What does testosterone do to women’s brains?

#testosterone #womenshealth #mentalhealthmatters

Testosterone has many affects on your brain! Learn the specific effects on women from Dr. Kaveh.

0:00 - A woman's emergence delirium story
2:42 - Testosterone's brain effects
3:26 - Stress and inflammatory effects of testosterone
4:02 - Testosterone balance in women
5:00 - Studies of testosterone balancing in women
5:45 - Risks of too much testosterone
6:37 - Variation of response in women
7:31 - Low testosterone in men
8:38 - Testosterone in my patient
9:05 - Testosterone myths in women
11:24 - What should you do with your doctor?

I'll show you how testosterone can influence women’s health, mental well-being, and overall life balance. We'll look at the startling case of a young woman who woke from anesthesia in an extremely aggressive state, an event that led to deeper inquiries about her unprescribed testosterone use. By exploring the role of testosterone as a critical neurosteroid, you will learn how it supports cognitive function, stress response, and emotional regulation, and why imbalances may contribute to conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to borderline personality disorder and potential autism risks. Through real patient encounters and scientific references, I illustrate how both high and low testosterone can profoundly affect mood, memory, and energy levels, while also showing that balanced levels may alleviate fatigue and foster a stronger sense of well-being. The discussion highlights the importance of working with qualified healthcare providers to assess hormone levels rather than resorting to guesswork or unmonitored treatments, which can lead to harmful side effects and misconceptions about testosterone therapy. By shedding light on this often-overlooked aspect of women’s healthcare, I hope to empower you with a clearer understanding of hormone balance, inspire proactive discussions with doctors, and ultimately encourage safer, more effective approaches to mental health and overall wellness.

References:

This video/speech/channel DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. Patients with medical concerns should contact their physician. If your concern is an emergency, immediately call 911. This information is not a recommendation for ANY THERAPY. Some substances referenced in this content may be illegal, and this content is not a recommendation for, or endorsement of, their use in any way.

[pondypond]

I had my very small amount of transdermal testosterone prescribed by a menopause specialist and my GP threw a fit telling me it was steroids and he would never prescribe it for me. I am still having it prescribed by the specialist and it has made a HUGE difference to my levels of energy and mental health. I went down on my antidepressants one step already.

[dnhacademic]

I was struggling with menopause changes years ago. I went to a female OBGYN per a friend suggestion to inquire about supplemental testosterone. She got frantic and said no telling me I would grow a penis if I took testosterone as a women. She literally told me I would grow a penis! That’s a quote. I just rolled my eyes at her and left.

[drironmom]

I’m a 69 yo female MD. I have been on a balanced regimen of testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and natural desiccated thyroid since a hysterectomy in my 40’s. I was able to stop the antidepressant I’d been on for 10 years.
Almost 3 decades later, I still feel great and have more energy with testosterone; estrogen alone is not enough.
I prescribe these to my patients as well.

[erikkasepiphany]

I’m 39 years old. I was diagnosed with severe anemia and had to have 4 iron infusions. My memory didn’t improve nor did my energy levels improve once my anemia was resolved. It wasn’t until my hormones were tested that I found out that I was low in testosterone. I got prescribed testosterone cream, and it was like someone turned the lights back on in my brain. 🧠 My cognitive function improved, memory, and energy levels increased, I feel like a new person. I will warn though as someone with a history of anxiety and depression, the first two weeks of being on it were rough. I had mood swings, sadness and paranoia, but once my body adjusted these bad symptoms went away and I was left feeling amazing. I’m glad I stuck it out.

[kaiotikworld]

Man you could probably describe the whole history of WWII and make it sound as pleasant as walking through a field of sunflowers. So calming and pleasant! Wish all doctors were like you. Nice, sincere, helpful, and informative. Thank you Doc!

[itsallgood]

In my twenties, now in my 60's, when I went to an endocrinologist just because I needed a doctor in my insurance said this one's available. He told me I had high levels of testosterone. Years before that I underwent knee surgery big time knee surgery and I woke up from the anesthesia violently and they couldn't give me any more medication they told my parents.. since then I would tell the doctors I get a violent reaction under anesthesia and they correct the medicine so I've never had to experience the pain and the agony physically and mentally and emotionally ever again.

[drbryanjick]

Speaking as a 38-years practicing Board-Certified Ob/Gyn and Certified Menopause specialist, I wish to thank you for this high-quality well-done video. I knew much of what you presented but learned a lot too! Hormone balance is important but there is NO definition of what this really means. Hormone levels change moment to moment, change with patient age, health status, other meds and supplements, numerous factors. The art of medicine is to take a careful patient medical history including hormonal symptoms, severity, impact on quality of life, and changes over time. Combine that with blood tests and patient goals and determine a treatment plan that the doctor and patient both agree on. Then re-evaluate, re-evaluate, re-evaluate!

