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My Testosterone Levels are Imbalanced: How Can I Fix This?


Imbalanced testosterone levels aren’t something that only men have to worry about. Although women produce only one-seventh of the testosterone men do, the hormone is important for the regulation of many essential female functions like libido, metabolism, mood, and bone health. How can you keep your testosterone levels in-check? Read on to find out.

What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a steroid hormone, which means it is derived from cholesterol. In women, the production of testosterone is split between the ovaries and the adrenal glands. The female body produces an average of three-tenths of one milligram of testosterone each day. While the amount may seem insignificant, imbalanced testosterone levels can trigger a host of serious side effects, from lack of energy and increased fat storage in the case of testosterone deficiency, to increased body hair growth and mood swings if you are suffering from high levels of testosterone.

3 Ways to Keep Testosterone Levels Balanced

1. Exercise

A strength training exercise regime is a great way to boost testosterone levels.

If you’re suffering from low testosterone levels, incorporating some strength training into your exercise regime is a great way to boost testosterone hormone production. Try adding some squats or light weightlifting into your workout. Make sure you’re pairing your strength training with cardiovascular activity such as running or walking to help burn excess fat and reduce stress.

2. Eat right

A well balanced diet is an important part of any woman’s life, but especially those going through the menopause life transition. Introduce testosterone-boosting foods like fruits, salads, fish, poultry, nuts, and seeds into your daily diet to help boost energy levels. If you’re experiencing testosterone dominance, try incorporating estrogen-boosting foods like soy, alfalfa, sweet potatoes, and rice into your diet instead.

3. Consider an herbal supplement

Phytoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.

The phytoestrogens contained in many herbal supplements can help to stabilize hormone imbalances in the body. This is thanks to the action of phytoestrogens, which are plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Ginseng also functions as an energy and libido booster in menopausal women, while soy can help to preserve bone density, and dong quai helps to prevent iron deficiency and reduce stress.

Recommendation

A testosterone dominance or deficiency can trigger uncomfortable side effects in women. Women who are considering treatment for testosterone imbalance should be warned that currently no prescription testosterone products are approved for menopausal women by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), since they can cause serious health risks. Click on the link below to learn more about treatments for testosterone imbalance.

 

Reviewed on Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

• Rail, Kevin. ¨How to Increase Testosterone with Exercise.¨ http://www.livestrong.com/article/23031-increase-testosterone-exercise/
• Shifren JL (2004). The role of androgens in female sexual dysfunction. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 79(Suppl): S19-S24.
• North American Menopause Society (2005). The role of testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women: Position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause, 12(5): 497-511.

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