Women and Testosterone: Empowering Health and Vitality Through this Often Overlooked Hormone

.At Phoenix Medical Group of Florida, we emphasize that maintaining hormonal balance is crucial for overall well-being in both men and women. Although testosterone is commonly linked to men, it is also a significant hormone for women's health.

Perimenopausal Woman cooling herself off due to experiencing unpredictable hot flashes

What Does Testosterone Do for Women?

Testosterone contributes to much more than just libido. In women, it supports:

• Energy levels and overall stamina

• Mood stability and cognitive focus

• Cognitive function reducing brain fog

• Muscle tone and definition

• Sexual desire and satisfaction

• Metabolic balance helps maintain a healthy weight

• Bone Health-keeping bones strong

  
  

When testosterone levels drop — which can occur naturally with age or due to certain health conditions — women may notice symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, weight gain, decreased libido, and difficulty concentrating. Safety and efficacy of testosterone micro-dosing, especially in perimenopausal women, have strong supporting evidence demonstrating a significant improvement in sexual function, including satisfactory sexual event frequency, desire, pleasure, arousal, orgasm, and self-image, in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. (Islam, et. al., 2019)

Recognizing the Signs of Hormone Imbalance

If you’ve been feeling “off” and can’t quite pinpoint why, low testosterone could be a factor.

Common symptoms include:

• Low energy and motivation

• Muscle weakness

• Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, sweating, facial flushing)

• Changes in mood or confidence

• Weight gain

• Difficulty with focus or memory

• Vaginal dryness

• Decreased sexual drive

  
  

Women and Testosterone Restoration

At Phoenix Medical Group of Florida, we are dedicated and committed to offering comprehensive hormone evaluations tailored to understand your unique needs and health circumstances. We recognize that hormone imbalances can significantly impact your overall well-being, energy levels, mood, and even physical or sexual health. Through our personalized treatment plans, which may include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), we aim to restore balance and vitality safely and effectively. Our approach is rooted in understanding the individual patient, ensuring that each treatment is customized to meet your needs.

BHRT can be administered as an adjunct to your existing health regimen and requires close monitoring by a licensed health care provider. Our methodology is patient-centered and evidence-based, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ins and assessments to monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments when needed. There are several different options to consider when incorporating testosterone into your treatment plan, each with its own set of benefits and considerations. Micro-dosing is used when treating women. as they require much lower doses than men. Testosterone can be administered in various forms, including weekly injections, topical gels, lotions, sublingual troches, implanted pellets. Each method has its own unique absorption rates, convenience factors, and potential side effects, which we will briefly review.

Exploring Treatment Options For Testosterone Therapy

Testosterone Injections

Testosterone injections are usually administered in micro-dosing increments, twice a week. These injections are given intramuscularly, often in the gluteal or thigh muscles. Most women start to observe changes or improvements in their symptoms between the third and sixth week of treatment. Noticeable differences in muscle mass and sexual desire typically occur around the 6 week mark and stabilization with sexual desire and higher libido peak around 6 months of treatment. The effects and duration of the medication is dependent on which formulation is used. The two most common formulations is testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate.

,

Testosterone Gels, Creams, and Lotions

For women undergoing testosterone therapy, transdermal options may be more suitable for them and their lifestyle. This may include, but is not limited to, gels, creams, or lotions, which are among the most commonly prescribed and clinically supported methods. These topical formulations deliver low, physiologic doses of testosterone through the skin, allowing for more stable hormone absorption compared to oral forms (Lindsay et al., 2019). Application is typically once daily to clean, dry skin on areas such as the inner thighs, lower abdomen, or upper arms, depending on the prescribed product and dosing. It can be difficult to accurately measure and titrate this medication because it is applied to the skin. Secondary transfer is always of concern with topical medications. Because women require much lower doses of testosterone than men, formulations are carefully compounded or prescribed in microgram quantities to maintain female physiologic levels and minimize adverse effects.

