What Is Testosterone And Why Do Both Men And Women Need It?

Other Treatment Options

There are supplements that are believed to be possibly helpful for treating testosterone deficiency. Some of these contain natural ingredients. But medical experts often do not support the use of such supplements. Many of the products do work.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved methyltestosterone for treatment of low testosterone. But most doctors are careful about prescribing it.

Medical professionals are tentative mainly due to pace of testosterone metabolism by the liver. The use of methyltestosterone may give rise to liver toxicity.

Owing to the advised caution on testosterone in females, women with low levels may consider over-the-counter (OTC) DHEA supplements instead.

Fully known as dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA is a steroid hormone. It is naturally produced by the adrenal glands, gonads and brain. The substance is known to help improve the production of other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.

Summary

Testosterone is an important hormone in both men and women. It helps to properly distribute body fat, improve both bone mass and mineral density, and increase muscle mass. The androgen also assists in regulating mood, boosting libido and supporting fertility.

This means there are bound to be serious issues when levels are too low than what is normal for your age. But you may also have some health problems when the level of the hormone rises too high. It is important to keep levels within the healthy range, depending on your age and sex.

Testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended if levels drop too low to start causing physical or mental health issues. This treatment has its own risks, however. You will need to weigh the benefits against the risks before proceeding with it.

DHEA and other types of supplements may also help. These may be better for persons for whom TRT is not advisable.

REFERENCES

• Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (Hypogonadism)
• Diagnosis and management of testosterone deficiency syndrome in men: clinical practice guideline
• Testosterone deficiency in women.
• Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age
• Is testosterone therapy safe? Take a breath before you take the plunge
• Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age – Mayo Clinic
• Testosterone — What It Does And Doesn’t Do – Harvard Health