By pH health care professionals

What comes to mind when you think about testosterone? Images of beefy men in the gym? Aggression? A strong sex drive? While testosterone is considered one of the most important male hormones, you should also be aware of how it affects women’s health too!

Testosterone in women

In males, testosterone is produced in the testes. But in females, testosterone is produced in multiple locations, including ovaries, adrenal glands and tissues. Testosterone is critical for women for multiple reasons, including:

• It is a major precursor for estradiol production (estradiol is a major estrogen), and estrogen is important for a healthy menstrual cycle and reproductive system.
• Testosterone is also key when it comes to sexual desire (in both men and women). Research has shown a link between serum testosterone levels (which can be measured in a blood test) and sexual desire, and the reverse is true as well; anti-testosterone therapy has been linked with a loss of sexual desire.
• Testosterone may be important for your bones and muscles, and keeping your hormones balanced may help you keep a healthy bone mineral density and lean muscle mass.

Test, don’t guess

Testosterone levels decline with age across the reproductive years; by the time women reach their late 40s, their blood testosterone levels are approximately half what they were in their 20s. Middle-aged women may need to have their hormones tested by a doctor to determine which ones are low or too high so they can enjoy better energy, sex drive, weight/body composition, mood and well-being.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.