After spending years as an athlete and personal trainer, talk of boosting testosterone was common among my male counterparts. We often equate testosterone with big muscular men, with facial hair and high sex drives.
Testosterone is a hormone generally considered important for men, but did you know it is also a vital hormone for women to maintain a high quality of life?
In fact, low T, is fairly common in women, especially moms.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of low testosterone in women are often passed off as just part of getting older, but they shouldn’t be.
Many of the women I work with have been to their primary care doctors with symptoms of low testosterone, and their doctors passed off their complaints as a natural part of getting older. Some were sent on their way, while others were handed a prescription for antidepressants.
Hardly a solution!
If you are experiencing any combination of the symptoms of low testosterone I outline below, you will want to see a hormone specialist and have some functional testing done, so that you can get to the bottom of what is going on. (hint: it is not a deficiency in antidepressants)
Here are 6 of the more common symptoms of low testosterone in women:
1. Fatigue
This is one of the top complaints from the moms I work with. Now, if you have a newborn, even if your hormones are in tip top shape, chances are your sleep is lacking and that is the reason for fatigue.
However, if your kids are older, or if you’re constantly tired, even when you’re able to knock out a full night’s sleep, you could be experiencing one of the symptoms of low testosterone in women. Decreased testosterone levels may contribute to you feeling exhausted and drained.
You may even find it difficult to sleep through the night (even when your kids do). Disrupted sleep is another common symptom for women with low testosterone and/or estrogen and progesterone imbalances. A healthy hormonal balance is key to achieving consistent, restful sleep.
2. Weight Gain & Difficulty Losing Weight
Many women with low testosterone experience loss of muscle and progressive weight gain.
For women, midlife weight gain is so common that we can often assume it’s just part of getting older. I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, just because something is common, does not mean that it is normal. If, out of nowhere, you find yourself unable to control your weight or have changes in muscle tone and bone density, you may be exhibiting symptoms of low testosterone.
3. Decreased Interest in Sex
Just like in men, testosterone affects sexual arousal in women. Low testosterone can affect women’s sex lives in a few different ways. First, there is a general disinterest in sex. As wives, we may find ourselves conflicted because we truly love and are attracted to our husbands, but just have no desire for intimacy. This reduced sex drive, accompanied by dissatisfaction with our own physical appearance can really put a damper on the bedroom activities. And to make matters worse, another symptom of low testosterone is vaginal dryness, which causes painful intercourse. A not-so-perfect storm in the relationship department.
4. Mood Swings, Depression, and Anxiety
If you are experiencing sudden bouts of depression, unexplained mood swings, or a generally low mood, then you may be suffering from low testosterone or another hormonal imbalance.
Testosterone plays an important role in mood regulation in the body, and low levels of testosterone can really mess with your mood and confidence. If you are considering taking antidepressants to deal with your depression, then you may want to first: examine your hormone’s health to see if imbalances in testosterone, estrogen and progesterone is the real cause of your crappy mood.
Low testosterone can be to blame for severe depressive episodes, unpredictable mood swings, or a general “blah” feeling, or simply feeling down. Before letting your primary care doctor write an rx for an antidepressant, investigate your hormone health to seek a more natural and long-term solution.
In addition to mood swings, low testosterone can trigger anxiety and panic attacks. Mood disturbances occur because testosterone plays a vital role in the regulation of brain chemistry, and a lack of it can trigger mood related symptoms.
5. Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of the more obvious symptoms of low testosterone, and for women, it can be one of the most devastating. For many women, a bad hair day is simply a bad day!
Although hair loss from low testosterone will be most obvious on the head, hair loss can also occur on other areas of the body.
If you notice that you have to shave your legs and armpits fewer times per month than normal, or if you notice that your hair is getting patchy, you may be suffering from low testosterone.
Testosterone is one of the main hormones that support healthy hair production and maintenance. This symptom most often manifests as patchy hair cover on the head, or even baldness in women.
Hair loss can also be due to poor nutrition, stress, a traumatic event, pregnancy, or thyroid dysfunction, so it is a good idea to see a functional medicine practitioner to address your entire health picture.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the next best step is to consult with your doctor or book a case review to determine if your hormones are healthy or wreaking havoc on your health and well-being (Case review includes a review of your health history and current state of health, including any recent labs and a 60-minute results and recommendation consult with a member of Glow Natural Wellness).
6. Low Bone Density
Testosterone plays a pivotal role in maintaining strong bones. Testosterone deficiency in women often increases the risk of developing osteoporosis, a potentially dangerous condition that can lead to serious bone fractures and loss of independence. Hip fracture in older women can often lead to a lower life expectancy.
Of course, these are only the most common symptoms, and many of these symptoms can be a result of a combination of dysfunctions in the body. Bottom line, if you are dealing with one or more of the negative issues mentioned above, there is help available.
It does not matter if you have multiple health issues, are on several medications, have a family history of poor health, depression or weight issues. You can change your body, mind and overall health.
Sure, we are all getting older, but that does not mean we have to enjoy life less. Don’t suffer in silence, book a case review to determine if your hormones are healthy or wreaking havoc on your health and well-being (Case review includes a review of your health history and current state of health, including any recent labs and a 60-minute results and recommendation consult with a member of Glow Natural Wellness).
