9 Best Tips on How to increase testosterone in women!

How to increase testosterone in women

Do you want to know how to increase testosterone in women? Many women feel like they're missing out on something when it comes to testosterone. 

Testosterone is a hormone that's crucial to overall health and well-being, but many women don't realize how much this hormone impacts their lives. 

In this article, you'll find the best tips and treatments for increasing testosterone in women. You'll learn about the importance of this hormone and how to improve its levels naturally.

Table of Contents

What is testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is produced in a man's testicles. It is also produced in women's ovaries but in much smaller amounts.

Testosterone is responsible for developing and maintaining masculine characteristics and sexual function. It also helps to regulate mood, energy levels, and sex drive.

Low testosterone in women can be noticed through signs like when they are not interested in sex, have less muscle mass, weight gain, and a decreased sense of well-being.

This situation is usually related to adrenal insufficiency and menopause.

If you are a woman and your testosterone levels are low, it is essential to consult a doctor.

The doctor will help you figure out the cause of the decrease and prescribe the best treatment for you. In addition, that will help you feel better.

In women, circulating testosterone levels are usually lower than in men. That is because testosterone is responsible for male secondary characteristics.

However, the right amount of testosterone is essential for women to maintain several body functions.

How to know if you have low testosterone

Some signs of decreased testosterone levels in women can be seen. The most common symptoms are:

  • Reduced well-being.
  • Persistent fatigue.
  • Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (Sexual disinterest.)
  • Body fat accumulation.
  • Decreased muscle mass.
  • Mood swings.
  • Lack of motivation.
  • Weight gain.
  • Decreased bone mass. 

Do you need to check if testosterone is low in women?. A blood test measures the amount of free testosterone in the blood.

The physician may also order the measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels if there is suspicion of an adrenal glands problem that results in a lack of androgens.

Leading causes of low testosterone in women

The decrease in testosterone concentration in women can occur for different reasons, including:

  • Aging.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.
  • Inadequate nutrition.
  • Failure or removal of the ovaries.
  • Use of drugs containing estrogens, antiandrogens, or glucocorticoids.
  • Adrenal insufficiency.
  • Anorexia Nervosa.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Lupus.
  • AIDS. 

During menopause, it is common to have altered hormone levels, including testosterone levels. That can influence the typical signs and symptoms of menopause.

Therefore, sometimes the gynecologist will prescribe testosterone-based medications to help with the symptoms of menopause when other hormones haven't worked.

How to increase testosterone in women

If a woman's testosterone levels are 25 ng/dL or less, increasing the amount of testosterone should be done under medical indication. That is usually recommended if the woman has blood testosterone concentrations equal to or less than 25 ng/dL.

Some of the testosterone-based medication options that the gynecologist may recommend are:

Injectable testosterone

Testosterone injections are available alone or in combination with estrogens.

Steroid hormone therapy is usually given in cycles, with breaks in between to allow the body to produce its testosterone.

Possible side effects of testosterone injections are Acne, Increased hair growth on the face and body, Changes in menstrual periods, breast enlargement.

Oral testosterone

The oral form of testosterone is a tablet that you take by mouth. Possible side effects of oral testosterone are Headache, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anxiety, irritability, changes in sex drive.

You can buy testosterone tablets in conventional pharmacies. The safest dose is 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg per day.

Skin patch

The testosterone skin patch is a new way to get testosterone into your system.

The patch is placed on the skin. It delivers a steady dose of testosterone through the skin directly into the bloodstream.

Possible side effects of the testosterone skin patch are Acne, Increased hair growth on the face and body, Changes in menstrual periods, breast enlargement.

The testosterone skin patch is available by prescription only. The testosterone patch should be replaced every 4 days and provides 300 micrograms of testosterone each day.

Testosterone gel or Androgel

Testosterone gel or Androgel, which can be prepared to contain Testosterone Propionate 1% to 2%, is meant to be applied to the woman's external intimate region.

