Many men and a surprising number of providers don't realize that taking exogenous (synthetic) testosterone or over-the-counter supplements may have harmful side effects if not administered properly. See a provider and discuss your options for treatment. If you have bothersome signs of low testosterone, avoid over-the-counter supplements. But you should address symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. "Could it help with body composition and replacing that muscle? I feel more clear.’ I was working out and my intensity was back, my libido was back," she says. Toi-Yan Littlejohn, 57, a retired firefighter in California, tried testosterone pellets and sublingual testosterone before switching to a provider at Midi Health who prescribed testosterone cream. Anecdotally, many women experience a host of benefits. "It would be really nice," Kurtzer says, "if we did have an FDA-approved product for women that was dosed appropriately." In one study, some products contained more than 20% of the prescribed dose, while others had essentially no testosterone. There are a few forms of testosterone, including pellets injected under the skin, pills taken orally, and topical gels and creams. Sometimes low-T is caused by medical conditions, such as genetic diseases or past chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy, you’ll need regular follow-up visits with a healthcare provider. If you have symptoms of low testosterone, talk to a healthcare provider. This may include medicine to help you produce testosterone or long-term testosterone therapy. If you have signs and symptoms of low testosterone, a healthcare provider will give you a physical exam. Most males with symptoms of low testosterone don’t have a problem with their pituitary glands or testicles. This is known as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism because there are low levels of hormones. In some men, estrogen levels will increase as testosterone levels increase. Some testosterone supplements have been shown to cause health conditions such as erectile dysfunction and kidney failure. It's possible to have a normal total testosterone level and experience low-T symptoms if this balance is off. In female bodies, testosterone is converted quickly into estrogen, while in men it remains mostly as testosterone. Before adding any herbal remedies to your diet, talk to your doctor about how they may interact with any drugs you’re taking or affect any medical conditions you may have. Reducing your testosterone may help reduce any masculine traits caused by your high levels of testosterone. Addressing the issues above with a mixture of therapy, stress-reduction techniques, adequate rest, and counseling can help restore libido naturally. All three macronutrients play a role in supporting hormone production, including testosterone. Eating regular, balanced meals is one of the simplest ways to support your hormones. Blood sugar crashes create stress in the body, and as we just talked about, stress suppresses testosterone. Testosterone is an essential part of reproductive health. Late-onset hypogonadism affects about 2% of men over the age of 40. It can also lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of eight. Your provider will always reference your laboratory’s normal ranges when interpreting your results. LH then travels to your gonads and stimulates the production and release of testosterone.