What Impact Does Testosterone Have on Women’s Bodies?
Normal levels of testosterone have multiple functions on the overall health of women.
It Keeps Bones Healthy
Having optimal testosterone levels supports healthy bone growth and strength, according to research.
Even though other papers have concluded that estrogen plays a more significant role in bone formation, testosterone still has an indirect role to play, mainly because the body converts it to estradiol, a type of estrogen.
One study compared spine bone density in postmenopausal women who had higher testosterone levels with those who had lower levels. The authors found higher bone density in the spines of the women with higher testosterone levels, which may support a bone-strengthening role for testosterone.
It Might Support Cognitive Health
Mixed research has explored the link between testosterone and cognitive function in females. One study found that lower testosterone levels were linked to worse performance on tests of global cognition, processing speed, and verbal memory.
However, more recent research found no link between a drop in testosterone levels and cognitive decline.
For now, the Endocrine Society’s guidelines state that not enough evidence supports the link to recommend testosterone supplementation to manage cognitive decline.
It Maintains Sex Drive
Testosterone plays a role in driving desire, fantasy, and thoughts about sex, known as libido, and even helps provide the energy for sex in women, says Aaron Spitz, MD, a urologist based in Laguna Hills, California.
However, low libido can occur due to a complex combination of physical, mental, and emotional factors.
While low libido can be a symptom of low testosterone in women, it doesn’t immediately point to low testosterone.
