Do Women Need Testosterone?

I thought That Was For Men 

If you or someone you know has dealt with menopause, then you’re probably familiar with the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone. These are the most commonly talked about hormones in menopause. There’s a good reason these are some of the most commonly talked about hormones in women. Estrogen and Progesterone are two of the hormones that truly make a woman feminine vs. masculine. They also regulate a woman’s natural cycle and make it possible to bare children. 

However, one of the most overlooked hormones in menopause is Testosterone. That’s right… Testosterone. Most women that I talk to don’t even realize that they have this hormone, yet it’s just as vital as Estrogen and Progesterone when it comes to menopausal health. 

Testosterone in women is important in the following ways: 

• Improving well-being 
• Improving energy 
• Improving strength and endurance 
• Improving body composition 
• By decreasing visceral fat (fat around the middle) 
• By increasing muscle mass 
• Improving bone density 
• Improving sexual function (libido) 
• Improving metabolism 
• Improving hot flashes 
• Improving mood 
• Improving vascular headaches 
• Increasing collagen 
• Increasing skin thickness 
• Improving skin texture 
• Decreasing wrinkles 
• Decreasing cellulite 

Aside from the benefits mentioned above, there are known benefits in preventing heart disease. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (2002) noted that, “Carotid artherosclerosis was significantly lowest for women in the highest quartile of total testosterone compared with those in the lowest quartile”. In layman’s terms, this means that healthy levels of testosterone, in the upper 25% of the range, have significant benefits in lowering heart disease risk, specifically arterial blockages. 

As a general rule-of-thumb, if you have the opposite of the benefits mentioned above, you are likely deficient in testosterone. A simple blood test can confirm whether or not this is the case. If you suspect this is the case with you, ask for help to determine if you are a candidate for biologically identical testosterone replacement therapy. 

To Your Health, 

Brian Brown

Little Known Health Benefits Of Melatonin

O.k., here’s the obvious. Melatonin helps with sleep. I know, I can hear through the waves of cyberspace the resounding… “Duhh.” More specifically, it helps influence sleep patterns – the fancy name is circadian rhythm. By influencing the deeper stages, Stage IV and REM, quality of sleep improves and health benefits are conveyed. 

Here are some published health benefits of Melatonin: 

Influences the release of Human Growth Hormone (HGH); which can affect weight loss and healthy weight maintenance 

• Energizes 
• Enhances Mood 
• Increases Natural-Killer-Cells 
• Modulates Immune Function 
• Protects Against Cancer 
• Potent Antioxidant 
• Free Radical Scavenger 

• Lowers Blood Pressure 
• Decreases Migraines & Cluster Headaches 

Melatonin is readily available in most all pharmacies. The best form to use is a “time release, micronized” form. This allows for better absorption and longer duration of action, compared to the standard over-the-counter versions, which more closely mimics the body’s natural Melatonin release. Typical dose range is anywhere from 1mg to 30mg per night. Because of the known health benefits and the relative low side effect profile, this supplement is a good all-around addition to any wellness regimen. 

To Your Health, 

Brian Brown