Testosterone plays a number of important roles in our health that may surprise you. For instance, did you know that women produce testosterone, too? It is not just a male sex hormone, although women require only one tenth the amount of testosterone that men do. We experience a spike in testosterone production during puberty, and beginning around age 30, it begins to decline. However, this process can be accelerated due to lifestyle factors, such as chronic stress or poor nutrition.
It is important to maintain balanced testosterone levels throughout the lifespan. In sufficient amounts, testosterone promotes healthy libido and energy levels. It also plays a role in:
According to a recent study from the American Urology Association, testosterone levels have been steadily decreasing in men since 1991. The reasons for this decline in testosterone are multifaceted, but given the endocrine-disrupting chemicals present in everyday products, and the nutritional deficiencies in modern diets, it is no surprise that our hormonal health is suboptimal. If you feel this may be the case for you, keep reading. We will look at the common signs and symptoms of low testosterone, as well as natural treatment options. Testosterone In Men Before we talk about the issues that can arise from low testosterone levels, it is important to understand its role in the male body. Men produce most of their testosterone in the testicles. The endocrine system in the brain is responsible for signaling to the body when it needs to produce testosterone. During puberty, this leads to muscle development and hair growth on the face and body. Testosterone is vital to male fertility and the production of healthy sperm. Along with this important function, healthy testosterone levels also promote bone health, metabolism, and cognitive functioning. Low testosterone can occur for a number of reasons. One of them is simply getting older– testosterone levels tend to drop about 1% after age 30. Imbalances that are not related to the natural aging process tend to be caused by:
Some of the telltale signs of low testosterone in males include:
Testosterone In Women While we tend to associate testosterone with men, in smaller amounts it is also an important component of women’s health. Women produce testosterone mainly in their ovaries, but the adrenal glands, fat cells, and skin cells produce it as well. Most of this testosterone gets converted into female sex hormones, though some is needed to maintain healthy energy levels and bodily functions. As well, testosterone is important for women in:
Like men, women experience lower testosterone levels as they age naturally. However, the most dramatic drop occurs during menopause. The normal range of testosterone levels for women are between 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood. If levels are lower than this, women may experience:
And while having too much testosterone tends not to be a problem for men, in women numerous health issues can arise from an excess of this hormone. The most common is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), affecting approximately 5 million women in the US. This condition can lead to reduced fertility, irregular periods, and skin problems like acne and abnormal hair growth. Supporting Healthy Hormone Levels If you begin to notice any of these signs of low testosterone, be sure to talk with your health practitioner. They can test for hormone levels by performing a blood test, and then work with you to restore any imbalance. In addition, there are several natural ways you can support healthy hormone levels in your daily life. These include:
Healthy Hormone Diet Another major way you can boost testosterone levels in your daily life is through diet. Certain herbs and food groups can actually help your body produce testosterone naturally– no hormonal injections or implants needed.
As always, talk with your practitioner before introducing new herbs or supplements to your diet. Testosterone plays a role in a number of the body’s important functions. Balanced levels of this hormone are crucial for optimal health in both men & women. If you feel you have symptoms of low/high testosterone, it is worth considering hormone testing. From there, we can work on restoring your body’s natural balance of testosterone through the natural methods we discussed - give me a call to get started! Sources Barhum, L. (2018, July). 8 science-backed ways to boost testosterone naturally. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322508#natural-ways-to-maintain-testosterone Medical News Today, Typical testosterone levels in males and females Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323085 Garrard, C., Rapaport, L., Waldbieser, J., Upham, B., Cassata, C., Robertson, R., & Kraft, A. (n.d.). Testosterone and women's health. EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/testosterone/womens-health/ Gharahdaghi, N., Phillips, B. E., Szewczyk, N. J., Smith, K., Wilkinson, D. J., & Atherton, P. J. (2020, December 18). Links between testosterone, oestrogen, and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis and resistance exercise muscle adaptations. Frontiers. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.621226/full Kahl, K. L. (2022, January 27). Testosterone levels show steady decrease among young US men. Urology Times. Retrieved from https://www.urologytimes.com/view/testosterone-levels-show-steady-decrease-among-young-us-men Lawrence , E. (2023, January 25). How to increase testosterone. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/health/family/how-to-increase-testosterone/ Van Heertum, K., & Rossi, B. (2017, July 10). Alcohol and fertility: How much is too much? Fertility research and practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504800/#CR48 Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA. 2011 Jun 1;305(21):2173-4. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.710. PMID: 21632481; PMCID: PMC4445839.
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