How Testosterone Levels Affect Men’s and Women’s Health

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It’s highly involved in developing sexual characteristics, regulating fertility, building muscle mass, distributing fat and driving libido in men. But it’s also an important hormone for women – it helps make estrogen, contributes to the growth, maintenance and repair of female reproduction tissue and influences follicle stimulating hormones (more commonly known as FSH), an important hormone for reproduction in both genders. Testosterone also produces red blood cell in both men and women.

Some men’s testosterone levels remain high throughout their lives, but many find their levels waning in midlife, particularly if they’re obese, depressed or a smoker. Although testosterone levels remain stable in most women, some do struggle with low testosterone.

Low testosterone (or low T) has been associated with memory loss, lack of focus, erectile issues, increased body fat, depression, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and hair loss in men and muscle weakness, fatigue, low energy, depression, weight gain, sleep disturbances and fertility issues in women.

Although the standard treatment for low T is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), it may not be safe for all men, according to a study presented at the 2018 American Physiological Society conference.

“TRT has been associated with raising blood pressure and forming blood clots -- two risk factors for stroke,” says Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer, MDVIP. “Donating blood can help offset your risk, but really, you need to work with your doctor to find the best approach to manage your testosterone levels.”

There’s not a lot of research available on how to treat women dealing with low T. As of now, injections, pellets and Estratest (a medication that combines estrogen and testosterone) is available.

“Like men, women also run the risk of side effects from testosterone therapy and Estratest can interact with a host of medications,” Klemes says.

If you have low T, but not a candidate for TRT, there are some natural ways to raise testosterone levels such as through food and exercise. Here’s what you need to know.