Feeling sexy during the hormone fluctuations that come along with menopause can sometimes be a challenge. Experiencing sexual desire can seem impossible amidst the constant barrage of menopausal mood swings, hot flashes, weight gain, and night sweats. Leaving you physically and emotionally drained, these symptoms can also affect your libido - making sex the last thing on your mind.
To counteract these effects, it's important to understand your body's testosterone levels and how they affect sexual desire.
Read on to learn more about how testosterone can affect your libido and help recharge your sex life.
What Is Testosterone?
Commonly known as the male sex hormone, testosterone is a cholesterol-derived steroid hormone that helps to promote sexual maturation in males and system regulation in females. In women, production of testosterone occurs in the ovaries and adrenal glands and functions to help boost sexual drive, strength and mental stimulation. Compared to males, women produce about one-seventh of the amount of testosterone which is essential for normal sexual development throughout their lives. Continue reading below to learn more about how to treat low libido caused by testosterone.
Testosterone and Your Libido
Considered the vitality force in rousing sexual desire, testosterone is essential to the female sex drive because it influences the “ring of sexual intercourse” - interest, arousal, sexual response, and lubrication. After menopause estrogen levels rapidly decline. This leaves many women with abnormally high levels of testosterone, causing testosterone dominance.
Symptoms of testosterone dominance include:
- Increased facial hair
- Deepening of the voice
- Acne or oily skin
- Change in body shape
- Increased aggression
- Uncharacteristically masculine behavior in women
Also, pregnant women with high testosterone levels generally birth smaller, less healthy babies that often experience social and developmental problems.
In women production of testosterone occurs as a multi-step process occurring within both the ovaries and adrenal glands. In perimenopause and menopause hormones produced by the ovaries decline and can result in the adrenal glands taking over control of sex hormone production, if adrenal reserves remain strong. But for many women who experience undue stress, the adrenal reserves deplete, resulting in lowered sexual desire.
During perimenopause and menopause, women with a healthier, less stressful lifestyle usually maintain healthy levels of testosterone production due to better adrenal function. Read on for some advice about taking testosterone supplements to treat low libido.
Are Testosterone Supplements Right for me?
In a study done on postmenopausal women, investigators found boosting testosterone levels was associated with increased sexual desire for lowered libido and increased sexual arousal. Although experts agree it's not a cure-all for the sexual blues, there is a correlation between testosterone and increased sexual desire.
Remember your sexuality is a great influence on your health and well-being. Understand what's best for you.
