Hormonal changes are a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean every change in how you feel should be dismissed. If you’ve noticed a decline in sexual desire, changes in your energy, or other symptoms around menopause, you may wonder whether testosterone plays a role.

Although testosterone is often associated with men’s health, women produce this hormone, too. It contributes to sexual function and other processes throughout the body. However, understanding when to test testosterone levels, what those results mean, and whether treatment is appropriate can be confusing.

For women exploring testosterone therapy for women near Chevy Chase, MD, knowing the difference between normal hormonal changes and symptoms that deserve further evaluation is a helpful starting point.

At Potomac Medical Aesthetics in nearby Potomac, Dr. Peter Petropoulos offers hormone consultations and EVEXIAS hormone therapy services, helping patients better understand their available options.

How Do Testosterone Levels Change as Women Age?

Women produce testosterone primarily in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Although the amount is much smaller than what men produce, testosterone plays a role in sexual desire and normal physiological function.

Unlike estrogen, which can fluctuate considerably during perimenopause and decline around menopause, testosterone generally decreases more gradually throughout a woman’s reproductive years.

By midlife, testosterone levels may be significantly lower than they were in early adulthood. However, natural menopause does not typically cause the same sudden testosterone decline associated with estrogen.

This distinction matters because symptoms often attributed to low testosterone may actually be associated with estrogen changes, sleep difficulties, stress, medications, or other health concerns.

For example, hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness are more commonly related to changes in estrogen levels. A decline in sexual desire can have several contributing factors, including hormonal and nonhormonal causes.

Understanding these differences helps prevent unnecessary treatment and encourages a more personalized approach to women’s hormone health.

What Are the Signs of Low Testosterone in Women?

Some women begin exploring hormone testing after noticing changes that affect their relationships or quality of life.

Symptoms that may prompt a conversation with a healthcare provider include:

• Reduced sexual desire: A persistent decline in interest in sexual activity, particularly when it causes personal distress.
• Changes in sexual satisfaction: Difficulty experiencing the same level of sexual enjoyment as before.
• Persistent fatigue: Low energy that doesn’t improve with adequate rest.
• Mood changes: Irritability, reduced motivation, or feeling unlike yourself.
• Sleep difficulties: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep during the menopause transition.

However, these symptoms do not automatically indicate testosterone deficiency.

In women, the strongest evidence supporting testosterone treatment involves hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), a condition characterized by persistently low sexual desire that causes significant personal distress and is not better explained by another factor.

Fatigue, mood changes, and sleep problems are common concerns, but research does not establish testosterone treatment as an effective general solution for these symptoms.

A healthcare provider can help determine whether hormone testing, additional evaluation, or another approach makes the most sense.

When Should Women Have Their Testosterone Levels Checked?

One of the most common questions surrounding testosterone therapy for women near Chevy Chase, MD is whether testing should begin as soon as menopause symptoms appear.

The answer depends on your symptoms, medical history, and the reason for testing.

Unlike testosterone deficiency in men, there is no established blood testosterone threshold that diagnoses a deficiency in women. Laboratory measurements also become less precise at the relatively low concentrations naturally present in women.

For this reason, testosterone testing is generally most useful when a provider is considering treatment for a specific clinical concern, rather than as a routine screening test for every woman approaching menopause.

Testing may be appropriate:

• Before beginning testosterone therapy: Baseline results help identify women whose testosterone levels are already elevated.
• After treatment begins: Follow-up measurements help providers monitor hormone exposure and avoid excessive levels.
• During ongoing treatment: Periodic testing helps assess safety alongside symptoms and potential side effects.
• When unexpected symptoms develop: New acne, excessive hair growth, or other changes may warrant additional evaluation.

For certain prescribed testosterone treatments, clinical guidelines recommend checking levels approximately three to six weeks after starting therapy and every four to six months once treatment is stable.

The appropriate monitoring schedule may differ depending on the formulation being used.

Why a Testosterone Blood Test Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

It’s tempting to assume that a low laboratory result explains symptoms such as fatigue or reduced libido. In reality, women’s hormonal health is more complicated.

Testosterone levels vary naturally, and laboratory reference ranges can differ depending on the testing method. A result near the lower end of a laboratory range doesn’t necessarily mean treatment is needed.

A comprehensive evaluation may consider:

• Your symptoms and how long you’ve experienced them.
• Whether you’re approaching or have completed menopause.
• Current medications and medical conditions.
• Sleep quality, stress, and emotional well-being.
• Thyroid function and other possible contributors.
• Sexual health concerns and relationship factors.

