Many women struggle with unexplained fatigue, mood swings, low libido, and difficulty maintaining muscle tone as they age. While hormonal changes are a natural part of getting older, low testosterone is often overlooked in women. If you have been searching for answers and want to feel like yourself again, testosterone therapy may be the solution.
At Phoenix Wellness in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Moriah Moffitt and AJ Piovesan, PA-C, help women regain hormonal balance and improve their quality of life.Â
What Is Testosterone Therapy for Women?
Testosterone plays a big role in how your body functions, even though it is often thought of as a "male" hormone. When levels are too low, you might feel sluggish, weaker, or less interested in sex. Testosterone therapy helps bring those levels back up to relieve your symptoms.
Testosterone therapy does not work overnight, but over time, as hormone levels stabilize, many women start to feel like themselves again. Since hormones affect so many parts of the body, a doctor will monitor your levels to make sure everything stays balanced and the benefits outweigh any side effects.
Benefits of Testosterone Therapy for Women
Testosterone therapy offers the following potential benefits to improve your life:Â
- Increased Libido:Â Testosterone therapy can help improve sexual desire and arousal in women experiencing low libido due to low testosterone levels.Â
- Enhanced Mood and Energy Levels:Â Women undergoing testosterone therapy often report improvements in mood, energy, and overall well-being, helping to alleviate symptoms of fatigue and depression.Â
- Bone Health:Â Testosterone plays a role in maintaining bone density. Supplementation can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women.Â
- Muscle Mass and Strength:Â Testosterone can aid in increasing muscle mass and strength, which may be beneficial for women experiencing muscle weakness or loss due to low testosterone.Â
- Cognitive Function:Â Some studies suggest that testosterone therapy may have positive effects on cognitive function, although more research is needed in this area.
Causes of Low Testosterone in Women
Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate throughout your life, but certain factors can lead to a more significant decline. Understanding what contributes to low testosterone can help determine whether hormone therapy may be helpful. Here are some of the possible causes:Â
- Aging: As women age, particularly during and after menopause, testosterone levels naturally decline. This decrease can contribute to various symptoms associated with low testosterone.Â
- Medical Conditions:Â Certain medical conditions, such as adrenal insufficiency or hypopituitarism, can lead to reduced testosterone production in women.Â
- Surgical Removal of Ovaries:Â Oophorectomy, or the surgical removal of the ovaries, can significantly reduce testosterone levels, as the ovaries are a primary source of testosterone production in women.Â
- Medications:Â Some medications, including glucocorticoids and opioids, can lower testosterone levels.
How Is Testosterone Therapy Administered?
There are different ways to take testosterone, including creams, gels, shots, and small pellets placed under the skin. Each method delivers testosterone at a steady rate to help your body absorb and use it properly.Â
Since hormones affect many parts of the body, a doctor will monitor your levels regularly to keep them balanced and ensure you are getting the right dose with minimal side effects.
Why Choose Phoenix Wellness?
At Phoenix Wellness, our goal is to help our patients feel stronger, healthier, and more in control of their well-being. Dr. Moriah Moffitt is our medical director and a board-certified plastic surgeon with 24 years of experience. She specializes in procedures that address the effects of hormonal and physical changes in women. She also provides reconstructive care for veterans and teaches future physicians at USF and UCF.
AJ Piovesan, PA-C, has over 40 years of experience in health and wellness, with training in hormone therapy, functional medicine, and regenerative treatments. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine, he has spent decades helping patients get healthier through evidence-based treatments.
Our forward-thinking approach to wellness allows our practice to provide treatments that make a lasting difference in our patients' lives.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Signs of Low Testosterone in Women?
When testosterone levels drop, women may notice changes that affect their daily lives. Common signs include feeling tired all the time, losing muscle strength, mood swings, low sex drive, trouble focusing, and unexpected weight gain. If these symptoms sound familiar, it may be worth getting your hormone levels checked.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Testosterone Therapy?
Like any treatment, testosterone therapy can have side effects. Some women notice acne, extra body hair, a deeper voice, or hair thinning on the scalp. Working with a doctor helps keep hormone levels in check and lowers the chances of side effects.
How Long Will I Need to Take Testosterone?
The length of testosterone therapy varies from person to person. Some women use it as a long-term treatment to maintain hormone balance, while others may take it for a shorter period to manage symptoms during certain life stages, like menopause.
Since testosterone levels naturally decline with age, stopping therapy could cause symptoms to return. Many women continue treatment for as long as they see benefits and have no significant side effects.
Can Testosterone Therapy Affect My Menstrual Cycle?
Yes, testosterone therapy can affect your menstrual cycle, especially if you are premenopausal. Higher testosterone levels may cause irregular periods, lighter or missed cycles, or, in some cases, stop menstruation altogether. This happens because testosterone can influence estrogen and progesterone levels, which regulate the menstrual cycle.
If you are still having periods and are considering testosterone therapy, your doctor will monitor your hormone levels to help maintain balance. In some cases, combining testosterone with other hormone treatments may help minimize changes to your cycle. If you notice significant disruptions, your provider can adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Testosterone Therapy?
Women who feel like something is “off” with their energy, mood, or overall well-being despite healthy lifestyle habits may benefit from testosterone therapy. If other treatments have not provided relief and symptoms persist, it may be worth checking hormone levels. Those who have undergone surgical menopause, have a history of hormonal imbalance, or struggle with unexplained changes in strength or cognitive function may also be good candidates.
Since hormone therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, all of our patients will receive a thorough evaluation. We will assess your lab results, symptoms, and medical history to determine if testosterone therapy is a good option for you.
A Smarter Approach to Hormone Health
If you have been struggling with symptoms that just do not seem to improve, it may be time to explore a different approach. At Phoenix Wellness in Tampa, FL, our team is here to help you regain your vitality.
Take control of your health with expert guidance. Call 813-825-0370 to learn more about testosterone therapy and schedule a consultation.
*It's important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if TRT is appropriate, as it may not be suitable for everyone and can have potential risks. Regular monitoring and medical supervision are essential to ensure safe treatment.