Hypogonadism is the condition of not producing enough testosterone. Signs of hypogonadism in men and people with male anatomy include:
- Low sex drive
- Thin facial and body hair
- Fewer spontaneous erections (such as while sleeping)
It is natural for testosterone to decline with age and is not necessarily a cause for TRT.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women
Women and those assigned female at birth also produce testosterone and estrogen, although the amount of testosterone is much lower than that of men. Most of the testosterone is produced in the ovaries. In women, testosterone plays a role in:
- Libido (sex drive)
- Bone health
- Energy and mood
- Fertility and menstrual cycle
Women's testosterone does decline with age, especially after menopause, but most of the time, TRT is not needed. If a woman complains of low libido and wants to change this, experts usually recommend ruling out other causes first, such as relationship problems and current medications. Some medications, for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (used to treat depression), may cause a decrease in testosterone.
Synthetic testosterone for women is only allowed in Australia. In other countries, women take testosterone off-label, usually at one-tenth the dose given to men. Women who take testosterone may develop an increase in libido. There does not appear to be any benefit for women's energy, mood, or bone health.
Causes of low testosterone
Reasons for low testosterone include:
- Getting older
- Side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy
- Testicular damage
- Testicular cancer
- Excessive weight gain
Problems with the glands in the brain that control hormone production (the pituitary gland signals the testicles to produce testosterone.)
When do testosterone levels drop?
Testosterone levels are highest in men around age 17 and begin to decline as they age, starting in their 30s and 40s. The decline is subtle (about 1% per year) but increases with age. By age 70, the average male testosterone level is 30% below peak but is generally still within the normal range. That's why many men in their 70s and older can father children.
You may confuse low testosterone (low T) with erectile dysfunction. While erectile dysfunction(ED) can be a symptom of low T, which can reduce your libido, some men with low T have no problems getting an erection, while others have ED with normal testosterone levels.