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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on May 19, 2005, at 19:53:22
Okay so as I understand it, as men get older their testosterone levels may get a little lower and this can bring on depression. But even so, their testosterone levels are many, many times higher than women's.
So why is it that women aren't always depressed if their testosterone is so low?? Are the female hormones that men are lacking (estrogen? progesterone?) responsible for brightening mood as well?
Posted by iforgotmypassword on May 19, 2005, at 20:17:09
In reply to Why are females (low testosterone) not depressed?, posted by cybercafe on May 19, 2005, at 19:53:22
i'm not certain but don't a lot post-menopausal women note mood-improving qualities to estrogen replacement therapy? i think progesterone can sometimes actually cause mood problems but that may just be with synthetic progestins.
i take hormone replacement therapy because of gender identity issues and i notice that i feel crummier when i forget to take my estrogen. i don't know if this gives any clues.
Posted by jay on May 19, 2005, at 20:29:11
In reply to Why are females (low testosterone) not depressed?, posted by cybercafe on May 19, 2005, at 19:53:22
Women are sometimes prescribed Testosterone replacement therapy in menopause as well. It depends on the proper ratio of hormones. Too much testosterone and a woman starts to grow hair on her face and become aggressive.
Best,
Jay
Posted by Ktemene on May 21, 2005, at 9:37:53
In reply to Why are females (low testosterone) not depressed?, posted by cybercafe on May 19, 2005, at 19:53:22
Actually women do sometimes get depressed if their testosterone level is below a woman's normal level. My doctor tested my testosterone level, and it was below normal (for a woman) and the doctor thinks it probably was contributing to my fatigue and depression.
I think the answer to the question of why women aren't always depressed since their testosterone level is always low compared to men's is just another case of the general rule 'Your Mileage May Vary'. Testosterone is just one of hundreds of chemicals in the body that can influence mood. Women have their own hormones and can be happy and healthy with those- providing there isn't some other problem. In fact, considering some of the things that high levels of testosterone can do, we can be very happy that we don't have a lot of testosterone ;)
> Okay so as I understand it, as men get older their testosterone levels may get a little lower and this can bring on depression. But even so, their testosterone levels are many, many times higher than women's.
>
> So why is it that women aren't always depressed if their testosterone is so low?? Are the female hormones that men are lacking (estrogen? progesterone?) responsible for brightening mood as well?
Posted by cybercafe on May 21, 2005, at 12:11:18
In reply to Re: Why are females (low testosterone) not depress » cybercafe, posted by Ktemene on May 21, 2005, at 9:37:53
> Actually women do sometimes get depressed if their testosterone level is below a woman's normal level. My doctor tested my testosterone level, and it was below normal (for a woman) and the doctor thinks it probably was contributing to my fatigue and depression.
>
> I think the answer to the question of why women aren't always depressed since their testosterone level is always low compared to men's is just another case of the general rule 'Your Mileage May Vary'. Testosterone is just one of hundreds of chemicals in the body that can influence mood. Women have their own hormones and can be happy and healthy with those- providing there isn't some other problem. In fact, considering some of the things that high levels of testosterone can do, we can be very happy that we don't have a lot of testosterone ;)Amen. Though I notice a lot of women are willing to pick fights with me if they have consumed enough alcohol -- and people tell me I look very muscular ???
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