Eps. 21 | Testosterone Isn’t Just for Men: Energy, Strength, Mood & Drive

Testosterone is often talked about as a “male hormone,” but it plays an important role in women’s health too.

In this episode of EmpowerND, Crystal is joined again by Megan Gietzen, FNP, for the final conversation in our hormone mini-series. Together, they talk about how testosterone can impact women’s energy, strength, mood, motivation, libido, and overall sense of well-being. They also discuss common signs that hormones may be out of balance, why symptoms are sometimes overlooked, and why women deserve to feel heard when something feels off in their body.

At Women Empowering Women, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools we can offer. The EmpowerND Podcast was created to bring real, approachable conversations about health, wellness, family, and community resources to the people of western North Dakota and beyond. Our goal is to help listeners feel more informed, more confident asking questions, and less alone in the things they may be experiencing.

Learn more at wewnetwork.org

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please visit with your healthcare provider about your individual health needs.

The EmpowerND Podcast is hosted by Women Empowering Women, a membership based non-profit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and educating women. Through community, events, and resources, Women Empowering Women helps women grow, build confidence, and explore their potential, supporting them every step of the way as they become the best version of themselves. To learn more about Women Empowering Women’s projects or how to become a member, visit wewnetwork.org.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome back to Empower Indie Podcast. This podcast creates a space for honest conversations about health, well-being, and community resources to help people in southwestern North Dakota live healthy, equal lives. The Empower Indie Podcast is produced by Women Empowering Women, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and educating women to help them become the best versions of themselves. To become a member or learn more, visit WEW network.org. Today we're talking about a hormone that doesn't always get included in the conversation around women's health, and that's testosterone. A lot of people think of testosterone as a male hormone, but it actually plays a really important role in women's bodies too. It impacts things like energy, motivation, confidence, muscle strength, and even libido. And when levels are off, women might notice changes that don't always get immediately connected back to hormones, like feeling more fatigued, less driven, or just not quite like themselves. So today we're breaking down what testosterone does in the female body, how it works alongside other hormones, and what it can look like when levels are too low or out of balance. Today we're joined by Megan. Let's get started. So to start, can you explain what testosterone is and its role in women's bodies?

SPEAKER_01 1:18

So testosterone is like our drive, you know. So it it helps us, it helps us get up in the morning, it helps us go, it keeps us motivated, um, and as well as helping with our moods. It helps um kind of give us like an even keel on things, um, calms us down a little bit, and then also helps with libido and all those fun things.

SPEAKER_00 1:39

So, how does testosterone levels naturally change throughout a woman's life?

SPEAKER_01 1:42

So they they're pretty steady for the most part. They do rise and fall, like a little bit like estrogen does. Um, but it they're pretty steady through our life and then of course peaks around like 40 years old in women, um, and then det or tends to decline after that.

SPEAKER_00 1:57

Okay. How does testosterone influence energy levels in day-to-day life?

SPEAKER_01 2:02

Yeah, so it's, I mean, that's where our umph comes from. That's where that's where our drive and motivation um comes from. So when when women are coming to me with that, with a lack of that, I'm thinking right off the bat estrogen and testosterone.

SPEAKER_00 2:14

Do you see a correlation in testosterone levels and confidence?

SPEAKER_01 2:18

Absolutely. I mean, and and there is a neuromechanism for testosterone. Testosterone does work in our brains to help with that confidence. Um, and so it does, it gives us the the um motivation and that drive. And that's where I think our confidence comes from.

SPEAKER_00 2:34

Then how does it affect libido and sexual health health?

SPEAKER_01 2:38

Yeah, well, when it's low, right? We just don't have that desire and that um to go. So um, so and then of course our confidence then declines with that as well, and we don't feel as great of it as our bodies, right? And then that will, of course, affect the way that we are intimate with our partners and um how we feel about ourselves. So I mean it's there is a direct correlation with both of them.

SPEAKER_00 2:58

And then does it play a role in metabolism or body composition as well?

SPEAKER_01 3:02

It does. So it helps a lot with muscles, right? So it helps build muscles. Um, it helps kind of keep us leaner or on the leaner side. Um, and so I do find that I when I put that on a on a patient's or woman's regimen, um, that they do recover from their workouts a lot faster. Um, and then they are building a little bit more muscle with that too, um, which in the long term is just good for metabolic health, regardless, because that does having more muscle obviously increases that basal metabolic rate, um, burns a lot more calories, and um, and you yeah, your your workouts mean something.

SPEAKER_00 3:35

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:36

And it gives you a little bit more strength and are able to kind of make more progress with power, and especially with like strength training and resistance, you know, the we're not gonna build those muscles to protect our bones unless we are lifting heavier, and that's kind of where that comes into play.

