Highlights
- The Reality: Testosterone is not just for men. It is the most abundant biologically active hormone in a woman’s body during her youth.
- The Problem: By the age 40, women’s testosterone levels drop by nearly 50%, leading to “flat” moods, low libido, and persistent fatigue that Estrogen alone cannot fix.
- The Fear: Many women avoid therapy due to myths about masculinisation or confusion with High testosterone in women (PCOS).
- The Solution: At Menovivre, we use micro-doses of bioidentical testosterone to restore the “spark” of life, energy, motivation, and sexual wellbeing—safely.
There is a pervasive misconception in women’s health that Estrogen is the only hormone that matters in midlife.
Many women start Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and successfully eliminate the “classic” symptoms of menopause. The hot flashes stop. The night sweats disappear. The anxiety settles. Yet, a lingering sense of depletion remains. You might feel “flat”—lacking the physical stamina, mental sharpness, or sexual desire you once had.
This “partial recovery” is often not a failure of your current treatment, but a sign that a critical piece of the puzzle is still missing: Testosterone.
While often labelled a “male hormone,” testosterone is biologically essential for female vitality. Understanding its role is key to moving from simply “managing” menopause to truly thriving in it.
Do Women Have Testosterone? The Biological Truth
One of the most frequent questions we encounter is simply: “Do women have testosterone?”
The answer is yes. In fact, in a young healthy woman, testosterone is more abundant in the bloodstream than estrogen. It is produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands and is the primary driver of muscle tone, motivation, and libido.
However, unlike the sudden “cliff-edge” drop in estrogen that triggers menopause, testosterone declines slowly and steadily starting in your 30s. By the time you reach menopause, your levels may be half of what they were in your 20s. This gradual erosion is often responsible for the “loss of spark” that many women attribute to normal ageing.
Symptoms: Differentiating Low Testosterone vs. Low Estrogen
To understand if testosterone is your missing link, it helps to distinguish its symptoms from those of estrogen deficiency.
- Low Estrogen typically presents as “hot” and “dry”: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and anxiety.
- Low Testosterone typically presents as “flat” and “tired”:
- Low Libido: A complete lack of sexual desire or responsiveness (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder).
- Persistent Fatigue: Feeling physically drained even after a good night’s sleep.
- Muscle Weakness: Finding it harder to build tone at the gym or feeling physically weaker.
- Brain Fog: A lack of focus, motivation, or “drive” to get things done.
If you have treated the “hot” symptoms with estrogen but are left with the “flat” symptoms, Testosterone is often the overlooked factor.
High Testosterone in Women vs. Therapeutic Replacement
A major barrier for women seeking help is the fear of side effects, often stemming from confusion about High testosterone in women.
Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause naturally high levels of testosterone, leading to acne or unwanted hair growth. However, this is a state of imbalance.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy at Menovivre is entirely different. We are not aiming for high levels; we are aiming for physiological levels, restoring you to the range you had in your healthy 30s. When dosing is monitored correctly by a specialist, the risk of these side effects is extremely low.
Safety and The “Masculinisation” Myth
Will taking testosterone make you grow a beard or deepen your voice? This is the number one fear surrounding this therapy.
The answer is no, provided the dose is correct.
Women require a tiny fraction of the testosterone dose that men do (typically about 1/10th). The Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women, endorsed by the British Menopause Society, confirms that transdermal testosterone therapy is effective and safe for women, without significant adverse effects when kept within physiological female ranges.
The Menovivre Protocol: Restoring Your Spark
At Menovivre, we do not guess; we test.
We begin with a comprehensive blood panel to measure your Total and Free Testosterone levels, along with your Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). This ensures we get a clear picture of how much hormone is actually available to your cells.
If you are a candidate, we typically prescribe bioidentical testosterone in a cream or gel form. This allows for precise, micro-dosing tailored to your body’s unique needs.
Reclaiming Your Vitality
You do not have to accept a life without drive, desire, or energy. Testosterone is not just about sex; it is about the zest for life. It is the hormone of motivation and muscle, of strength and stamina.
If you feel like your current HRT regimen is only doing “half the job,” it is time to look at the full picture.
Request a Hormone Consultation to discuss if adding testosterone to your care plan is right for you.
Testosterone in Females FAQs
Yes. The International Menopause Society states that there is no evidence of serious adverse events with physiological testosterone use. It does not increase the risk of breast cancer or heart disease when used responsibly under medical supervision.
