For women, we try to balance levels of Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Not all women need each of these hormones, which is why Dr. Purcell works from labs for each individual patient.
Testosterone is known as a “male” hormone, or androgen. It also is made in small amounts by a woman’s adrenal glands and ovaries. A woman’s testosterone is highest around age 20 and slowly declines till it is half as high in her 40s. Testosterone gives a woman her mental clarity, libido, and muscle tone and mass. Without it, women often complain of mental confusion, weight gain, and poor muscle growth even with regular exercise.
Proper labs are drawn to determine diagnosis. Testosterone replacement should approximate the natural, endogenous production of the hormone. Testosterone delivered by subcutaneous implants does not increase the risk of breast cancer as does oral, synthetic methyl-testosterone.
The clinical rationale for treatment of testosterone deficiency may include:
- Increasing bone density
- Enhancing body composition by increasing muscle strength and reducing adipose tissue
- Improving energy and mood