Everyone knows that increasing testosterone in men has several advantages, but what happens if you boost T levels in women?
Interestingly, just like men, increasing testosterone in women can significantly improve their overall well-being.
The truth is, testosterone plays a significant role in women’s health, including energy production, libido, and strengthening muscles and bones. But, unfortunately, many ladies suffer from low testosterone without even realizing it. And, in some cases, may even misdiagnose it as depression.
The excellent news is that there are several ways for ladies to extend their testosterone levels naturally, which we’ll cover in this text. Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- What Is Testosterone?
- What Does Testosterone Do?
- What Causes Low Testosterone in Women?
- Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
- Why Should Women Increase Low Testosterone Levels?
- 5 Ways Women Can Naturally Increase Testosterone Production
- Can Women Take Testosterone Boosters?
- What Are The Best Testosterone Boosters For Women To Take?
- FAQs
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced within the gonads, that are the testicles in men and the ovaries in women. It is also produced in small amounts by converting DHEA from the adrenal glands.
While it’s a vital androgen hormone for men to develop male characteristics, it plays a rather different role for ladies.
In women, many of the testosterone produced is of course converted to estradiol, one in all the first female sex hormones. Nevertheless, testosterone can be involved in several other features of each women’s and men’s health.
What Does Testosterone Do?
Testosterone is vital to healthy development during all stages of life.
Initially, it determines a baby’s sex in fetal development. From there, it’s answerable for the bodily changes that occur during puberty and carry into maturity, especially in men. In male maturity, testosterone plays a task in maintaining a healthy sex life, constructing muscle, creating recent red blood cells, and improving overall health.
Although testosterone will not be as crucial in women, it’s still a significant hormone to growth and development.
Any testosterone that doesn’t convert to estradiol helps women increase libido, improve energy levels, strengthen and grow bones, create recent red blood cells, and regulate hormones and the menstrual cycle1.
On the whole, testosterone helps maintain muscle mass, bone density, increase insulin resistance, and support reproductive health, amongst many other functions.
What Causes Low Testosterone in Women?
Like men, probably the most common reason for low testosterone in women is age-related decline. Testosterone levels slowly decline by roughly 1% a yr after 30 in men, and girls face an analogous rate of decline.
By the point women enter menopause, typically around 51, their testosterone levels are at half their peak. Women who’ve had their ovaries removed are especially effected because the ovaries produce roughly half of ladies’s testosterone.
Various hormone or estrogen treatments, akin to contraception, can decrease testosterone levels by increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Eating disorders, akin to anorexia, may also result in a testosterone deficiency due to disruption of fatty tissue.
Other causes for low testosterone in women include Turner syndrome, a tumor on the pituitary gland, chemotherapy, radiation, ovarian insufficiency, and premature menopause2.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
Low testosterone in women has several symptoms, including:
- Low libido or decreased sexual desire
- Lack of energy and feeling drained
- Lack of strength and muscle tone
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Lack of concentration
- Thinning hair
- Infertility or trouble getting pregnant
- Depression or anxiety
- Vaginal dryness
- Dry, brittle skin
- Difficulty sleeping
Women that suffer from low testosterone are sometimes misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety because several unwanted side effects are similar.
When you notice a number of of those symptoms, you must consider having your T levels tested. A blood test is the one strategy to determine testosterone levels, so you have to speak together with your doctor.
Why Should Women Increase Low Testosterone Levels?
Low testosterone can negatively affect your on a regular basis life in several areas, which we discuss intimately in our article on How To Increase Testosterone.
As mentioned above, low testosterone levels are sometimes confused with depression and anxiety because many symptoms are the identical. When you suffer from fatigue, low energy, or all the time feel drained yet have difficulty sleeping, you’ll likely profit from increasing your testosterone levels.
Along with energy levels, testosterone also helps balance your hormones, so you will have higher mental clarity, have the option to pay attention higher, and improve your mental health overall. Many ladies have found that increasing their testosterone levels has led to a healthier lifestyle.
5 Ways Women Can Naturally Increase Testosterone Production
As we mentioned, if you happen to are apprehensive about low testosterone, there are many ways to maintain your hormones balanced without invasive medical treatment. Listed below are one of the best recommendations on how women can boost testosterone naturally.
1) Weight Lift & Run:
Certainly one of the healthiest ways that ladies can naturally increase testosterone is by exercising or running often.
One study examined the consequences of 60 minutes on a treadmill on women’s testosterone levels. They found a spike in testosterone levels immediately following the run, but they returned to baseline after half-hour3.
Similar results were found with resistance training, where testosterone levels increased following the workout but returned to normal shortly after. A study from 2015 on the University of North Texas measured bloodwork before and after weight lifting and confirmed an increase in testosterone post-workout. Still, they returned to baseline after an hour4.
Any form of exercise advantages general health and helps maintain a healthy hormone balance, making it necessary to incorporate LISS cardio in your routine, alongside a very good workout split.
2) Eat Testosterone-Boosting Foods & Follow A Healthy Weight loss program:
Eating a properly balanced eating regimen is crucial for optimizing your hormone levels and testosterone levels.
A eating regimen high in protein, leafy green vegetables, and healthy fats helps keep testosterone levels high. It’ll also help prevent fat gain, which causes testosterone levels to diminish. Several foods have been proven to boost testosterone levels.
Some foods high in protein include eggs, tuna, beans, pumpkin seeds, garlic, olive oil, beef, leafy green vegetables, pomegranate, fatty fish, cocoa products, shellfish, avocados, cherries, and berries.
