We don’t always know how much of an impact a hormonal imbalance can create in our bodies and overall functioning. When it comes to sex, hormones like testosterone are essential to our ability to have a sex drive but also more broadly to our general and reproductive health. Consequences of undiagnosed low testosterone and the struggles it brings, often result in loss of self-worth and self-esteem, leading to depression and anxiety, as well as potential relationships difficulties.
Testosterone is a hormone which is essential in the functioning of our libido, for everybody. We often associate testosterone with male individuals, and it is a male sex hormone; but female individuals also produce it in both the ovaries and the adrenal gland (located at the top of each kidney). If you are wondering why the adrenal gland, it is because part of what they regulate is the development of sexual characteristics.
For male individuals, and in a sexual context, testosterone plays an important part in the production of sperm and sex drive or libido. Low testosterone can result in low desire or desire discrepancy in relationships but also issues with fertility.
For female individuals, and still in the sexual context, testosterone plays an important role around ovarian function and sexual behaviour or sex drive. Low testosterone can result in similar issues as the ones cited above for male individuals.
Testosterone production does decline over time. This is in part why; older male individuals may start to develop erectile function difficulties and female individuals post menopause may lose their sexual drive completely.
When to question whether we may have low testosterone? If there has been a change in sex drive, increase fatigue, mood changes or issues with conceiving which are some of the main symptoms of low testosterone. These can also indicate other issues outside of testosterone but just add to the list of potential causes low testosterone to be checked.
Checking levels of testosterone is done through a blood test. It is important to look for both levels of Testosterone and levels of SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). The latter is a protein that binds to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, helping to gauge if there is hormonal imbalance between free and active hormones. The imbalance is what generates symptoms such as fatigue or loss of libido.
Low testosterone deficiency is treatable with gels and/or injections. These are mainly developed for male individuals but can work for females too (gels). Do consult your GP or urologist for support if required. There is also an approved treatment for females, however it is less common than the ones for males. For post-menopausal female individuals, it is possible to take Testosterone alongside HRT, however, recommendation is to try HRT on its own first, followed potentially by Testosterone therapy.
