TESTOSTERONE FOR WOMEN - THE NEED TO KNOW

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Today we’re diving into a topic that hardly anyone talks about — and when they do, they often get it wrong: testosterone for women.

Most people think testosterone is a ‘male hormone,’ but the truth is, women absolutely need it too — for your brain, your bones, your energy, your mood, even your body composition.

We’re going to break down why testosterone is critical at every age, how to know if you’re low, the different ways you can take it, why some doctors avoid prescribing it, what happens if you take too much, how it affects everything from your bones to your brain — and I’ll also touch on some fascinating new research that’s flipping the old myths upside down."

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OK - back to testosterone!

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Segment 1: Testosterone Through the Ages 

"Let’s start with how testosterone changes across a woman’s life.

In your late teens and early 20s, your testosterone is at its peak — somewhere around 30 to 50 ng/dL. And honestly, you probably never thought about it because estrogen and progesterone were also sky-high, giving you energy, confidence, muscle tone, and drive.

But here’s the kicker: testosterone starts to decline in your late 20s to early 30s, silently.
By the time you hit your 40s, you could be down to half of what you had in your 20s.
And after menopause? Many women’s testosterone drops so low it’s barely measurable.

Why does that matter?

Because when estrogen and progesterone also fall, testosterone has to do extra work. It becomes one of the last hormones keeping you sharp, resilient, and metabolically active.
So yes — you may actually need more testosterone in your 50s than you did in your 20s — not less."

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Segment 2: Symptoms of Low Testosterone 

"Wondering if your testosterone might be low?
Here are the big symptoms I look for in clients:

• Unexplained fatigue — even if you’re sleeping.

• Loss of muscle tone or difficulty building muscle.

• Brain fog, forgetfulness, or that 'what did I come in here for?' moment.

• Low libido, painful sex, or emotional detachment.

• Increased belly fat, even with no big diet changes.

• Mood swings, irritability, or loss of drive and motivation.

And the sneaky thing is — these symptoms often get brushed off as ‘just aging’ or ‘just perimenopause.’ But low testosterone might be the missing link."

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Segment 2.5: Total vs. Free Testosterone + Lab Ranges 

"Let’s talk labs — because the numbers matter.

When you get bloodwork done, you’ll usually see two testosterone values:

✅ Total Testosterone
✅ Free Testosterone

Total testosterone measures all the testosterone in your blood — including what's bound to proteins like SHBG. Most of it is inactive.

Free testosterone is the small percentage that’s actually usable by your body — the active form.

Most women feel best when:

• Total testosterone is between 50 and 100 ng/dL

• Free testosterone is between 2 to 5 pg/mL

Now here’s the problem:
Many women get told they're ‘normal’ at 10 or 12 ng/dL total, but they feel awful — zero energy, low sex drive, brain fog. And their doctors say, “You’re fine.”

Wrong.
That might be technically normal — but it’s not optimal.
You need to look at both total AND free levels, plus SHBG, which can trap your testosterone and make it unusable.

In short:
Total T shows what’s in the tank.
Free T shows what your engine actually gets to use."

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Segment 3: How Women Take Testosterone (Cream, Injection, Pellet) 

"There are three main delivery options for women:

1. Creams or Gels

• Compounded for women, applied to thin skin like inner arms or thighs.

• Absorbed through the skin, bypasses the liver.

• Easy to adjust dose — very smooth and consistent.

• This is my top choice for most women.

2. Injections

• Tiny doses, like 2 to 5 mg once or twice a week.

• Absorbed quickly.

• May cause a “peak and trough” feeling — high energy then a crash if the dose isn’t balanced.

• Some women love it, others feel a bit up and down.

3. Pellets

• Implanted under the skin every 3–6 months.

• Sounds convenient… but if the dose is too high, you’re stuck with it.

• Can cause acne, mood changes, and unwanted hair if overdone.

• Best for women who have already dialed in their ideal dose with cream or injections.

Also — testosterone pills aren’t commonly used in women. They’re processed by the liver and can raise liver enzymes or affect clotting — so they’re generally avoided.

My advice: start with cream or injection, go low and slow, and follow symptoms + labs."

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Segment 4: Why Doctors Don’t Prescribe It

"Why is testosterone for women still so taboo?

Three reasons:

1. Medical school bias. Doctors are taught testosterone = men. That’s it.

2. Fear of side effects. They worry about hair growth or deep voices — which only happens with high, inappropriate dosing.

3. Liability. There are very few FDA-approved testosterone products for women, which means docs are nervous about legal gray areas. But functional medicine docs and HRT specialists do it all the time — safely, and with amazing results.

And don’t forget — there’s no big pharmaceutical push for women’s testosterone. No blockbuster drug means no major marketing. So, it stays in the shadows."

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Segment 5: Signs of Too Much Testosterone 

"What happens if you take too much?

Here are the signs:

• Acne (especially jawline or back)

• Hair thinning or shedding

• Deepening voice

• Chin hair or upper lip hair

• Irritability or aggression

These only happen if the dose is too high for too long.
That’s why starting low, tracking labs, and adjusting based on symptoms is so important."

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Segment 6: Effects on Bone, Brain, and Energy 

"This is where testosterone really shines.

🦴 Bone:
Testosterone helps activate osteoblasts, the cells that build bone.
It’s a key player in preventing osteoporosis, especially post-menopause.

🧠 Brain:
It supports memory, learning, and clarity.
In fact, low testosterone is linked to depression and Alzheimer’s risk in women.

⚡ Energy & Metabolism:
Testosterone increases muscle mass, burns fat, and supports insulin sensitivity — which is critical if you want to avoid midlife weight gain and metabolic issues.

So no, it’s not just about libido. It’s your brain. Your bones. Your body composition."

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Segment 7: Fascinating Studies 

"Let me wrap up with a few powerful studies:

• A 2014 study in Menopause journal showed testosterone therapy improved sexual function, bone density, and memory in postmenopausal women — safely.

• A 2020 review in Climacteric found women using testosterone actually had a lower breast cancer risk.

• And research from JCEM found that testosterone improved verbal learning and memory recall in women over 50.

This is not fringe science. This is real, evidence-based, life-changing medicine — and more women need access to it."

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"If you’ve ever been told testosterone isn’t important for women — now you know better.

If you’re feeling tired, weak, foggy, or frustrated with your changing body — check your levels. Ask for total and free testosterone, plus SHBG. And work with someone who understands functional hormone replacement.