By focusing your eating regimen around these foods, you may help maintain a balanced eating regimen and increase testosterone at the identical time.
3) Have a Healthy Sleep Schedule:
One of the manageable changes to your routine that may help increase testosterone levels is improving sleep quality. Keep a consistent sleep routine where you go to bed and get up at a consistent hour.
A healthy sleep schedule is important for maintaining overall health and high testosterone levels. For instance, a study from 2011 found that participants who got five hours of sleep or less had their testosterone levels drop by 10-15%5. You must ideally get eight hours of sleep every night to keep up a healthy lifestyle and maximize testosterone levels.
Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep!
4) Reduce Stress Levels:
High-stress levels have several antagonistic effects on health, including headaches, hypertension, and a number of other other issues.
With the ability to reduce stress needs to be shown to lower cortisol levels and increase DHEA, a hormone produced within the adrenal gland and converts to testosterone. Practicing other methods of accelerating testosterone, like exercising day by day and maintaining a healthy eating regimen, regulates hormones and can help combat stress.
One study found that while increased stress led to increases in testosterone in men, it had the other effect in women. The ladies participants’ testosterone levels dropped significantly after the stress respons6.
Research suggests that men and girls have different responses to psychological stress, and this study confirms this as women have a decline in testosterone while men have a rise.
5) Take Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals That Boost Testosterone:
One other strategy to increase testosterone for ladies is by taking Supplements to Increase Testosterone.
Several products that slot in these categories are scientifically proven to extend testosterone levels. Among the best at boosting testosterone include vitamin D, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, Ashwagandha, and Fenugreek.
A standard reason for low testosterone is low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency has been proven to cut back testosterone production. Try our article on the Best Vitamin D Supplements for some great product recommendations.
Ashwagandha is a well-liked alternative for ladies, because it also helps to burn fat. You will discover one of the best products available on the market by heading to our article on the 7 Best Ashwagandha Supplements.
Studies have shown that supplementing with five grams of Ashwagandha for 3 months increased testosterone between 10 and 22%7. Other studies showing a discount in body fat percentages confirm its safety for long-term use, making it much more appealing to women.
Testosterone boosters are typically a mix of all-natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals, so that they are a superb option for enhancing testosterone levels. When you are fascinated about testosterone boosters, take a look at our article on the 7 Best Testosterone Boosters.
Can Women Take Testosterone Boosters?
Yes, women can take testosterone boosters, but you must only take them if you happen to suffer from low T. If you may have any symptoms, taking testosterone boosters would help elevate your levels and improve your on a regular basis life.
Women who take testosterone boosters can have increased libido, endurance, strength, energy, and vitality. A review of 23 trials found that menopausal women successfully used testosterone therapy. Most notably, the ladies had significant increases in sexual function, including improved sex drive.
One antagonistic effect found that’s common with women using testosterone was a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of cholesterol, also generally known as the nice cholesterol8. The side effect of decreased HDL cholesterol seems to only appear with testosterone pills, because it has not been seen with gels and cream form.
Other common unwanted side effects women might suffer from taking a testosterone booster include pimples, weight gain, and facial hair growth. Pregnant women or planning on becoming pregnant mustn’t take testosterone boosters because it could possibly result in birth defects. You must also avoid testosterone boosters if you may have a history of breast cancer due to estrogen interactions.
A more serious option to contemplate if you happen to cannot achieve healthy testosterone levels is hormone alternative therapy.
What Are The Best Testosterone Boosters For Women To Take?
When selecting your testosterone booster, you must start by products that contain all-natural ingredients.
Several all-natural products are proven by science to be protected and effective, so these are ideal. Follow testosterone boosters which might be made in the US and third-party tested, as these products undergo testing and pass safety protocols.
One product we love that’s great for ladies is TestoPrime. Ranked as one of the best overall testosterone booster, it comprises all-natural ingredients which might be protected for ladies. A mixture of fenugreek, Ashwagandha, D-aspartic acid, green tea extract, vitamin D, zinc, black pepper extract, and others, it is ideal for ladies with low testosterone.
When you want more specific information on several types of t-boosting products for ladies, take a look at our article on the Best Testosterone Boosters.
FAQs
Still have questions? Listed below are some answers to the FAQs about testosterone in women.
How can women increase their testosterone level?
Some ways to extend testosterone for ladies include eating a healthy eating regimen, exercising often, or taking a testosterone booster.
What activities increase testosterone in women?
Exercising day by day, no matter what you do, will help your body naturally boost testosterone. A few of one of the best activities to extend testosterone in women include running and lifting weights. Head to our article on the Best Workout Splits For Women to seek out an excellent program for you!
Are you able to fix low testosterone in women?
Yes, there are several ways to repair low testosterone in women. Some common ways to repair low testosterone are having a healthy eating regimen, exercising consistently, and having a healthy sleep schedule.
What happens when a girl has low testosterone?
When a girl has low testosterone, the symptoms will often seem like depression or anxiety. Probably the most common symptoms include low energy, fatigue, lack of concentration, depression, dry skin, and decreased libido.
Women Need Healthy Testosterone Levels for Optimal Health
Though the word testosterone is mostly related to men, it also plays a significant role in women’s health. Unfortunately, women suffer from declining testosterone levels as they age and can have lost over half of their testosterone by menopause.
Low testosterone could cause several negative symptoms, like a decline in energy, fatigue, decreased libido, and depression. Luckily, there are several ways that ladies can increase testosterone levels, including using testosterone boosters that contain natural ingredients.