A woman taking an oral testosterone pill or dissolvable sublingual tablet

Sublingual Troches

Testosterone troches and testosterone pills are effective forms of hormone therapy, but they differ in their administration, onset of action, and duration of effects. Testosterone troches are small, dissolvable tablets that are typically placed between the gum and cheek, allowing for absorption through the oral mucosa. This method often results in a quicker onset of action, usually within 30 to 60 minutes, as the hormone enters the bloodstream directly. Some have used troches "on demand" just before intimate, sexual encounters. Troches have a short half-life and need dosing twice a day to reach peak effectiveness. Typically, around 6 months is when patients report a steady improvement in brain fog, fatigue, and libido.

In contrast, testosterone pills are swallowed and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to a delayed onset of action, typically taking 1 to 3 hours to start working. Additionally, the duration of effects differs; troches may provide a shorter duration of action, requiring more frequent dosing, while testosterone pills generally have a longer-lasting effect, often allowing for once-daily administration. Ultimately, the choice between the two forms may depend on individual preferences, lifestyle, and specific medical considerations.

Pellets

Among the different types of testosterone, pellets have recently become more popular and are often promoted as a "convenient option" for peri-menopausal and menopausal women experiencing "the change." These pellets are usually inserted in a clinical setting using a small, hollow tube that is carefully placed into the buttock area. After the pellets are inserted, the tube is removed, allowing the body to gradually absorb the hormones. One benefit of this method is that the pellets only need to be replaced every few months, ensuring what is thought to be a consistent release of testosterone. However, concerns arise regarding the predictability of hormone absorption rate from the pellets. A larger dosage is inserted during the initial insertion of them for them to slowly release the hormone; however, if absorbed to quickly a person could potentially reach dangerous levels. while the pellets are still in the body. It is essential that any hormone supplementation taken should be predictable, adjustable, and easily discontinued if necessary.

Testosterone Pellet Insertion and Placement

Testosterone pellets insertion site and technique for testosterone replacement therapy

(Image from The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2009 6: 21-24)

Potential Side Effects

Consistent monitoring of testosterone levels in the blood and clinical symptoms is crucial for ensuring safe and effective treatment. At Phoenix Medical Group of Florida, our hormone specialists tailor dosing and follow-up testing to help women achieve balanced outcomes, enhancing energy, libido, and well-being while minimizing risks.

Since women need much lower doses of testosterone than men, formulations are meticulously compounded or prescribed in microgram amounts to maintain female physiological levels and reduce adverse effects. Typical side effects may include mild skin irritation at the application site, acne, oily skin, or increased facial or body hair growth. If doses are too high or therapy is not properly monitored, more serious side effects like voice deepening, scalp hair thinning, clitoromegaly, or mood changes can occur.

When supplementing one hormone, it's important to acknowledge that there might be slight changes in other hormone levels, which is why Phoenix Medical Group focuses on a gradual and individualized hormone introduction. Our aim is to ensure comprehensive management of your hormonal health, considering the complex balance of different hormones in your body. We believe that a careful, personalized approach is key to achieving optimal health outcomes and improving your quality of life.

A Renewed Sense of Well-Being

Taking the next step to address your hormone health is an empowering decision. Hormone health goes beyond mere numbers — it’s about helping you reconnect with your true self. Whether you're noticing early signs of imbalance or going through menopause, we're here to support you at every stage. Achieving hormonal balance can boost your well-being, confidence, and energy, allowing you to fully enjoy life again! When your hormones are balanced, you may find that everyday activities become more enjoyable and fulfilling. Schedule an online consultation with us today to explore if hormone replacement therapy could be right for you.

References

Cavender, R.K. (2009), Surgical Techniques: Subcutaneous Testosterone Pellet Implantation Procedure for Treatment of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6: 21-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01129.x

Islam, R. M., Bell, R. J., Green, S., Page, M. J., & Davis, S. R. (2019). Safety and efficacy of testosterone for women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trial data. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 7(10), 754–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30189-5