Testosterone and Cortisol: Keys to Women's Hormonal Health, Weight Control, and Sexual Drive

Testosterone and Cortisol in balance are both part of a women's healthy hormonal system and sexual drive. These two hormones, along with estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid all are players in health, a women's hormonal system and sexual drive. It is the imbalance of these hormones that cause such havoc in the body. Most of the articles you read deal with estrogen and progesterone problems. There are not enough articles written dealing with testosterone and cortisol imbalances. These two hormones are just as important to overall hormonal health. Many women never even consider that their hormonal problems may be due in part to a deficiency of testosterone and elevated Cortisol levels. If your sex drive has decreased or gone completely, you need to look to your testosterone levels. Testosterone is considered the hormone of desire. One of the biggest complaints from women is their lack of sex drive. It also contributes to relationship problems as well.

Testosterone

Testosterone is produced in the woman's ovaries and also in the adrenal glands.Testosterone is used by the body to create muscle, skin, tendons, bones and other body tissue. It has a role in blood cell production, metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

Testosterone deficiency symptoms include low sex drive, loss of muscle mass, lowed metabolic rate, weight gain, increased abdominal fat, weak bones, back pain, increase in cholesterol, insomnia, mood changes, depression, and fatigue. Fatigue is one of the top complaints with almost all women, no matter what the age. Even though fatigue is not usually caused by just one factor, low testosterone certainly may be a contributing factor.

Women produce only 1/10 of the testosterone that men produce and the levels begin to drop by the age of 30. By the time a woman reaches 45 years of age, the testosterone level has dropped by 50 per cent. Since a majority of women also have elevated Cortisol levels, this is another factor in lowered Testosterone levels.

What does Cortisol do in the body?

Cortisol is important to many body processes including proper glucose metabolism, immune function, regulation of blood pressure, regulation of glucose metabolism, and the proper release of insulin. It is also involved in the body's inflammatory response. It is a necessary hormone in a healthy hormonal system.

Cortisol is only a problem when it is either overproduced or underproduced.

Cortisol imbalances are due to chronic, prolonged high stress, diet, and lack of exercise. Other factors include inadequate sleep, Anorexia Nervosa, some combined oral contraceptive pills, commuting in traffic, caffeine, and lack of exercise.

How does stress affect the balance of Testosterone and Cortisol levels? What is The Testosterone / Cortisol connection in weight gain and low sex drive?

Prolonged, chronic stress not only increase cortisol levels but decrease testosterone levels. Both hormone imbalances cause you to gain weight and specifically in the stomach. The balance of these two hormones together in the body is extremely important. In many recent research studies it has been shown that an imbalance of these two hormones leads to insulin resistance or pre-diabetes, increased risk of heart disease, Increased bad cholesterol, suppressed thyroid function and impaired cognitive performance. Suppressed thyroid function and suppressed testosterone's levels both cause a low sexual drive as well.

How do you know which hormones are out of balance?

You need to have your hormone levels checked by a physician. There is no other way to know for sure without those tests. Since hormonal imbalances cause so many physical and mental problems, it is one of the most important panel of tests for a woman to have done. Thyroid hormone in itself affects every function of the body including the immune function, temperature, metabolism rate, hair and skin quality, and mental functions. Each hormone has affects both by itself and in harmony with the other hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. They are all part of the perfect circle of hormonal health.

How do you restore hormonal balance?

Diet is extremely important. Caffeine stimulates Cortisol production so its elimination is extremely important to hormonal balance. Eating a diet based on whole natural foods, fiber, whole fruits and vegetables will help your body and hormonal system to be healthy. You need to get rid of sugar, fast food, and junk foods. You need to eat less red meat and more fish, chicken, and turkey.

Exercise Reduces Stress: Exercise lowers elevated Cortisol levels and increases the production of Testosterone. Lifting weights, and endurance exercise are two that top the list.

Deep, restful sleep goes a long way to creating overall health, wellness, and hormonal balance.

Drink Water: Dehydration can cause hormonal imbalance. Most people do not drink enough pure, water. Coffee, soda, and ice tea may taste good but have negative effects on health, weight, and hormonal balance.

Stress Reduction and Attitude: It is not the stress that often is responsible for our stressed out physical and mental attitude but our individual reaction. Stress is ever present in today's life for most of us. We cannot control our fellow office workers, our family, friends, the traffic, or world events. Life is everyday becoming more unstable and unpredictable. There is no certainly about much in our life. The only thing we CAN control is our individual attitude and reaction to these stressful circumstances. We can control how we emotionally and mentally react at any given time. We have the ability to get angry or to let it go. We have the ability to let it ruin our whole day or just be a temporary irritation. We have the ability to let a co-worker's nasty remark set the stage for a bad day or we can resolve to have a good day despite that remark. Happiness should not be dependent on outside circumstances but is a choice we make as an individual. Even in the worst of circumstances, we can find joy, blessings, and peace. There are many ways to reduce stress but it needs to start from within.

The next article will address some supplements that have an affect on Testosterone and Cortisol levels.

References:

women.webmd.com/news/20080411/testosterone-spray-for-womens-libido

The Cortisol Connection, Shawn Talbott, PH.D.,FACSM, Hunter House Publications, Hunterhouse.com

www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/testosterone-for-women