Could Low Testosterone Be Why You Don't Feel Like Yourself?
By Michelle Clay, FNP
Women don’t always think of low testosterone levels as being the culprit for their symptoms, but it’s not uncommon.
Often, women who have a low testosterone level feel more tired, feel less motivated, struggle to maintain muscle mass, and have low libido.
Yes, Women Need Testosterone Too
We tend to think of testosterone as a male hormone, but women produce testosterone too—just in much smaller amounts.
And it does more than influence sex drive.
Testosterone plays a role in sexual function, muscle and bone health, and overall well-being.
Levels generally change as we age, and some women begin noticing symptoms long before anyone thinks to evaluate testosterone.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone Aren't Very Specific
Here's where it gets tricky.
There isn't one symptom that tells me:
“Yep. That's low testosterone.”
Fatigue could be related to thyroid function, iron deficiency, poor sleep, insulin resistance, stress or a dozen other things.
Loss of muscle could be related to inadequate protein, lack of strength training, menopause, aging—or simply not using those muscles like we used to.
Low libido can involve testosterone, but it can also be affected by estrogen, medications, stress, relationships, sleep and vaginal discomfort.
That's why I don't diagnose low testosterone based on multiple factors.
Testosterone Therapy Isn't for Everyone
I prescribe testosterone to women when I believe it's appropriate, but I don't think every tired 45-year-old woman needs testosterone.
And I definitely don't believe the goal should be to push testosterone levels as high as possible.
When testosterone therapy is used, it should be individualized and monitored for both response and potential side effects.
More isn't necessarily better.
If you don’t feel like yourself anymore, I think that’s worth investigating
Maybe testosterone is part of the reason.
Maybe it's your thyroid.
Maybe you're not sleeping.
Maybe you're iron deficient.
Maybe you're insulin resistant.
Maybe you're going through perimenopause and several things are changing at once.
That's why I believe in stepping back and looking at the whole picture.
The goal isn't to blame everything on hormones. It's to stop guessing and figure out what's actually going on.
Wondering If Your Hormones Could Be Part of the Picture?
If you've noticed changes in your energy, mood, sleep, weight, libido or overall sense of well-being, my FREE Hormone Imbalance Assessment can help you identify patterns in your symptoms.
It only takes a few minutes, and you'll get your results immediately.
👉 Take the FREE Hormone Imbalance Assessment
About the Author
Michelle Clay, APRN, FNP-C
Michelle Clay is a Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Balanced Health, a Kentucky-based telehealth practice specializing in women's hormone health, thyroid optimization, insulin resistance, and weight-loss resistance.