Causes of Low Testosterone Levels

Low testosterone levels in women can lead to a number of side effects. Testosterone, as well as estrogen and progesterone, are vital hormones in women's bodies. When they decline; through either natural or induced reasons, the body can react negatively. Although testosterone is not thought of as a predominantly female hormone, it has been linked to the enhancement of libido, amongst other health benefits.

This section describes causes for low testosterone levels in women: natural, induced, and other less frequent ones.

Understanding the Causes of Low Testosterone Levels

Because of the importance of testosterone in women's bodies, it is necessary to identify the causes of low testosterone. By identifying the causes it may be possible for women to take steps to prevent any future loss of testosterone. There are a number of natural, induced, and other causes which can trigger the loss of testosterone.

Natural Causes of Low Testosterone Levels

Natural causes of low testosterone are usually unavoidable and happen to most women to varying degrees as they age. Hormone production is directly linked to age. When people are young, important hormones are created in abundance, while when people age, production diminishes.

Deficiency in Progesterone: Progesterone is directly linked to the production of testosterone in the body. Testosterone relies on there being sufficient levels of progesterone. One form of progesterone is said to convert itself into androstenedione, which is a component from which testosterone is created. Subsequently, if women are suffering from a deficiency of progesterone then their testosterone levels can drop as a result.

Natural Aging process: The natural ageing process is another natural cause of a lowered testosterone level in women's bodies. Testosterone is primarily produced in the ovaries of women. When testosterone production from the ovaries declines, the body relies on the adrenal glands to take over. In some instances the reserves from the adrenals can perform a sufficient job. However, due to life stresses, the adrenal glands can sometimes be void of sufficient levels of testosterone.

Induced Causes of Low Testosterone Levels

Induced low testosterone levels are given this name because they are caused by external factors. Procedures, such as hysterectomy, chemotherapy or radiation, affect the main organs that produce testosterone, bringing about diminishing in their production.

Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is one form of surgery that can result in low testosterone levels. Surgically, it can have two forms: partial or total. Partial hysterectomy is when the uterus is removed; while total hysterectomy refers to when uterus and ovaries are removed. This last one causes a condition called "surgical menopause", disrupting ovarian hormone production.

Following a hysterectomy, a woman enters into surgically-induced menopause and experiences hormone imbalance, regardless of whether or not her ovaries remain. Typically, the ovaries stop working within 1-3 years after hysterectomy, as blood flow to them ceases.

It´s recommended that women who begin menopause due to hysterectomy should check their estrogen (estridiol), progesterone and testosterone levels. Hysterectomy results in a shortage of vital hormones and therefore many women may want to use available treatments to deal with this deficit.

Chemotherapy: Another cause of low testosterone levels in girls and women is radiation therapy or chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions. Many females find that after such treatments their ovaries do not function correctly. Yet, it is worth noting that every woman´s experience is different and the performance of the ovaries is down to the type of chemotherapy received and whether or not radiation was used on the ovaries.

Birth control pills: They can also lead to a change in testosterone levels: SHGB is a component of the birth control pill. SHGB binds with testosterone, which in some instances can prevent the movement of the hormone through the bloodstream.

Other Causes for Low Testosterone Levels

Other reasons for a drop in testosterone levels exist, that do fit into either natural or induced categories. In this case, this change is normally caused by stress.

Stress: A stress induced loss of testosterone is very common amongst women. Chronic stress has been identified as a particularly troublesome obstacle in the bodies fight to maintain normal testosterone levels. This is because the body reacts to stress by creating less sex hormones and more stress hormones. In the long run, this change in hormone production can eventually reduce testosterone levels substantially.

There are a number of causes for a lowering of testosterone levels in women's bodies. Some of these causes are preventable, whilst others occur naturally at differing points in women's lives. In the event of a lowering of testosterone levels, the symptoms of low testosterone are also an important factor which must be discussed.

For a look at such symptoms, read on to learn about the symptoms of low testosterone level.

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