Why Are Women Taking Testosterone? Understanding the Growing Trend in Female Hormone Optimization
Did you know that testosterone levels in women can drop by up to 50% between ages 20 and 40? While often considered a "male hormone," testosterone plays a crucial role in women's health, affecting everything from energy and mood to bone density and sexual wellness. This growing awareness has led more women to include testosterone as part of their comprehensive bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
For years, the conversation around hormone replacement therapy for women focused primarily on estrogen and progesterone. Since 2012, Affinity Whole Health has recognized that optimal hormone balance often requires addressing testosterone alongside estradiol, estriol, and progesterone. Our medical team has over a decade of experience with comprehensive bioidentical HRT that includes testosterone, witnessing firsthand how this complete approach transforms women's quality of life.
Understanding Testosterone's Role in Women's Health
Women naturally produce testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands, though at levels about 5-10 percent of what men produce. This hormone contributes to maintaining muscle mass and bone strength, supporting cognitive function and mental clarity, and regulating mood and energy levels. It also plays a vital role in sexual health, including libido and arousal.
The production of testosterone in women follows a predictable pattern throughout life. Levels peak in the late teens and early twenties, then begin a gradual decline. By menopause, many women lose a significant portion of their testosterone production. This slow decrease often means symptoms develop subtly over time, making them easy to dismiss as "normal aging" when they're actually treatable through comprehensive bioidentical HRT.
Common Reasons Women Add Testosterone to Their HRT
Persistent Fatigue and Low Energy
One of the most common complaints that brings women to explore comprehensive HRT is unexplained fatigue that doesn't improve with rest. Women with low testosterone often describe feeling like they're moving through molasses, lacking the physical and mental energy they once had. An international consensus statement published in 2019 found that women in the lowest quartile of testosterone levels were three times more likely to report severe fatigue compared to those in the highest quartile.
Decreased Libido and Sexual Dysfunction
Perhaps no symptom of low testosterone in women is more distressing than the loss of sexual desire and function. Testosterone directly influences sexual desire through both physiological and psychological pathways. When testosterone drops, women may notice decreased interest in sex, reduced arousal, difficulty achieving orgasm, and discomfort during intercourse.
Research supports testosterone's crucial role in female sexual health. A comprehensive review published in the journal of Clinical Endocrinology found that adding testosterone to HRT consistently improved sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction in postmenopausal women with low testosterone levels.
Cognitive Changes and Brain Fog
The mental clarity issues associated with low testosterone often sneak up on women gradually. Testosterone receptors exist throughout the brain, particularly in areas responsible for memory, attention, and executive function. A 2024 pilot study from the UK found that testosterone therapy was associated with significant improvements in all cognitive and mood symptoms.
Muscle Loss and Body Composition Changes
Women in their 40s and 50s often notice frustrating changes in their body composition despite maintaining their diet and exercise routines. Testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining lean muscle mass and regulating fat distribution. A 2020 randomized controlled trial published in the Menopause journal found that testosterone administration significantly increased muscle mass in women with low testosterone levels.
The Science Behind Bioidentical HRT with Testosterone
How Comprehensive HRT Works
At Affinity Whole Health, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy begins with comprehensive hormone testing to establish baseline levels of all key hormones - not just testosterone, but also estradiol, progesterone, and other related hormones. The goal is to restore optimal balance across all hormones.
Many women receive testosterone as part of a customized bioidentical hormone Therapy program that may also include estradiol, estriol, and progesterone based on their individual needs. This compounded approach allows for precise dosing specific to the patient. A cream is typically applied daily to areas with thin skin while injectable testosterone is administered subcutaneously once or twice per week.
Benefits Women Report from Comprehensive HRT Including Testosterone
Physical Improvements
Once the appropriate dose is determined with your medical provider - which can take time and careful adjustments - many women notice improved energy and libido levels within the first few weeks of starting bioidentical HRT that includes testosterone. They wake up feeling more refreshed and maintain better stamina throughout the day. Muscle tone and strength improvements typically become noticeable after 8-12 weeks at the right dose. Body composition changes follow, with women often seeing a reduction in fat after 2-3 months. It's important to remember that finding your optimal hormone balance is a personalized process, and results vary based on individual needs and responses.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
The cognitive improvements from comprehensive HRT can be life-changing. Mental clarity returns gradually, with women reporting easier focus, better recall, and improved problem-solving. Mood stability represents another significant benefit, with better emotional regulation and reduced anxiety. Many women describe feeling more like themselves again when all their hormones - including testosterone - are properly balanced.
