TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone is often stereotyped as being a male entity, but it plays a lead role in the health and well-being of both sexes. This hormone is vital in regulating a woman's body.

Continue reading to learn about testosterone, the signs and symptoms of testosterone imbalance, causes, and treatment options.

About Testosterone

Testosterone in a woman's body boosts her strength, sex drive, and mental sharpness. Because menopause creates many hormonal changes, it is important to understand how these hormones, and their levels, can affect a woman before and after this transition.

Definition of Testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in both males and females. In men it is produced in large quantities in the testes and promotes the development of male characteristics. In women it is produced in smaller amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Production of Testosterone

Women produce far less testosterone than men, approximately one-seventh the amount each day. This small quantity of testosterone circulating in the female body is essential for normal sexual development before, during, and after menopause. As a woman ages, she will naturally produce less testosterone. This decline is most severe during menopause, with levels diminishing to merely half of what they were before menopause.

Click the following link to learn more about testosterone; or, continue reading to find out about testosterone imbalance.

Testosterone Imbalance

Testosterone is essential for the general health and sexual functioning of the female body. It is vital for a woman approaching menopause to be aware of her testosterone levels.

Testosterone's effects can be categorized into three areas: physical, sexual, and psychological.

Physical	Testosterone stimulates development of muscle, bone, skin, hair growth and sex organs.
Sexual	Testosterone enhances a woman's libido. As a key player in a woman's sex drive, it affects interest, arousal, sexual response, lubrication and orgasm.
Psychological	Testosterone impacts a woman's moods. It improves mental power, by enhancing visual and perceptual skills.

Read below to discover the importance of testosterone levels in a woman's body.

Testosterone Levels

Women approaching menopause experience different hormonal changes. There are no set "normal" hormone levels, but it is recommended that the total level of testosterone in a woman's body, for peak health, range from 50 to 1000ng/dl (nanogram per deciliter). Testosterone levels can be checked by a simple blood test. Tests are usually given only if a woman is experiencing symptoms of a testosterone imbalance.

Click the following links to find out more about low testosterone levels or high testosterone levels. Continue reading to learn about the symptoms of testosterone imbalance when either of these cases occurs.

Symptoms of Testosterone Imbalance

During menopause a woman's body goes through many hormonal changes. If her body is unable to adjust to these changes, she may suffer from symptoms of either high or low levels.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Testosterone deficiency can lead to several problems which often manifest into sexual, physical, or emotional health troubles. Below is a list of the common symptoms of low testosterone.

Sexual symptoms:	Physical symptoms:	Emotional symptoms:
•Loss of sexual desire. •Lack of sexual   responsiveness. •Weaker orgasms.	•Decrease in strength/   endurance. •Weak bones and muscles. •Increased fat storage.	•Depression. •Mood changes.

Click the following link for more information about the symptoms of low testosterone; or, continue reading to find out about the symptoms of high testosterone levels.

Symptoms of High Testosterone Levels
• Male pattern baldness • Increased hair growth • Deepening of the voice • Change in body shape	• Skin problems • Mood changes • Health risks

Symptoms of high testosterone

Abnormally high levels of testosterone in a woman's body can cause a variety of problematic and embarrassing symptoms. The most common symptoms include the following in the box at the left.

Click the following link to discover more about symptoms of high testosterone; or, continue reading to find out about possible causes of testosterone imbalance.

Causes of Testosterone Imbalance

A testosterone imbalance can occur naturally as women age, yielding side-effects of weight gain, bone loss, hot flashes, and hair growth. There are several causes for both low and high levels.

Causes of Low Testosterone Levels

The following is a comprehensive list of the typical causes of low testosterone in women.

. Removal of ovaries
. Natural decline with age
. Low progesterone levels
. Certain medicines

Click the following link to find out more about the causes of low testosterone levels; or, keep reading to learn about the causes of high testosterone levels.

Causes of High Testosterone Levels

High Testosterone Major causes

• Low estrogen levels. • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). • Adrenal glands not functioning    correctly.

At the right there is a list of the most frequent causes of high testosterone:

Click the following link for more information about the causes of high testosterone levels; or, read on to learn about the treatments for testosterone imbalance.

Testosterone Imbalance Treatments

Each hormone plays a vital balancing role in a woman's body. If a woman experiences any symptoms of low or high testosterone it is essential she seek a solution quickly.

Read on to find out about the specific treatment approaches for low and high testosterone.

Treatments for Low & High Testosterone

Many treatment options are available to stabilize testosterone in aging women. These can vary in severity from simple lifestyle changes to the more serious hormone replacement therapy.

Lifestyle Changes(both low & high) Supplements & Herbs (both low & high) Testosterone Replacement Therapy (low only) Estrogen Replacement Therapy (high only) . Reduce Stress . Exercise . Boost female testosterone production inexpensive & free from health risks . healthcare professional Costly . Serious side-effects . healthcare professional Costly . Serious side-effects

A combination of approaches is usually the most effective route to take. Lifestyle changes combined with alternative medicine will most likely be the best way to alleviate hormonal imbalance.

Click the following link to learn more about treatments for testosterone imbalance.