What Every 40+ Woman Should Know About Testosterone
A woman faces away from the camera, holding up a dumbbell in her left arm.
Blog read time: 2.5 minutes
When most women think about hormones in midlife, they think estrogen and progesterone. But there’s another hormone quietly declining in the background—one that plays a major role in energy, body composition, sex drive, mood, and motivation: testosterone.
And no, it’s not just for men.
Testosterone matters deeply for women’s vitality—especially after 40.
Wait…Women Have Testosterone?
Yes—women naturally make testosterone, primarily from the ovaries and adrenal glands. It’s present in lower amounts than in men, but it’s crucial for:
Lean muscle mass
Bone density
Cognitive sharpness
Libido and sexual function
Energy and motivation
Metabolic health
Testosterone levels peak in your 20s and steadily decline with age—especially during perimenopause and menopause. This decline is often overlooked in conventional care.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
If you’re over 40 and noticing any of the following, testosterone may be part of the picture:
Unexplained fatigue or lack of drive
Decreased muscle tone or more body fat
Less motivation to exercise or push through your day
Loss of libido or sexual satisfaction
Poor recovery after workouts
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Mood instability or increased irritability
These symptoms are often chalked up to “normal aging”—but they’re not inevitable.
Why It’s Often Missed in Traditional Medicine
Most conventional hormone panels don’t include testosterone for women unless specifically requested. Even when it’s tested, the interpretation can be flawed:
Normal ≠ Optimal
A level might fall within the lab’s “normal range” but still be suboptimal for you.Total vs Free Testosterone
Free testosterone—the bioavailable portion—is often what matters most, but rarely checked.
At Ascend Wellness MD, we use advanced hormone testing to evaluate your total, free, and SHBG-bound testosterone, giving a full picture of what’s really going on.
Is Testosterone Therapy Safe for Women?
Yes—when prescribed carefully and monitored by a physician, testosterone therapy for women is safe and effective.
We use bioidentical testosterone in low, physiologic doses—typically as a topical cream or injection, depending on your preference and response.
Testosterone therapy is not about becoming “masculine.” It’s about helping you feel strong, vital, and connected to your body again.
Real Results: What Patients Report
Women on optimized testosterone therapy often say:
“I finally have energy to get through my day.”
“My workouts actually feel productive again.”
“I feel like me again—in my skin and in my marriage.”
“My body responds better. I’m less puffy and inflamed.”
“I stopped snapping at everyone and crying for no reason.”
Testosterone and the Bigger Picture
Testosterone doesn’t work in a vacuum. It interacts with:
Estradiol: Estrogen keeps tissues healthy and synergizes with testosterone.
Progesterone: Balances the calming/restorative side of your cycle.
Cortisol: Chronic stress can lower testosterone production.
Insulin: Metabolic health matters—especially with PCOS or weight changes.
That’s why our hormone optimization plans at Ascend Wellness MD are never one-size-fits-all. We personalize based on your labs, symptoms, goals, and lifestyle.
Is Testosterone Right for You?
Not every woman needs testosterone—but every woman deserves to know her levels and what her options are. If you’re over 40 and feeling off, testosterone could be a missing piece.
Next Steps
At Ascend Wellness MD, we combine cutting-edge hormone care with high-performance living strategies to help you thrive in midlife and beyond.
Schedule your consultation to explore your hormone blueprint and see if testosterone therapy is right for you.