In appropriate cases, additional blood work may help identify medical issues that could be contributing to your symptoms.

Rather than treating a single laboratory number, the goal is to understand your overall health and determine whether a specific intervention has a reasonable chance of helping.

Can Testosterone Therapy Help Women During Menopause?

Research suggests that carefully dosed testosterone therapy can improve sexual desire and satisfaction in some postmenopausal women diagnosed with HSDD.

However, testosterone is not considered a general treatment for menopause.

Women experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, or vaginal dryness may benefit more from established estrogen-based therapies, depending on their symptoms and medical history.

Other treatment options include vaginal estrogen for certain genitourinary symptoms, nonhormonal medications, counseling, and lifestyle approaches.

When testosterone is appropriate, treatment aims to maintain hormone concentrations within the physiological range typically seen in healthy premenopausal women.

There is currently no FDA-approved testosterone product specifically indicated for women in the United States. Certain transdermal formulations may be prescribed off-label under medical supervision.

Because treatment decisions depend on your individual circumstances, a discussion about potential benefits, limitations, and safety is essential.

Understanding EVEXIAS Hormone Therapy at Potomac Medical Aesthetics

Potomac Medical Aesthetics offers EVEXIAS hormone therapy services, including EvexiPEL hormone pellet treatment.

EvexiPEL uses small pellets containing hormones such as testosterone or estradiol. These pellets are inserted beneath the skin during an office procedure and gradually release hormones over several months.

Treatment typically begins with a review of medical history, symptoms, and relevant laboratory results.

For patients interested in a longer-acting hormone delivery method, pellets may appear convenient because they don’t require daily application.

However, there are important considerations.

Unlike certain creams or gels, hormone pellet doses cannot be readily adjusted or discontinued once inserted. This can make it more difficult to respond to side effects or excessively elevated hormone levels.

Professional guidance, including recommendations from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, advises against testosterone pellets for women because of concerns about dosing, limited supporting evidence, and safety monitoring.

Pellet formulations are also not FDA-approved specifically for treating women’s sexual health concerns.

Women considering EVEXIAS or EvexiPEL should discuss these limitations, alternative hormone delivery methods, and the reasons a particular approach is being considered.

Learn more about the practice’s EVEXIAS hormone therapy services.

What Are the Potential Risks of Testosterone Therapy for Women?

As with any hormone treatment, potential benefits must be weighed against possible side effects.

Testosterone-related side effects may include acne, increased facial or body hair, and scalp hair thinning. Excessive exposure can also cause voice deepening and other masculinizing changes, some of which may be irreversible.

Providers should consider your cardiovascular health, liver health, personal medical history, and any history of hormone-sensitive cancer before discussing treatment.

Long-term safety data for testosterone use in women remain limited, particularly beyond two years.

Routine monitoring and communication with your provider are important, but monitoring cannot eliminate every potential risk.

If treatment does not produce meaningful improvement within an appropriate trial period, generally no longer than six months for HSDD, current guidance recommends reassessing whether it should continue.

Finding Testosterone Therapy for Women Near Chevy Chase, MD

If hormonal changes are affecting your quality of life, finding a provider who takes time to understand your concerns can make the evaluation process more informative.

Dr. Peter Petropoulos, a board-certified physician and founder of Potomac Medical Aesthetics, offers consultations for patients interested in hormone therapy and wellness services.

Located in Potomac, Maryland, the practice welcomes patients from Chevy Chase, Rockville, Bethesda, and surrounding Montgomery County communities.

During your appointment, consider asking which symptoms may be hormone-related, whether testing is necessary, what treatments are supported by current evidence, and which risks apply to your medical history.

You can also discuss EVEXIAS hormone therapy, including how pellet treatment compares with other available approaches.

Take the Next Step Toward Understanding Your Hormone Health

Changes in sexual desire and other symptoms during midlife deserve thoughtful attention, but they don’t always mean testosterone treatment is necessary.

Understanding your symptoms, reviewing your overall health, and discussing the available evidence can help you make informed decisions about hormone care.

If you’re interested in testosterone therapy for women near Chevy Chase, MD, Potomac Medical Aesthetics offers consultations to discuss hormone-related concerns and available services.

To learn more, explore EVEXIAS hormone therapy or call 301-250-1196 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peter Petropoulos.

Potomac Medical Aesthetics
7811 Montrose Road, Suite 310
Potomac, MD 20854