When we think of sex hormones, we tend to designate them as strictly male or female, but humans are not that straightforward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Male and female bodies both rely on many different types of hormones to not just function but thrive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This is especially true when it comes to the hormone testosterone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When you hear the word testosterone, you may think of big beefy muscles and a low, deep voice. While testosterone may lend to this, that\u2019s not the case for the majority of people.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Testosterone plays an important role in the health and development of cis-women, female-bodied and AFAB people (assigned female at birth).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
First off, let\u2019s get back to basics \u2013 what exactly is testosterone?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Without getting too elementary, testosterone is a hormone. Hormones are the messengers of our endocrine system<\/a>. They are like rapid emails that send messages to your different organs to tell them what to do and when.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n They don\u2019t get enough credit, but hormones really do run the show. Much like the assistant that spends all day staying on top of emails, messages, and memos.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Testosterone belongs to the family of androgens, or male hormones. Testosterone<\/a> in the female body is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, fat and skin cells. Fun fact – humans aren\u2019t the only animals to produce testosterone, it can be found in other mammals besides as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Although levels of testosterone<\/a> are lower in females, it is essential for their functioning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So what exactly does testosterone do for females?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It\u2019s not all about big bulky muscles, we need normal testosterone levels to be our best.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here are just some of the things testosterone is necessary for:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Vroom vroom!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You may have been able to guess this one, but testosterone is one of the keys to sex drive, no matter what your biological sex is.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Testosterone is one of the hormones responsible for giving us the desire and drive to have sex.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It helps inspire our sexual fantasies, pursue partners, and gets us in the mood to get at it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Bone health is crucial for our overall well-being, especially as we get older and more prone to things like osteoporosis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Testosterone helps regulate bone-mineral density, as well as bones\u2019 growth and strength. As people get older, they are more likely to experience issues related to bone health as testosterone levels decrease.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Females are more likely<\/a> to develop osteoporosis than males because of the hormonal shifts they experience during and after menopause.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It\u2019s not just sex and bones, testosterone also plays a role in your cognitive health.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One study<\/a> found that postmenopausal women who had received treatment with a testosterone gel showed improvement in verbal learning and memory when compared to those who had received a placebo. Another study<\/a> found changes in spatial cognition and brain activity after a single dose of testosterone.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In the same vein, testosterone also impacts mood and energy levels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This is indicative of just how much testosterone can do for brain function.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Given that testosterone is a sex hormone, it does play a role in the health of reproductive organs, male or female.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Testosterone helps with things like sex hormone development, vaginal lubrication and arousal<\/a>, and preventing vaginal atrophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Too much testosterone, however, can negatively impact vaginal health.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Testosterone levels often dip after menopause<\/a> which can affect a female-bodied person\u2019s sex drive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One common remedy for that is a testosterone patch which can be easily ordered online.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For people who are still in their reproductive years, low testosterone levels can wreak havoc on their system. They may experience ongoing fatigue and bone health issues like osteoporosis<\/a> and bone loss.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Some signs you may have low estrogen levels are:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Before we answer this question, we first need to clarify that if an AFAB person is intentionally taking testosterone as a form of gender-affirming treatment, that is a separate discussion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We\u2019re targeting this towards female-bodied people who do not desire the effects of increased testosterone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of the most common issues related to excess testosterone is PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS<\/a>. PCOS, which causes elevated testosterone levels, is marked by an irregular often uncomfortable period, ovarian cysts, excess hair growth, infertility, skin problems, and miscarriage<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Other issues that can come from high testosterone levels in women include diabetes and insulin resistance, heart disease, and high blood pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you think your testosterone levels may be off, you can get them tested by asking your doctor or going to a functional medicine lab.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Having this information can help you make decisions about your health so that you can feel better and take control of your health.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When we think of sex hormones, we tend to designate them as strictly male or female, but humans are not that straightforward. Male and female bodies both rely on many…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":20557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Role of Testosterone in Females<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Sex Drive<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Bone Health<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Cognitive Health<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Vaginal Health<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Is There Such a Thing as Too Little Testosterone?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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What About Too Much Testosterone?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Curious About Your Hormone Levels?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n