Photo Credit: Bill Dobbins
LEIGH PENMAN – RX MUSCLE
At first glance, the title of this article may seem outlandish (even preposterous) however, believe it or not, there are actually more women who would benefit from testosterone replacement therapy than men. Even before menopause occurs many women have significantly lower levels of free testosterone (or any of its precursors such as DHEA). In the years following menopause the levels fall even further leading to symptoms such as lack of libido, depression, fatigue and difficulty losing weight. When testosterone is administered the results can be quite dramatic with renewed outlook and enthusiasm for life, increased energy levels, reduction in fatigue, restoration of sex drive and greater ability to lose weight when following exercise and diet programs.
In fact, leading pharmaceutical company Procter & Gamble have recently introduced a testosterone patch for women called Intrinsa. This patch is usually prescribed for women who have gone through menopause after surgical removal of their ovaries and uterus. Women who have used the patch have reported a 50 to 70% increase in sexual desire and, although it is not yet widely available, it does mark a significant change in the way we view testosterone use by women. So, with this in mind, let’s take a look at all the possible benefits women could experience from the correct use of testosterone (and let your eyeballs rest on the word ‘correct’ for a moment before you read on!).
TESTOSTERONE AND BODY COMPOSITION
It is a simple fact of life that during the years preceding menopause and the years that follow, women experience changes in body composition – with noticeable increases in fat storage. This change in body composition can begin up to fifteen years before true menopause actually occurs. The hormone connection with this body composition alteration is rarely explored and, to make matters even worse, this is also the time when most doctors willingly distribute estrogens and progestins in the name of Hormone Replacement Therapy. This practice only serves to make matters worse since administering estrogen and progesterone makes it almost impossible for a woman to lose weight. After all, isn’t estrogen used by farmers to fatten up livestock swiftly and increase their turnover/profit margins? Any woman who has used birth control pills during her lifetime will attest to the fact that weight gain is usually a side effect of their use – from as little as 3 pounds to as much as 8-10 pounds being experienced.
So where does testosterone come into the equation?
Well, it is a widely held belief that testosterone causes weight gain, since studies have been published linking abdominal obesity with elevated testosterone levels in women. The flaw in this theory is the ‘conveniently omitted’ fact that these women not only have elevated testosterone levels but their whole hormone profile is out of balance. In addition to this, their insulin levels are often high with poor insulin sensitivity- which in turn promotes weight gain.
Interestingly enough there have been trials conducted on a transdermal testosterone gel for women which would allow for a slow release of testosterone into the bloodstream, keeping levels elevated for about six hours and bypassing the liver. This substance has received little media attention though and has, for the best part, taken up residence on the shelf occupied by other drugs, which are either considered inappropriate or unsafe for use.
TESTOSTERONE AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Libido is another area where testosterone plays a major role in women, with low testosterone levels being linked to a lack of sexual desire. Administering testosterone in such cases has often restored a woman’s sex drive to youthful levels with increases in the ability to achieve orgasm as well as length of orgasm experienced. Needless to say, the increased interest and participation in sexual activity significantly relieves stress and depression as well as improving the quality of relationships.
This increase in libido is often reported amongst female bodybuilders who venture into testosterone use – although most anabolics will increase libido to a degree. It also needs to be said that it doesn’t take high doses to achieve this effect .As far as test and libido is concerned a little goes a long way!
THE SIDE EFFECTS
Of course it would be totally irresponsible to neglect to mention the side effects which may be experienced by women introducing testosterone to their system. After all, you are introducing an essentially male hormone into a female body. Of course, side effects are dose related, but they do include such things as:
• Hirsutism (increased hair growth on face, chest, around nipples and buttocks).
• Deepening of the voice – beginning with hoarseness before the voice actually ‘breaks’ like that of a pubescent male.
• Vaginal Discharge can sometimes present itself. This is not a sign of infection but if it occurs –which is not always the case – can be troublesome.
• Clitoral Enlargement – which may or may not be considered a negative effect (depending on the amount of ‘growth’ involved). It does however usually lead to a greater frequency and intensity of orgasms.
• Menstrual Irregularities or amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycle for six months or more). Of course this is not of concern to postmenopausal women and may even be considered an asset by pre-menopausal women.
Wrapping up the side effects issue, it has to be said that the onset of virilization symptoms (deepening of the voice, increased body and facial hair growth, acne etc) can differ greatly between women depending on individual sensitivities and genetics. It is therefore advised that a female considering testosterone use should start by using low dosages (even a testosterone pro-hormone) and carefully monitoring effects. Also keeping cycles short allowing for sufficient breaks in administration.
TESTOSTERONE THERAPY
Perhaps the time is coming where testosterone will actually be considered as a therapeutic agent when it comes to treating both pre and post menopausal women, instead of loading them up with estrogen (which often leads to increased fat mass and loss of muscle).
For younger women (especially those considering having children one day) hormone therapies and the use of testosterone to enhance athletic abilities and assist in gaining muscle mass should be considered very carefully. Side effects are usually inevitable and then it becomes a matter of choice as to whether this is acceptable for the individual concerned. It is also worth pointing out that some side effects are not irreversible and so it becomes an internal battle of risks versus benefits for the woman concerned.
To sum up, it is not the purpose of this article to trash the use of the traditional hormones estrogen and progesterone when it comes to implementing hormone replacement therapies since they play a valuable role in the prevention of osteoporosis, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. However, as with most things in life it is a question of balance and, in this case, maintaining the optimal balance for health and wellness.
The time may have come to give up on the old ‘pink for girls, blue for boys’ theory of hormone administration and put some research into testosterone therapy when it comes to helping women lead fuller lives. This would be of particular benefit to those women who have been declared ‘estrogen dominant’ following hormone profiles as this state can take a serious toll on a woman’s health, ability to lose weight and general sense of well being.
The whole subject is certainly controversial but it is also thought provoking and definitely worthy of further investigation. I am sure we will hear much more about this form of hormone therapy as the results of existing studies begin to filter their way into the mainstream media.
LEIGH PENMAN – RX MUSCLE
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