Testosterone – Only for the Manly?
Testosterone. We hear the word and think of a virile, manly man – a muscular, strong man whose testosterone flows through his veins with every heartbeat. What would you think, then, if you learned that testosterone is as important to a woman’s well-being as it is a man’s?
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone, or chemical substance, secreted through the body to help with innumerable bodily functions. There is a specific group of hormones called androgens that function in several ways, but, in part, they relate to the development of sexual characteristics. Of all the androgens present in our bodies, testosterone is the most prevalent. While higher levels of testosterone are present in men, testosterone is responsible for several functions in both genders, including:
- The development of muscles
- The production of red blood cells
- Optimizing bone density
- Libido and sexual function
- Initiating the onset of puberty
Why is Testosterone Important for Women?
While testosterone is important in regulating the physical processes noted above, it’s also an important component in women’s physical development and overall wellness. In women, testosterone contributes to the functioning of the ovaries, and perhaps even to mood and cognition. As we age and experience peri-menopause and menopause, our hormonal levels decrease, which impacts how well our bodies function.
In a well-balanced female body, testosterone is crucial to reproductive wellness. Through other chemical or hormonal processes, testosterone in a woman’s body is converted to a kind of estrogen called estradiol, which is fundamental to:
- Regulation of the menstrual cycle
- Keeping bones strong and osteoporosis at bay
- Growth of body hair during and after puberty
- Functioning of the female reproductive system for conception
Testosterone Imbalance in Women
Testosterone imbalance in women brings with it a myriad of unpleasant and sometimes taxing symptoms. Women who encounter this imbalance may have:
- Fertility problems or infertility
- Obesity
- Hair loss
- Cessation of menses
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
A testosterone imbalance in women can also cause hirsutism, or the excessive growth of facial hair or hair on other parts of a woman’s body where it doesn’t typically grow.
How to Fix It
Clearly testosterone plays as important a role in women’s health as it does in men’s. If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, you don’t have to just live with it. There are treatments available that can help alleviate those symptoms and let you live a healthier, happier life.
We Can Help!
For those in the Quincy, IL area, Vallee Health Repair, LLC is ready to help you balance those pesky hormones. Vallee Health Repair is an integrative health clinic, where you are cared for with compassion and professionalism. During your treatment at Vallee Health Repair, your health will be evaluated using both traditional and complementary medical processes.
Tasha Vallee, FNP-BC, FPA, is a certified, licensed, and credentialed family nurse practitioner in the state of Illinois. She has practiced in a wide variety of community settings and strives to provide personalized care that helps you live your life to the fullest. Contact our office today at (217) 577-2992 or vhrillinois@gmail.com to make an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve balance in your life and body.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.