Testosterone Replacement Therapy

While traditionally considered a "male" hormone, testosterone is also crucial to the female body. Testosterone is a sex hormone produced in the adrenal glands in female. It boosts strength, appetite, well-being, sex drive, and mental acuity. Like estrogen and progesterone, testosterone fluctuates in relation to other hormones.

Testosterone plays a number of roles in the body, including:

• Maintaining muscle mass.
• Strengthening bones.
• Increasing libido.
• Increasing energy.
• Supporting cognitive function.

When testosterone levels decrease, emotional changes, lethargy, and decreased libido may result. Many women turn to Testosterone Replacement Therapy to address these and other unpleasant symptoms triggered by hormonal fluctuations.

Traditional HRT combines progesterone and estrogen; recently, however, doctors have begun including testosterone as part as the combination. Stand-alone testosterone is almost never prescribed for women. Read on for more information on  testosterone replacement therapy.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

TRT introduces testosterone into the body and helps reduce bothersome symptoms. It can be administered through pills, gels, injections, patches, tablets or lozenges.

Doctors typically do not prescribe testosterone pills; they can trigger liver toxicity and can also reduce levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol). Bioidentical testosterone (similar to what the body produces naturally) can be administered in transdermal forms such as gels, creams and patches or in sublingual drops and tablets.

Side Effects of Estrogen Replacement Therapy

TRT can cause side effects, some of which are listed below:

• Increased LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
• Unexplained fatigue.
• Mood changes.
• Fluid retention.

DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is thought to be a gentler alternative to testosterone. In the long run, it leads to more efficient production of testosterone and may not produce as many side effects as TRT itself.

Now that testosterone replacement therapy has been explored, continue reading to understand the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy.

Visit the different sections about hormones

Read up-to-date articles about hormones