgens and the role it plays in helping lead a more normal life.