Quality of Life Enhancements
The improvements in sexual health extend beyond physical function to enhance intimate relationships. Women report not just increased desire but also greater satisfaction and connection with their partners. The combination of increased energy, better mood, and improved physical function creates a positive cycle that enhances overall wellbeing.
Safety Considerations and Management
Common Side Effects
Most side effects from bioidentical HRT are mild and manageable when treatment is properly monitored. When testosterone is included, these may include mild acne or oily skin (usually temporary), slightly increased hair growth (manageable with normal grooming), and temporary menstrual changes in premenopausal women. Voice changes and masculine features are extremely rare when testosterone is kept within normal ranges as part of balanced HRT.
Your Support System: Patient Care Coordinators
At Affinity Whole Health, Patient Care Coordinators (PCCs) are your dedicated support system throughout your entire HRT journey. Your PCC is available by call, text, or email for questions about your bioidentical hormones. Need help with application techniques? Experiencing new symptoms? They're right there in the office with your medical provider to get answers quickly.
Unlike traditional clinics where you wait days for email responses, or online-only clinics with chatbots, PCCs provide immediate, personal support. They coordinate directly with your medical provider when adjustments are needed and help you understand how your hormones work together. Your PCC ensures you're never alone in your hormone optimization journey.
Who Should Avoid Testosterone in HRT
Women with elevated red blood cell counts, poorly-controlled hypertension or congestive heart failure, should not use testosterone as part of their HRT. Those with cardiovascular conditions or history of blood clots need careful evaluation before starting any hormone replacement therapy. HRT is not for women with active breast or uterine cancer or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Treatment Process
The journey begins with a comprehensive consultation and hormone testing for all key hormones - testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones. Affinity Medical Providers develop customized bioidentical HRT plans based on your unique hormone profile, symptoms, and health goals.
At Affinity Whole Health, women receive their testosterone as a compounded bioidentical hormone cream or injectable that's customized to their specific needs. Patient Care Coordinators working with Affinity medical providers guide you through using your customized medication and support you throughout your treatment journey.
Most women experience gradual improvements over several months. Energy levels and sexual health often improve within 2-4 weeks, and physical changes like improved muscle tone typically manifest after 2-3 months. The full benefits of comprehensive bioidentical HRT often aren't apparent until 5-6 months of consistent therapy.
Integrating with Overall Wellness
We Don’t Guess, We Test
Bioidentical HRT works best as part of a comprehensive hormone optimization strategy. At Affinity Whole Health, we look at your complete hormonal picture, balancing estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone to achieve optimal results.
Lifestyle factors play a crucial role: adequate protein and healthy fats support hormone production, resistance training combined with cardiovascular exercise amplifies the benefits of balanced hormones, quality sleep enhances HRT results, and stress management helps maintain hormonal balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bioidentical HRT with testosterone safe? Current research supports safety when properly monitored and dosed. A key 2022 article published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine concluded that testosterone therapy is safe and beneficial for women with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, based on published data going back 80 years.
How is medical testosterone different from steroids? Medical testosterone in bioidentical HRT uses doses that restore normal physiological levels, typically 1/10th to 1/20th of male doses, unlike anabolic steroid abuse which involves supraphysiological doses (well above natural levels).
Will I need testosterone with my other hormones? Not all women need testosterone as part of their HRT. Your provider will determine based on your symptoms and lab work whether you would benefit from testosterone alongside other hormones like estradiol, estriol, and progesterone.
Making an Informed Decision
The decision to include testosterone in your bioidentical HRT should be made with comprehensive information and professional guidance. The transformation possible with properly balanced hormones - including testosterone when appropriate - can be remarkable for women who've struggled with fatigue, low libido, cognitive issues, and body composition changes.
At Affinity Whole Health, our medical team specializes in comprehensive bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women, creating customized hormone creams that may include testosterone, estradiol, estriol, and progesterone based on your individual needs. Our Patient Care Coordinators support you every step of the way. If you're experiencing symptoms that might be related to hormone imbalance, don't dismiss them as inevitable aspects of aging. Contact Affinity Whole Health today to schedule your consultation and discover how bioidentical HRT can help restore your vitality.