Testosterone for women

TESTOSTERONE FOR WOMEN Testosterone is the male sex hormone, but, it is also an important sex hormone for women. A woman produces testosterone in her ovaries and adrenal glands and obviously produces a lot less than a man because women do not grow the muscles or facial and body hair characteristic of higher testosterone levels. Girls begin to produce testosterone as they approach puberty for use as a precursor to estrogen. A woman will have peak testosterone levels in her mid-twenties and then suffer a steady decline to half those levels in her forties. In my practice, however, I frequently see some women in their thirties producing an insufficient amount of testosterone (especially after child birth). Additionally, if a woman has a hysterectomy, testosterone levels can drop quickly and significantly.
Signs of testosterone deficiency in women: 1. low or no sex drive 2. lack of energy 3. obesity, especially abdominal fat 4. loss of muscle tone	5. reduced bone mass 6. increased fracture risk 7. fatigue 8. wrinkles 9. hot flashes despite estrogen therapy
The importance of blood tests Not all women in perimenopause or menopause will be testosterone deficient. Some of the symptoms listed above could be caused by other hormonal problems or health issues. This is why blood, saliva, or urine testing is so important and why self-medication with "testosterone enhancers" or Testosterone itself based on symptoms alone is dangerous. We order a blood test for total testosterone, as well as free testosterone. While both levels are important to watch, we want to pay special attention to the "Free Testosterone" reading because it is the active hormone. When a physician orders a total testosterone reading alone, it is possible to get back a "normal," "within range" reading on a patient who exhibits clearly defined symptoms for testosterone deficiency. How is this possible? Because most of the testosterone in the body is linked to proteins, the smaller remaining portion is "free" to make itself available to the cells of the body. Free Testosterone or the lack of it is most responsible for symptoms or alleviation of symptoms associated with testosterone. That is why monitoring its levels are so important in testosterone supplementation therapy.
Many scientific papers, some listed below, have cited the following benefits possible to women taking testosterone. 1. increased sexual desire 2. relief of menopausal symptoms 3. reduction of bone loss / osteoporosis 4. increased vitality 5. reduced body fat 6. improved skin tone by stimulating collagen growth 7. enhanced "quality of life"
Testosterone supplementation risks It is important to understand that not all women will benefit from Testosterone supplementation. The goals, realities, and risks of Testosterone supplementation should be discussed, at length, with your physician prior to onset of treatment.
Medical Research / Women and Testosterone

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Marc Darrow, M.D.,J.D.,Q.M.E.
Marc Darrow, M.D., J.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA School of Medicine. He is a world recognized specialist in many chronic disorders. He has been featured in national publications, and television and radio shows, for his innovative approach to medicine. As the medical director of Joint Rehab Center, Inc. in West Los Angeles, Dr. Darrow has helped create an age management program for those individuals interested in maintaining a youthful, healthy vigor for adults through “middle age” and well into the senior years.

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Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of JOINT REHAB AND SPORTS MEDICAL CENTER, INC offer medical advice from this website. This information is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and Dr. Darrow or any associate of JOINT REHAB AND SPORTS MEDICAL CENTER, INC. Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of JOINT REHAB AND SPORTS MEDICAL CENTER, INC guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources, information, apparatus, product, or process available at or from this website. MEDICAL MODALITIES MENTIONED ARE MEDICAL TECHNIQUES THAT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED MAINSTREAM. AS WITH ANY MEDICAL PROCEDURE, RESULTS WILL VARY AMONG INDIVIDUALS, AND THERE COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL RISKS INVOLVED. THESE CONCERNS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PRIOR TO ANY TREATMENT SO THAT YOU HAVE PROPER INFORMED CONSENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES TO HEALING.

Certain studies including the Woman's Health Initiative suggest that hormone supplementation may increase the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, stroke and other ailments. These risks should be discussed with your health care professional while deciding on, implementing, or continuing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

The option to use Human Identical Hormones or Bio-identical hormones should also be discussed with your medical care provider as there is not sufficient medical evidence at this time to suggest that they are safer than synthetic hormones and may pose equal risk.

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