TRT can affect pregnenolone levels as the body’s hormonal feedback mechanisms adjust to the influx of synthetic testosterone. Pregnenolone, often termed the "mother hormone," is a precursor to various steroid hormones, including cortisol, DHEA, and testosterone. Hypothyroidism can lead to symptoms similar to low testosterone, including fatigue, weight gain, and depression. The thyroid gland produces hormones (T3 and T4) that regulate metabolism, energy production, and overall growth and development. While testosterone replacement therapy may provide better results in improving testosterone levels, some may want to know how to treat low testosterone in a woman naturally. Despite the lack of targeted therapies for women with low testosterone, they have one option that may increase their levels. Here’s a look at medical and non-medical, natural treatments for low testosterone in females. While it’s known that many men with low testosterone levels, often referred to as T levels, can be asymptomatic, the effects of low testosterone in women are not as well studied. Medical, natural, or a combination of both types of treatment may help regulate testosterone levels. If a woman is experiencing symptoms of too much testosterone, it’s best to seek treatment to find the underlying cause. Among sex hormones, low testosterone in men and estrogen-progesterone imbalances in women are the most frequently diagnosed conditions. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone influence energy, body composition, mood, and sexual function in both men and women. Besides cortisol, other hormones play a role in energy levels and fatigue. Walking is typically superior to HIIT for adrenal fatigue recovery — 20–30 minutes of easy walking supports cortisol rhythm normalization without triggering a significant stress hormone surge. While many adrenal fatigue symptoms appear in both sexes, women experience a distinct symptom profile shaped by hormonal interactions. We use saliva testing to diagnose adrenal fatigue, and we look at your hormone levels as a whole to develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs. As a result, adrenal fatigue in men can be commonly mistaken as just low testosterone levels because of symptoms like low sex drive, fatigue, and a loss of muscle mass. The lack of energy affects nearly every system in the body, making the body become sluggish and unresponsive. In cases where a blood test shows that you have a hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy may be necessary. This imbalance is linked to fatigue, decreased bone and muscle mass, impaired immune function, and decreased sex drive. When their levels drop, they also increase oxidative damage to the body's tissues. The aging process also has a strong effect on adrenal function. When testosterone levels fall, men are more likely to develop obesity and heart disease. While testosterone is the predominant androgen in males, the adrenal glands also produce other androgens. Like high testosterone, there’s no definitive range as to what is considered low testosterone, or hypogonadism, in women. If a woman has too much testosterone in her body, she may begin to notice changes to her physical appearance. It’s important to note that for people assigned female at birth (AFAB), there’s no exact number for determining high testosterone levels, also known as hyperandrogenism. Below is a chart representing the normal range for female testosterone levels by age and ng/dL. In comparison, normal testosterone levels for men ages 19 years and older are typically between 240–950 ng/dL. Both males and females produce testosterone in their bodies, but males typically have much higher levels of it. Progesterone decline, which typically begins in the late 30s and accelerates through perimenopause, contributes to sleep disruption, anxiety, and fluid retention. It also impacts insulin sensitivity, sleep quality, and mood regulation. Declining estrogen affects fat distribution, shifting storage from the hips and thighs toward the abdomen. In men, testosterone declines approximately 1% per year after age 30. According to Endocrine Connections (2018), chronic stress can alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, causing symptoms that mimic testosterone deficiency. Chronic stress or disrupted sleep cycles can throw off the balance of cortisol production, leading to persistent fatigue. If you have new and persistent symptoms, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. At Abundant Life Health Care, we focus on getting you feeling better and getting you back to where you were before adrenal fatigue took over. While many healthcare providers will treat patients with a one-size-fits-all approach, we take into consideration your unique needs when it comes to your treatment plan. There are many seemingly unrelated symptoms of adrenal gland dysfunction. Men experiencing both high and low cortisol levels, and the resulting DHEA fluctuations, may exhibit similar symptoms. Adrenal fatigue in men occurs when a man’s stress levels remain elevated for a prolonged period of time. Ensuring balanced cortisol levels is crucial for maintaining emotional health during TRT.
