Q: What is the history of testosterone therapy in the United States?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Health professionals in the United States have prescribed testosterone therapy as far back as the late 1930s. In women, the adrenal glands and ovaries produce testosterone.
Q: Why has the perception of testosterone therapy changed over the past decade?
Marla Ahlgrimm: With further recognition of the benefits of testosterone in women, support for this therapy have continued to grow. Researchers are beginning to discard long-held notions in the medical community about the usage of hormones. Tens of thousands of American women have begun to achieve promising results from testosterone therapy prescribed by their physicians.
Q: What are the most prominent symptoms of testosterone deficiency in women?
Marla Ahlgrimm: In a recent report released by the Journal of Women’s Health, researchers determined that testosterone deficiency may be a predictive factor for heart disease in some women, more specifically those who are aging or who have had a hysterectomy.
Q: What is the appropriate level of testosterone in the female body?
Marla Ahlgrimm: The National Institutes of Health states that a female’s testosterone should be between 30 to 95 nanograms per deciliter. In order to determine the appropriate dosage of testosterone, physicians typically measure testosterone levels in the saliva or blood. Other physicians make their choices based on the specific symptoms. Levels may vary depending on the time of month, so consistent consultation from a physician is necessary for women to select the right course of action.
Q: How can testosterone improve a woman’s overall health?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Besides the sexual and psychological effects, an appropriate amount of testosterone can play a vital part in allowing women to maintain health. Plus, testosterone helps build muscles and bones, which is a critical factor for women as they approach middle age.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,