Why Women Need Testosterone And How To Boost Yours If Its Low From Using Creams And, Perhaps Soon, Skin Patches To Diet And Exercise

But you'll also notice lower energy levels and poor muscle tone despite exercise, he says.

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Testosterone targets brain receptors which are responsible for sexual activity. But it also targets many other receptors, as many receptors as estrogen, and in many areas of the brain.

These include the amygdala, which drives motivation; the hippocampus, which is responsible for storing long-term memories and protecting them from oblivion; and the striatum, responsible for decision making and the creation of emotions and habits.

Testosterone has powerful cognitive functions: it helps regulate mood, improves concentration, enhances verbal learning, and enhances spatial awareness. This can help prevent dementia later in life by helping memory.

Studies have shown that testosterone and estrogen in women can counteract the biochemical reactions in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. This reaction can cause an increase in amyloid plaques (protein deposits that form between nerve cells), impaired glucose metabolism in the brain, and decreased blood flow. .

But testosterone receptors have also been identified in other parts of the body: breast tissue, skeleton, muscle, adipose tissue, and genital tissue.

These are hormones found throughout the body that are either too strong or too weak. This can affect the eyes, for example: testosterone supports the function of our meibomian glands, the sebaceous glands of the eyelids, which produce secretions that help keep the eyes healthy and well hydrated.

Proponents of using female testosterone are excited that a British company is testing a testosterone patch called Edge specifically for postmenopausal women.

"There are currently no approved testosterone patches for women," says Dr. Louise Newson of Newson Health in Stratford-upon-Avon in England.

"AndroFeme 1, developed in Australia in 2020, is a testosterone cream for women that is identical to the testosterone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands of women."

It is not allowed in Hong Kong and requires a special import permit, said Laurena Law, a Hong Kong general practitioner. Many women are not aware that it can be used to treat low libido.

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"Not all women need it, and sexual health is complex," says Law. "But for some people, sex therapy combined with couples therapy and/or counseling can be part of the solution."

Until now, testosterone for women was only available in transdermal preparations, which are gels made for male use and applied topically in small amounts, such as Androgel, which is licensed in Hong Kong for male use.

"Traditionally, medicine and research have looked at women's health from a reproductive perspective rather than a general health perspective," says Newson. "Testosterone is considered the 'male' hormone, but is actually important for both men and women," although women have much lower levels.

However, people should not see it as mere reproduction, he said. "We know that testosterone can help maintain muscle and bone strength, as well as your general well-being and zest for life," says Newson.

Traditionally, low estrogen levels have been considered a cause of osteoporosis in women, and women are disproportionately affected by this disease, leading to brittle bones. However, in men, the condition causes a decrease in testosterone levels.

Why does testosterone play a role in bone strength in men and not in women? In fact, a 2022 study published in the journal Nature suggests that low testosterone levels impair bone health in both sexes.

The study showed a positive correlation between testosterone levels and bone density in women aged 40 years, that is, before menopause, up to the age of 60 years.

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Various theories have been put forward as to why testosterone supports bone density. First, testosterone appears to regulate the formation of osteoclasts, a type of bone cell that breaks down bone tissue.

Another theory is that testosterone can inhibit B-cell production, thereby preventing bone loss.

Although testosterone levels decline with age and are therefore valuable as a dietary supplement for postmenopausal women, low hormone levels can occur in both sexes at any age. Obesity, diabetes , and use of anabolic steroids or illegal drugs are associated with lower testosterone levels in young men.

Young women rarely pay attention to their testosterone levels, but when they are low they can experience a variety of problems. Ideally, women should have 15 to 70 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter of blood.

Low testosterone levels in young men and women can cause fertility problems when trying to conceive.

Sometimes birth control pills interfere with the healthy production of testosterone in young women; They affect the ovaries, where testosterone is produced. Adrenal stress is another factor.

More and more women are realizing the importance of maintaining higher testosterone levels. The UK's National Health Service recently revealed that the number of women taking transdermal testosterone has increased tenfold in the last seven years.

The word is out.

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how to increase testosterone

The jury is still out on natural ways to increase your testosterone levels.

However, losing a little weight and staying active improves your overall health and attitude, and is often enough to turn your hormone levels in the right direction. Here are a few other things to keep in mind.

Chronic stress causes low testosterone because stress stimulates cortisol production, which negatively affects testosterone production.

Additionally, high cortisol levels in men can increase fat storage, which can lead to the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, the female hormone.

2. Have more sex

This may seem difficult when your testosterone levels are low, but it's worth a try, as several studies show that regular sex can also have a positive effect on testosterone levels.

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3. Eat a good diet and increase your intake of foods rich in magnesium, zinc and B vitamins

Certain foods and food groups are believed to increase testosterone levels, such as nuts and seeds, especially pumpkin seeds, wild fish, green vegetables, and nuts, especially black and kidney beans.

Onions and ginger are also examples. A small 2012 study found that taking ginger supplements for three months increased testosterone levels by 17.7%. Both of these foods are good for your health and easily fit into many recipes: onion curry, ginger tea, for example.

Some nutritionists recommend supplements containing dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA. DHEA is a precursor of testosterone and is found in the adrenal glands. Its supply is depleted by cortisol, the stress hormone.

A similar small study found that consuming pomegranate juice for just two weeks increased salivary testosterone levels by almost 25% in both men and women, while lowering blood pressure.

Vitamin D and magnesium can also be of benefit: diet, supplements, or in the case of vitamin D, sun exposure.