For women, testosterone may be available in limited supply, but it can make a big difference in their bodily functions. Especially when it comes to memory and aging, postmenopausal women who take testosterone therapy may enjoy longer-lasting cognitive abilities. However, as with all hormone replacement regimes, taking testosterone is not without its side effects. Read on to weigh the pros and cons.
Why Testosterone?
In women, estrogen is usually the hormone that steals the spotlight, but every female produces and requires testosterone too. A woman's testosterone levels are usually at one-seventh the level of the average man, which is just enough to ensure sexual and overall health. In women, testosterone takes over such tasks as enhancing libido, providing strength for muscles and improving memory.
Given the decline of all hormones that occurs after menopause, some researchers at Monash University in Australia decided to test a simple hypothesis: can prescribed daily testosterone stop memory decline in postmenopausal women?
How Is Testosterone Linked to Memory?
When women lose testosterone after menopause, it is common to begin experiencing short-term memory loss, such as not being able to remember the name of the person whom you just met, or where you left your car keys. In more severe cases, they may also experience recent memory loss, preventing them from recalling what they learned from one day to the next. Ultimately, the development of long-term memory loss and dementia becomes a possibility.
The study at Monash found that a little dose of testosterone each day helped to improve the memory of the post-menopausal women who participated, as well as their ability to learn and process new information.
What Do the Results Mean?
While the first-round results serve to acknowledge that more testing should be done, they indeed look hopeful. If subsequent studies yield similar results, increasing testosterone could effectively fight the development of memory loss and dementia in women after menopause.
What Are the Side Effects of Testosterone?
Many women already use testosterone to combat some of the symptoms of menopause. It should be noted however, that testosterone therapy can result in side effects such as acne, deepened voice, growth of facial hair, and balding.
Recommendation
In lieu of potentially harmful hormone replacement, testosterone deficiency is often safely and effectively treated with a combination of dietary changes and natural herbs. Click the following link to read more about natural ways to increase testosterone in women.