You may need to check your TESTOSTERONE

[Guest guest]

(My testosterone was found low a year ago, and I've been

supplementing with it since then--1 mg a day. Janie)

TESTOSTERONE FOR WOMEN

- Clif Arrington M.D.

While testosterone is generally considered a male hormone, it is

also produced in the female by the ovary. Although the level of

testosterone in the female is only 10% of the level in men, it

rapidly declines during menopause along with estrogen and

progesterone. Some of the general effects of low testosterone in

women are decreased sex drive (libido), decreased energy and

decreased muscle mass.

In a study published in 1995 in the Australian journal Maturitas,

thirty-two post- menopausal women were treated with either estrogen

alone or estrogen plus testosterone. Both groups had increased

libido. However the group taking the testosterone - estrogen

combination experienced a significantly improved sex drive.

Additionally in other similar studies many women have reported that

the addition of testosterone improved their memory, boosted energy,

revived their interest in sex, and in general just increased their

entire sense of well-being.

Testosterone alone is not the answer. Lee M.D. noticed in his

clinical practice that lack of energy and sex drive were associated

with low progesterone levels in both pre and post- menopausal women.

Progesterone and estrogen have naturally occurring opposing effects

in the body so they have to be delicately balanced to maintain

health in women. According to Dr. Lee this balance needs to be

maintained in the post-menopausal woman as well and that estrogen

should never be prescribed alone without progesterone.

Rako, MD, has written about her personal experience in loss of

sex drive in her book, The Hormone of Desire. She stated that the

majority of women have heard about estrogen and progesterone and

their role in sex drive; however, few women or men have any

knowledge concerning the role of testosterone in the libido in

women. Dr. Rako found that testosterone supplementation has

significantly impacted her condition as well as in many other cases

where estrogen and progesterone supplementation was not enough.

Additional benefits of testosterone replacement therapy in women are

increased muscle and bone strength and increased self-assertiveness.

Current research is showing benefits of reducing the risk factors

for heart disease, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.

These and other studies have proven that testosterone replacement

can be invaluable for many patients, however, this can never become

something a person can simply self-diagnose and treat at home. The

delicate balance that must be maintained for this type of therapy to

be successful and not harmful make it necessary for you to seek a

trained physician to test and monitor your condition.

Testosterone therapy is only available by prescription and has to be

supervised by a physician. Side effects include oily skin, acne and

increased facial hair. However with proper dosage these side effect

are minimal, and worth the benefits to most patients. Excessive

dosage can cause clitoral enlargement and lowering of the voice.

Testosterone s available in synthetic or natural forms administered

as long-acting injections, implanted pellets, pills, skin patches or

transdermal creams. A complete physical exam and laboratory analysis

of all the major hormones is absolutely necessary to correctly

diagnose your need for hormone replacement, if any. In closing,

research is proving more and more that anti-aging benefits without

proper balanced hormone replacement therapy is limited. Men and

women both experience widespread decline in hormone levels that can

seriously effect how quickly and how healthy they will be as they

age.

http://www.anti-agingmd.com/testoterone.html