Testosterone or T hormone is a sex hormone produced by both men and women. Even though men produce greater amounts of this hormone, it is vital for women’s health and well-being. In fact, women have only one-tenth the amount of testosterone as compared to men.
In women, testosterone is produced in different locations: half of it is produced in the peripheral tissues, and the other half is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Combined with the female sex hormone estrogen, testosterone helps in the growth, maintenance, and repair of the reproductive tissues and builds bone mass. In this article, we will look at how testosterone is linked to weight loss in females and how important it is for women.
Relationship Between Testosterone And Body Weight In Women
In women, testosterone is converted into either estrogen or dihydrotestosterone. The amount of testosterone in females naturally decreases as they age. Just like men, women’s T levels are highest during the teenage years, and they decrease by half as we approach our late 40s.
Testosterone is responsible for several functions in the female body, which include building muscle mass, increasing bone density, improving libido, enhancing brain function, enhancing skin, nail, and hair health, and boosting energy levels and mood.
Symptoms of low testosterone levels in women include depression, low sex drive, obesity, fatigue, irregular menstrual cycles, reduced strength, hair loss, dry skin, changes in bone density, sleep disturbances, and osteoporosis.
Though it is rare, some women suffer from too much testosterone production, which shows symptoms such as excess body hair, a deepening voice, excess hair on the upper lip and chin, increased muscle mass, acne, and the absence of periods. Here is how testosterone affects the body weight of women:
- Between testosterone and body fat, there is a two-way connection. That is, while normal testosterone levels stimulate muscle growth, low testosterone levels are linked to a higher body fat percentage. Normal T levels suppress weight gain as they are mostly associated with muscle growth and the fact that muscles burn more calories than fat tissue. Thus, a lack of muscles puts individuals at a higher risk of storing excess calories as fat, which leads to additional weight gain. A healthy metabolism can aid in decreasing body fat and building muscle composition.
- Women gain weight more easily than men because of the presence of the sex hormone estrogen. As they age, female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate. With time, estrogen dominates the others, resulting in weight gain. An already increasing amount of testosterone converting into estrogen makes the weight gain worse as there is too much estrogen.
- Considering the above-mentioned facts, it is wise to increase testosterone levels to normal levels and lower the excess production of estrogen to gain muscle and lose weight.
How To Increase Testosterone?
Aging is not the only cause of the reduction in T levels; it can also be caused by stress, psychological factors, and the consumption of certain medications like antidepressants and oral contraceptives. There are several ways to boost testosterone naturally, and they are:
- Strength training: Studies have shown that strength training can increase your T levels and boost your metabolism.
- Getting enough sleep: Poor sleep is associated with a drop in testosterone production. A study done on individuals getting only 5 hours of sleep a day observed a 15% reduction in their testosterone levels.
- Reducing stress: Exposure to stress increases the levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone that suppresses testosterone levels. Therefore, a stress-free environment is necessary for a healthy lifestyle.
- Eating a balanced diet: Include fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and vitamin C-rich foods in your diet to increase metabolism. A balanced diet provides the nutrients needed to produce the T hormone.
- Taking supplements: Take vitamin D, zinc, and protein supplements to improve T levels. Supplements can bring T levels back to normal.
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Bottom Line
Testosterone is a very versatile hormone as it aids in many aspects of our well-being. It plays an important role in improving muscle mass, burning fat, and increasing energy levels, all of which are helpful in losing weight. But when we are deficient in testosterone, there is a significant decline in muscle growth and an increase in body fat, leading to weight gain.
We can naturally raise testosterone levels by strength training, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and eating a balanced diet. However, it is always best to consult a doctor to find out what works best for you.
