The Dangers of Testosterone for Women

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The dangers of Testosterone for women are seldom discussed. Fewer studies have been done on women than men, and many studies are conflicting.

Is prescribed Testosterone safe for women? When does Testosterone make sense for a woman?

Listen to my Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast on this topic on the player above or on iTunes.

Types of Testosterone

1. Natural Testosterone we make from Cholesterol and DHEA
2. Bio-identical Testosterone prescription
3. Non-Bio-Identical Testosterone
4. Natural Testosterone we make from herbs such as MACA

All forms of Testosteorne act as growth hormones, androgens and steroids. It plays a role in muscle mass, cognition, energy and libido.

Accurate Testing of Testosterone

• Blood tests are accurate only if Free Testosterone is run. Total Testosterone alone is inadequate as it includes both bound and free hormones.
• Salivary or urine testing measures only Free Testosterone
• Blood tests should be run in the morning when Testosterone is highest, especially in men.
• Saliva testing is a pooled value of the day’s total.
• Saliva Testing can also accurately check DHT and Adnrostendione, “downstream” metabolites of Testoterone that can reflect on male pattern baldness and proate problems.
• Retest 4 times annually if on prescribed Testosterone, between doses/patches/injections, and in the morning.

“Normal” Levels of Testosterone

If you’re asking an “Anti-Aging” Doctor, you may be told you should have the same T at 50 as you did at 20. Wouldn’t that be great? The Fountain of Youth?

Testosterone declines gradually in all men and women starting in our 20’s. This is normal and the body has its own reasons for doing this.

Dangers of Testosterone in Women

• Elevated Testosterone is strongly associated with PCOS (cysts on the ovaries) as well as Endometriosis. PCOS can be a serious health risk. If ovarian cysts get large enough they can rupture, leading to internal bleeding and a 911 call.
• Hair growth on the face is a common sign of high T. If you have a persistent dark moustache, see your Ob-Gyn to be tested for ovarian cysts.
• Oily acne
• Hair loss
• Edema and fluid retention
• Deepening of the voice
• Changes in menstrual cycle

Benefits of Testosterone for Women

Testosterone can thin the fat under the skin, making muscles more visible and cheekbones more prominent.

Studies show possible improvement in bones, mood and libido.

A side note on Libido: If a post-menopausal woman has less desire than she remembers having when younger there are several factors to consider. 1). Women in their 50’s are OUT of the gene pool and evolution does not drive them to procreate. 2). Some may just not be attracted to their mate any more 3). Sex can be painful as vaginal tissues dry up. Make coconut oil suppositories to help alleviate discomfort during sex, or weekly as a general comfort support. 4). Exhausted women might just prefer to sleep!

Boosting Testosterone Naturally

If we are chronically stressed, anxious and tired, DHEA hormone levels fall and therefore testosterone and estrogens fall. Should we take Testosterone rather than fix the problem at the source? We can take DHEA or Pregnenolone (at low doses) and work on our stress and anxiety levels by taking a good Adaptogen or Passion Flower and getting our lives under control.

Taking Progesterone or the precursors of Progesterone (such as Chaste Tree Berry) can help balance all the hormones, including Thyroid.

But beware!! Don’t take more than a tiny amount of Progesterone. Much less than labels suggest, and regularly test by saliva, not blood, to see where your levels fall. This is a regular test I run with female clients.

If you are truly low in Testosterone (which I rarely see), the herb Maca will raise it. As an Adaptogen, it works on the Pituitary and allows hormone levels to stabilize. Don’t take too much and always TEST your levels frequently.

Types of Prescription Testosterone

Use bioidentical testosterone.  Synthetic testosterone (methyltestosterone) or oral testosterone pills show an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease.

A starting dose might be .5 mg transdermal testosterone daily. If side effects occur (hair growth on the face or arms, hair loss on the head, acne, deepening of the voice, irritability, irregular menstrual cycles) the dose can drop to 0.15 mg. Even better, fix all the adrenal, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels by fixing the adrenals and getting stress and sleep under control.

• Testosterone creams or gels WILL rub off onto sheets, towels, hands, spouses, kids and pets.
• I don’t like the infection rate of subcutaneous hormone pellets (or the cost). Injections are the safest way to dose this super volatile hormone and get the correct dose (if needed). But the dose is so tiny for women that most docs use creams.

If your doctor insists on prescribing Testosterone, insist right back that Total T, Free T, and saliva testing all be done, and ask if the dose is more than .5 mg. per day.

FDA Approval of Testosterone for Women?

There is no FDA-approved prescription Testosterone for women but is widely used “off label” anyway.

As the precursor of Estrogen it can help raise low Estrogen (that’s good or bad depending on your level of Estrogen Dominance).  There are no studies on the use of Testosterone longer than 6 months in women and the studies that exist show conflicting outcomes.

Here’s the FDA warning for heart attacks and strokes due to Testosterone use. It is only suggested for use in true, rare, medical emergencies or genetic flaws.

Elevated Testosterone Levels

If your blood or saliva test show high T, get evaluated for PCOS right away. Polycystic ovaries produce excess testosterone and insulin resistance. These are common causes of infertility, PMS and other menstrual irregularities.  The supplement DIM may be useful to break down high Testosterone and Estrogen while working on the underlying cause.

I offer Virtual Consults to test and discuss these and other hormonal issues. Let’s talk.