For men, replacement therapy is meant to restore testosterone into a normal physiologic range in the setting of confirmed deficiency. The studies that do exist have yielded uncertain results beyond improving sexual function; plus, little is known about the long-term effects of testosterone in women. "I had no desire to get up, no libido, nothing." It took some time for her and her doctor to figure out the right testosterone dosage, but once they did, she felt like the best version of herself again. But can testosterone therapy for women really lead to such profound health improvements? Following a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle using some of the tips outlined above can help optimize testosterone levels and promote overall health. Other research suggests that several herbal supplements could also help support healthy testosterone levels, including saw palmetto, ginger, and ashwagandha. Typically, HRT supplements estrogen and progesterone (female hormones), but certain therapies can also deliver testosterone. Hormone replacement therapy provides women with hormones that are typically lost or reduced during menopause. Despite the lack of targeted therapies for women with low testosterone, they have one option that may increase their levels. Menopause is often the reason why women experience a change in their sex drive. "Lab reference ranges are most often used when treating older menopausal women—so these ranges skew toward lower levels," Dr. Dorr explains. It’s important to mention that some methods are similar to those mentioned for high testosterone treatment. In regard to therapies for women with low T levels, there is very limited research on the topic. Menopause, which occurs as a woman ages, can lead to a lower amount of testosterone produced by the ovaries. Aging plays a crucial role in the development of low testosterone or testosterone deficiency in women. If a woman has too much testosterone in her body, she may begin to notice changes to her physical appearance. It may also reveal whether underlying conditions, health issues, aging, or lifestyle choices are affecting your testosterone production. For men, a "normal" adult reading falls anywhere upwards of 0.30 nmol/l, with the optimal range above 0.45 nmol/l. Testosterone levels are measured through blood tests, and in the UK, measured in nanomoles per litre (nmol/l). If you are unsure, a blood test can identify if your testosterone is low. In which case, testosterone supplements or testosterone replacement therapy may not resolve them. Along with testosterone boosters, there are plenty of natural ways to pep up your T-levels with diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Testosterone boosters can be found in safe, legal places, like your local chemist or hormone therapy clinics. If any of these conditions sound familiar, have you considered that your troubles aren’t just a natural consequence of ageing, but are instead caused by dwindling testosterone? There's more to testosterone than guys behaving badly. For example, did you know that testosterone is a key player in prostate cancer? When you think of testosterone, what comes to mind? Often, they can be traced back to lifestyle or mental health issues. Falling T-levels that can't be put down to biology? Men in their thirties can expect to experience a one to 2% drop in their T-levels each a year, according to the NHS, and these kinds of numbers are unlikely to cause any problems by themselves. They aren’t miracle cures and won't ward off Father Time forever, but they can help to keep your levels buoyant (and, hopefully, your penis standing to attention) for years to come.
