Would you believe that a woman’s sex drive (libido) starts going down naturally between the ages of 30 to33? It’s true, although we treat young newlyweds for the same problem. The hormone in question? Testosterone. There are several other hormones involved (estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA), but the biggest culprit is definitely testosterone. A man’s testosterone starts going down in his mid to late forties. Seems somewhat odd, doesn't it—her hormones head south 10 to 15 years before her husbands.

If the truth be known, a woman’s testosterone should not diminish when she is in her thirties. There are a myriad of reasons why they diminish (hormones in beef and chicken, medications, stress, pollution, previous use of birth control pills, the cleaning chemicals under your kitchen sink....), so we have to make up the difference with replacing them with bio-identical testosterone. Very small amounts of this hormone are used. Many women fear that they will start “growing a beard” or getting big muscles if they take testosterone. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bio-identical testosterone is safe and effective in restoring the lost sex drive in women and men, without the mentioned side affects.

Although a woman has only a small amount of testosterone when compared to a man, it is extremely important for women. Men who are low in testosterone generally lack initiative, are moody, grumpier, and have a low libido. They also tend to gain weight more easily around the middle (the proverbial “beer belly”).

Women low in this hormone will ten to be “flabby” instead of muscular, will be more prone to thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), and will have little to no interest in sex. In general, men and women low in testosterone tend to become much more passive about everything—they lack the drive or assertiveness they had when they were younger.

Raising testosterone levels in women and men brings back muscle tone, sex drive, and general vigor and vitality overall. We call it the “hormone of enthusiasm”. In Italy, they call it the “Passion Hormone.” Take your pick. Either one will improve your outlook on life.