Testosterone/Andropause/DHEA

Testosterone For Women

Testosterone – The Forgotten Female Hormone

Many think of estrogen as the “female hormone”, along with progesterone. However women produce other hormones that are also very important. Growing evidence suggests that testosterone may play an important role in maintaining women’s bodies and health. Many people do not realise that decreased testosterone may contribute to many of the menopausal changes that have been attributed to decreased estrogen, including bone loss, fatigue and vaginal dryness.

In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands and to a lesser extent in the skin, brain and liver.

The ovaries continue to secrete testosterone following menopause, but there is a gradual decline as a women ages after menopause.

Testosterone For Men

Testosterone, the primary sex hormone in men, rallies sexual desire, and helps to regulate other bodily functions.

During male puberty, the following bodily changes typically occur:

Testosterone plays an important role in puberty, the time when a young person reaches sexual maturity and becomes able to reproduce.

Andropause

Some references have begun referring to hormones difficulties for men as ‘andropause’, a word somewhat like ‘menopause’. While there may be similarities between the hormone changes in men and women, I do not choose to make the comparison to strongly. Women clearly undergo significant changes in their hormones and functions as they age. This change is called menopause and there is a large body of work on the subject.

The idea of a male menopause – or andropause – has some support. Unlike women, men have not been subjected to the same dramatic changes – and men do not experience a decline in their overall ability to reproduce. What seems to happen is that men’s hormones become imbalanced over time.

And this imbalance can have negative impact on a man’s health – of feeling of wellness. The imbalances can be corrected and wellness can be obtained.

DHEA Information

General: DHEA has risen in popularity since its release to the market in the mid 90’s. It is a naturally occurring weak androgenic (male) steroid hormone, produced by the adrenal glands.

Reported Effects: It has been used for a variety of reasons including to try and prevent aging, improve sexual function/erectile dysfunction, treat cognitive decline, enhanced athletic performance, facilitate weight loss, improve strength, treat osteoporosis, improve immunomodulation for rheumatologic conditions, and treat depression.

Dose: 25 to 50 mg per day – women treating menopause effects often do very well at a much lower dose – 5mg at bedtime is recommended

Half Life: Not clearly documented, but likely less than 2 hours. This is the amount of time needed to eliminate or deactify half of the dose taken.