7 Essential Facts About Testosterone Therapy for Women
When women think about hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause, estrogen and progesterone usually get most of the attention. But women naturally produce testosterone too, and it plays an important role in female health and sexual function.
At Axios Health & Wellness, women often ask about testosterone after noticing changes in sexual desire, energy, motivation, or simply feeling different than they did several years ago. These symptoms deserve a thoughtful evaluation because hormones are only one possible piece of the picture.
Testosterone therapy for women in Longmont may be appropriate for select patients. Understanding what testosterone does, why levels change, potential benefits, and how therapy is monitored can help women make informed decisions about their hormone health.
Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but women produce it too. In women, androgens come from the ovaries and adrenal glands and from the conversion of hormone precursors in other tissues. Testosterone plays a role in normal female physiology, particularly sexual function.
Testosterone levels change throughout a woman’s lifetime. However, the relationship between a woman’s blood testosterone level and how she feels is not always straightforward. There is no single testosterone level that determines whether a woman needs treatment.
This is why laboratory results should be considered alongside symptoms, medical history, medications, sleep, stress, relationship factors, and other hormonal changes.
Why Are Women Asking About Testosterone Therapy?
Many women begin researching testosterone during perimenopause or menopause. They may notice decreased sexual interest, lower motivation, fatigue, changes in exercise performance, or a general sense that they no longer feel like themselves.
These symptoms are important, but they can have more than one cause.
Poor sleep, thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, depression, chronic stress, medication side effects, changing estrogen levels, and relationship concerns can cause similar symptoms. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify the factors that may be contributing and provide a clearer picture of which treatment options may be appropriate.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Testosterone Therapy for Women?
Research on testosterone therapy in women has focused primarily on sexual health. Studies have found that appropriately selected postmenopausal women experiencing persistently low sexual desire may experience improvements in sexual desire, arousal, pleasure, responsiveness, and satisfaction with testosterone therapy.
Women receiving testosterone may also describe changes in energy, motivation, mood, exercise performance, or their overall sense of well-being. Individual experiences can vary considerably, which is one reason hormone therapy should be tailored to each woman’s symptoms and goals.
When a woman is considering testosterone, the conversation should focus on her specific symptoms, health history, goals, and other factors that may be affecting how she feels.
Testosterone Therapy for Women in Longmont Should Be Individualized
When considering testosterone therapy for women in Longmont, treatment should begin with a comprehensive evaluation rather than a laboratory result alone.
An evaluation may include symptoms, menstrual and menopause history, current hormone therapy, medications, medical history, sexual health, and overall wellness. Other potential causes of symptoms should also be considered.
Laboratory testing can provide useful information before treatment and during follow-up. However, a testosterone result alone does not diagnose sexual dysfunction or automatically establish whether testosterone therapy is appropriate.
Instead, laboratory results become one part of a larger clinical picture. Follow-up also gives women an opportunity to discuss changes in symptoms, concerns, and how they are responding to their treatment plan.
What About Testosterone During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause can be especially confusing because several hormonal changes may occur at the same time.
Women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, disrupted sleep, changes in sexual desire, vaginal symptoms, mood changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Changing estrogen and progesterone patterns may contribute to many of these symptoms, while testosterone and other health factors may also be part of the overall picture.
This is why hormone care during perimenopause should be individualized rather than based on one symptom or laboratory value.
For some women, evaluating testosterone may be one part of a broader hormone assessment. The goal is to understand which symptoms are most disruptive, identify other possible contributors, and discuss treatment options based on the woman’s individual needs and goals.
Monitoring Testosterone Therapy Matters
Testosterone therapy should include ongoing follow-up.
Monitoring allows the patient and clinician to discuss whether symptoms are improving, review laboratory results when appropriate, and determine whether adjustments to the treatment plan are needed.
Testosterone can cause androgen-related effects, particularly when exposure becomes excessive. These may include acne, increased facial or body hair, or scalp hair thinning.
Regular follow-up provides an opportunity to identify unwanted effects, evaluate the patient’s response, and make changes when necessary. This ongoing communication between the patient and clinician is an important part of individualized hormone care.
Testosterone Is Only One Part of Women's Hormone Health
Hormone care works best when the entire clinical picture is considered.
A woman experiencing low sexual desire may also have vaginal discomfort, poor sleep, medication side effects, relationship stress, depression, thyroid dysfunction, or symptoms related to changing estrogen levels. Addressing only testosterone may not address everything contributing to how she feels.
The same is true for fatigue, changes in motivation, and brain fog. These symptoms can have many possible causes and deserve a broader evaluation.
A comprehensive approach can help identify contributing factors and create a treatment plan that reflects the individual woman’s symptoms, health history, and goals.
Considering Testosterone Therapy for Women in Longmont?
Women deserve accurate information about their hormones and treatment options rather than being told that changes in how they feel are simply part of getting older.
At Axios Health & Wellness, hormone care begins with understanding your symptoms, medical history, goals, and overall hormonal picture. Testosterone therapy for women in Longmont may be one consideration for appropriately selected patients, and treatment should be tailored to the individual woman.
If you are experiencing changes in sexual health, energy, motivation, or other symptoms during perimenopause or menopause, a comprehensive hormone evaluation can help identify possible contributing factors and determine which treatment options may be appropriate for you.
About the Authors
This article was co-written by Jay Griffin, FNP-C, CRNFA, and Lacey Fisher, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC.
Jay and Lacey are board-certified Family Nurse Practitioners and hormone optimization specialists at Axios Health & Wellness. Together, they bring decades of clinical experience in hormone replacement therapy, thyroid optimization, peptide therapy, medical weight loss, and regenerative medicine.
Their goal is to help patients better understand the science behind their health and make informed decisions through evidence-based, personalized care.
Jay Griffin, FNP-C, CRNFA
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Hormone Optimization Specialist
Founder, Axios Health & Wellness
Lacey Fisher, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Hormone Optimization Specialist
Axios Health & Wellness
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women take testosterone?
Yes. Testosterone therapy may be considered for appropriately selected women following a clinical evaluation. Research has demonstrated benefits for certain women experiencing persistent changes in sexual desire and sexual function.
Does low testosterone cause fatigue in women?
Fatigue may occur alongside hormonal changes, but it can also have many other causes. Sleep problems, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, medications, chronic stress, nutrition, and other health conditions should be considered when evaluating persistent fatigue.
Can testosterone improve sexual desire in women?
Research has shown that testosterone therapy can improve sexual desire and several other aspects of sexual function in appropriately selected postmenopausal women. A complete evaluation remains important because sexual desire can be influenced by hormonal, physical, emotional, medication-related, and relationship factors.
Do testosterone levels need to be checked?
Laboratory testing can provide useful information before treatment and during follow-up. A testosterone level is best interpreted as part of the overall clinical picture rather than being used alone to determine whether a woman should receive therapy.
What should I expect after starting testosterone therapy?
Response to testosterone varies from woman to woman. Follow-up appointments allow your clinician to evaluate changes in symptoms, review laboratory testing when appropriate, discuss any unwanted effects, and adjust the treatment plan based on your individual response.
References
Davis SR, Baber R, Panay N, et al. Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2019;104(10):4660–4666.
Parish SJ, Simon JA, Davis SR, et al. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Systemic Testosterone for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2021;18(5):849–867.
The North American Menopause Society. The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2020;27(9):976–992.
Davis SR, Wahlin-Jacobsen S. Testosterone in Women—The Clinical Significance. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2015;3(12):980–992.