SPEAKER_00 3:52

So when testosterone levels are balanced, what might women notice?

SPEAKER_01 3:56

Um, yeah, just that even kilter, like just feeling good, you know, and and like steady levels. Right. They have that motivation, they have that that drive to get things done that they maybe didn't have before. Um, and also just like the intimacy with their family. I find I had a um when I first started in hormones, I remember I had a woman who was perimenopause, but she went through a hysterectomy. Her testosterone levels were barely on the charts. I mean, her adrenals basically basically had taken over at that point. Um, and she was telling me that like she just didn't care if her family touched her, if she gave if she gave hugs or kisses to her kids, and her kids are still pretty young.

SPEAKER_00 4:36

Right.

SPEAKER_01 4:36

Um, and that's obviously a big deal in a woman's life. And we added on a little testosterone. That's all she actually really needed at that time. And that that changed her her whole entire life overnight, really. Um, and so it does, it plays a bigger role in how we um how how compassionate we are and how lovable we are. And I don't think, yeah, we just don't give it enough attention in that realm.

SPEAKER_00 4:58

What does the test or testosterone level do during perimenopause and menopause?

SPEAKER_01 5:03

Yeah, it starts to decline. Yeah, right. So it declines big time. It doesn't, it doesn't necessarily flatline or anything like that, but um it definitely declines. And one of the things that I do wish people knew is that um our levels, right? Like whenever we get our lab level, I think our our normal level is nine to 55. That is such a huge, huge range for women. Um, and I do feel like I mean, women are feel best as far as my clinical studies, right? The the ones that I have done, um, anywhere between like 20s to 40s. So they really love that mid-range right there. So that's optimal. So although you might, if you do get your levels checked, to the the do some research on it or go talk to somebody who does know what they're doing, because um, you know, if you're if your level is nine mold, then you're normal, but no, you're experiencing so much of those symptoms, there's so much room for improvement.

SPEAKER_00 5:56

Yeah. Can stress, lifestyle, or other hormones impact testosterone levels?

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Yeah, yep. Absolutely, absolutely, and and vice versa too. They all they all intertwine together.

SPEAKER_00 6:08

Diet, movement, all of it. Yes. Why do symptoms like low energy, low motivation, and low libido often get overlooked or dismissed?

SPEAKER_01 6:17

I know that kind of makes me so sad. And I think it's just because they are so they're they're broad, right? And there's so many variables and so many things that could be behind the causes of that, of those symptoms, um, which I mean really can go across the board on all of the hormones and all of the symptoms. Um, but yeah, it is it is one of the main things that I treat right off the bat when people are telling me those that they have those symptoms. Right. Um, you know, it goes, I I usually will add on testosterone as a last component. I'll always start with estrogen and progesterone first. And then when they've come in for their follow-up, they're feeling so much better, but they still have just this like lack of drive or motivation. And that's when I'm like, yep, it's time for testosterone. Let's get that on board.

SPEAKER_00 6:58

And I think it's nice for them to see one at a time and what it does for them, and they can recognize those symptoms later on when it's off again. Right, right.

SPEAKER_01 7:08

Well, and uh and a lot of women don't know that testosterone is one of our main hormones, and it is so important in our bodies. Um, and so they hear testosterone and they think, oh no, I don't want to grow a beard. I don't, you know, I don't want to, I don't want to look like a man, I don't want to be a man. Um, but there is there's a lot that we can do before you even get to that level, and that's definitely definitely not the business I'm in. Um, but I still want you to feel like a woman, but it is important to have that at a good physiologic level for what your body is craving and telling you it is craving.

SPEAKER_00 7:39

Yeah. So what are some natural ways that might support healthy testosterone levels?

SPEAKER_01 7:43

Weight management is one of the biggest ones. Um, so when we are a little overweight, our estrogen holds on our fat holds on to estrogen, and then that will decline that testosterone and progesterone as well. Um, so keeping that weight in a healthy level is really important. Um, and then yeah, I mean, all of the other things that we have kind of talked about over the last couple of episodes is definitely sleeping correctly, um, getting in that exercise, getting in the nutrition, um, just supporting your body and what it needs.

SPEAKER_00 8:12

Okay, so such an eye-opening conversation and one that really expands how we think about women's hormones and overall health. Testosterone plays a bigger role than many women realize, and understanding that can help connect the dots when something feels off. Thank you so much for being here and sharing your insight with us today. And to everyone listening, we're so glad you joined us. Until next time, stay informed, stay empowered, and we'll see you on the next Empower Indie Podcast.