The truth about testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by women in small amounts, it is also the main sex hormone in men.
In women testosterone is made by the adrenal glands, the ovaries and in the muscles. In post-menopausal ladies, testosterone is made mainly by the adrenal glands and muscles, and often drops off over this time, leading to low energy levels, low sex drive, and low muscle mass.
There are issues associated with low and high testosterone levels in women.
As mentioned, low levels of testosterone can affect women going through menopause, but it can also affect women who are run down, nutrient deprived, or sick for other reasons.
Typically low testosterone levels make women lack pizzazz – you know that up-beat, competitive streak. Physically it makes them feel low on energy (especially on waking), low on mojo (sex drive) and low on strength.
High testosterone is actually far more common - especially in working, busy and stressed women.
I realised my levels were out when I became a cranky yelling mum and wife. I didn’t know what was possessing me, as prior to that I was a very happy-go-lucky person.
The prevalence of rising testosterone levels in women, particularly in modern cultures, is becoming a real health risk. There isn’t a lot of research into high testosterone levels in women, which is what prompted me to write my book, Beauty and the Beast Within, The Hormone Changes Making Women Wild.
What I have discovered with women who have high testosterone is a myriad of commonalities.
Typically the woman is working, or stressed, has high expectations of herself, and has a competitive edge.
It can augment memory and mood, give us more muscle (and strength), a higher sex drive, and assists with preventing osteoporosis. That’s the good stuff.
Then there are some not so good symptoms.
High levels of testosterone can also give us male physical changes. For example, whiskers (anywhere on the body, but particularly the chin and breasts), male-patterned baldness (androgeneitc Alopecia), and thinning of the hair, abdominal fat, aggression, acne and infertility (due to annovulation and cyst formation on the ovaries).
In fact high testosterone levels are the main reason for infertility in Australian women.
So what can you do about it?
There is little research and definitive information, but if you want to know what your testosterone levels are, the best way is to test via a saliva test.
You will need a holistic doctor or naturopath to do this test. Blood levels for hormones are very inaccurate, and the best way to measure hormones is via saliva.
The three main things, which I talk about more in Beauty and the Beast Within, that can assist lowering high testosterone levels are as follows:
1. Balance carbohydrates with proteins - high carbohydrates (eg. sugars, alcohol, grains, fruit and vegetables) can lead to insulin spikes, which lead to a spike in testosterone. Always eat carbohydrates with a protein.
2. Stress less – the glands that make your stress hormones also makes testosterone. Imagine that every time you are feeling stressed, you are making more testosterone (unfortunately the same strategy can’t be used to increase testosterone). If you work, you need to have a signal that says ‘I have left work now I need to put on my mummy hat, or my girlfriend hat, or my me hat’. Leave your work hat at work.
3. Refeminise – a term I use to refer to all that girlie stuff we do. Having been a tomboy most of my life, I was very proud not to be girlie, but when I discovered my testosterone levels were through the roof, I decided that I needed to be more true to myself. Refeminising means, not being scared of being a woman. It doesn’t mean you are weak, soft or dumb. It usually means you are beautiful, nurturing and have many wonderful attributes, so let them shine. Wear dresses, wear jewellery, be kind on yourself and don’t try to always be a lad.
High testosterone in women is a health risk.
Aside from infertility rising from one in ten couples in 2000, it is now affecting one in six couples. This will continue to rise until we spread the word amongst our girlfriends that we need to be happy and content with being chicks and girlie.
Modern women are very competent beings, and many of us need to learn balance. If you have any concerns, find a good naturopath or holistic doctor and be sure to read Beauty and the Beast Within.
Contact details
Sam Beau Patrick - www.healthqueen.com.au