Possible side effects are Acne, Increased hair growth on the face and body, Changes in menstrual periods, breast enlargement.

The testosterone gel or Androgel is available by prescription only. The recommended dose is 1.62 grams per day (2 pumps). You should rotate the application site daily.

Precautions on testosterone replacement therapy

You should only use testosterone-based medications if you have a medical condition that requires them.

These medications can cause side effects, such as cholesterol changes, liver damage, increased risk of heart attacks, and breast and ovarian cancer.

The treatment should not be carried out for more than six months because the risks of using testosterone for a long time are not known.

It is essential to have regular medical examinations and evaluations while being treated.

How to increase testosterone levels naturally

It is possible to increase testosterone in women by naturally

Consuming Caltrops

Some people think that the plant Tribulus Terrestris or bindii can be more sexually active.

Some people also think that this plant can help increase testosterone levels, which might help to get a healthy sex life.

The findings were confirmed in menopause research by a 2016 study in postmenopausal women. The study found that women who had poor libido generally also had low testosterone levels.

People who took the supplement for a long time showed an increase in testosterone and libido. The people who did not take the supplement showed no change.

There was not a single study that showed significant side effects.

Taking Malaysian Ginseng

Eurycoma Longifolia or Malaysian ginseng have been used as an aphrodisiac by alternative healers for thousands of years.

The 2014 study published in Phytotherapies Research sought to test the validity of this data in females. Older people were given capsules containing 400 milligrams of "Eurycoma Longifolia" every day.

The Malaysia Ginseng increased their testosterone gradually. It stayed above baseline for about three weeks until the study concluded.

So far, scientists have not found any adverse side effects from taking Malaysian ginseng supplements.

They are now trying to figure out how the supplements work and why they positively impact.

Zinc and magnesium-rich foods

Oysters, beef, lamb, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and dark chocolate are all high in zinc. Magnesium is found in leafy green vegetables, nuts, and blackstrap molasses.

Vitamin D rich foods

al women to increase their testosterone levels. Foods such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, vitamin D-fortified orange juice, and fortified milk are high in vitamin D.

Also, chestnuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, sardines, spinach, and fish oil.

Vitamin A-rich foods

Vitamin A is a natural testosterone booster. Foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, apricots, and cantaloupe are high in vitamin A.

Weightlifting and HIIT

Engaging in weightlifting or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to boost testosterone levels in women.

In addition, it is essential to avoid stress and dedicate moments for relaxation and exercise. The ideal is to practice some physical activity of your liking at least two times a week for 1 hour or daily for 30 minutes. 

Avoiding sugar-rich foods

Foods that are high in sugar and soy can disrupt testosterone production.

Avoiding processed foods

On the other hand, processed foods include trans fats that can decrease testosterone levels.

Getting good sleep

Testosterone production is highest during sleep. Aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep per night.

Possible risks of taking testosterone supplements

The use of testosterone by women is only indicated when recommended by a doctor.

Using testosterone in large quantities or unnecessarily can increase the risk of developing cancer in the breasts and ovaries, heart attacks, blood clots, and insulin resistance.

Other side effects could be favoring the appearance of acne, making the skin more oily, altering the voice, and promoting clitoral enlargement.

In addition, testosterone can lead to fat accumulation in the abdominal region. That can favor fat accumulation between organs, increasing the risk of heart problems and liver toxicity.

Because of the risks of taking too much testosterone, it is not recommended for women to use it to increase muscle mass.

The bottom line

Testosterone is a hormone with many essential functions in both men and women.

For women, having optimal testosterone levels is key to maintaining a healthy weight, feeling energetic, and preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

If you're looking for ways to increase your testosterone levels, check out the tips we shared in this article.

And be sure to read our other articles on testosterone so you can get all the information you need to boost your health!

DISCLAIMER: buildyourbody.org does not provide medical advice, examination, or diagnosis.

Medically reviewed and approved by Nataniel Josue M D.

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