[christinaanderson]

So I am a female and I’ve never had testosterone hormone levels checked. But I did hit menopause at age 42 or perimenopause. I think it’s called. I suffered greatly from hot flashes day and night and suffered for over 10 years before I could get my doctor to give me estrogen for it. And I even researched it and told her what I needed and how I needed it. I could’ve been treated so much earlier than that and yet she refused. I think the reason why most people give up is because doctors are biased about their belief and doesn’t consider The patient enough. And as soon as I started the estrogen treatment which is only half of .05 pill a day I immediately stopped having hot flashes.

[SwearMY]

Holy crap. Could low testosterone being causing my unrelenting depression. (It was more or less controlled until my hysterectomy.) No one has ever mentioned that to me. NO DOCTOR HAS EVER TALKED TO ME ABOUT HORMONES of any type. When I asked about hormone replacement, the doctor just acted like she didn't hear me - multiple times.

[jacquelynallen]

It took 18 years to find a OB/GYN to provide HRT. Because I could find no one to help me, I suffered physical and emotional pain going thru early menopause. Hard to believe so many doctors gave excuses that hrt leads to breast cancer. I don’t need T replacement but I needed to balance out estrogen. When I did find someone to listen to me, My new doctor, checked my labs and prescribed progesterone, and estrogen patch. I take a pill to reduce testosterone. I tell you, I finally feel like myself again. The symptoms of menopause have subsided. It’s a really good feeling. I encourage anyone going through this, ask your gf’s for a referral to their doctor. Keep trying. Keep telling your doctors your symptoms. Someone will listen! Our country just doesn’t have enough doctors who understand it. So keep trying.

[KatieDe_G]

Recovering Addict here: I am 100% honest with my doctors about my past drug abuse (almost 8 years clean) and the fact that I am on suboxone (prescribed) now. It's incredibly important for anesthesia, especially.

[natahliak]

I remember getting exteamly painful joints and fatigue, low sex drive for months.
My dr discovered that my testosterone was virtually non-existent.
I was then given a high dose injection.
Thankfully, this resolved my issues, but my testosterone levels are still quite high atm.
I will be having a laparoscopy next week, and I wouldn't have thought to mention this to my anesthetist, so thank you for this video.

[Allisoninspirations]

Im on hormone replacement therapy. Progesterone, testosterone and estrogen. It has helped me so much! Im 48 years old. I see a specialist for my hormones

[mycozygardencottage]

I recently went to a Dr on the recommendation of a friend who is taking hormones. She said she feels so much better since starting them and she learned that it does not cause breast cancer as was believed in the past. I was having some menopause related problems and so I went to him just to get checked out and make sure everything was ok. I had blood work that all came out fine, except that my hormones are negligible. I'm producing very little hormones. I talked to him about replacement therapy and he told me that they are safe for women of any age and are really helpful. In our conversation, I told him I think it's great that he offers this when so many doctors are still promoting false information based on old or misleading studies. He said the thing he worries about most is that the medical board will come after him for prescribing them. Things like this are exactly why people are saying the health "care" system is broken and don't trust it.

[javaskull]

Aged 64, and I started HRT last year hoping to counter the crippling brain fog that was impacting my work. I also hoped it would lift my energy levels. I’ve been getting implants of estrogen and testosterone, and taking progesterone gelcaps. I am stunned by the dramatic turnaround! It’s wonderful to get me back again.

[carolapersoon]

After having hot flashes for 8 years, i got fed up of not being able to sleep and sweat dripping everywhere on drinking coffee, alcohol or eating sugars.
My md gave me a prescription for estadiol immediately. The got flashes went away adter 2 months. But the most important was that after only 3 days i noticed the disapearance of fear. A backgorund level of anxiety had been so long there that i took it as normal. And after only 3 days it was gone.

[suebissell]

I wish more doctors were as concerned as you. I just had a minor heart procedure, and everyone was in too big of a hurry to explain anything past me telling them I was very anxious. Answer you will be fine. And meds pushed, out! All were very nice, just no time to explain like you do. But all came out ok. Pretty much healed. Oh, by the I am a senior and think that had something to do with it.

[midnight]

PTSD & my daily normalpain, didn't know that could cause waking up wanting to fight. I remember the bright lights, looking like in a basement, surrounded by people in masks, and a lot more pain than normal. People were trying to hold me down. Kicking in my freak out till I get away. Having a mask put on my face, having my arms and legs strapped down. Waking up again in my hospital room. The nurse said the bruises on my arms and legs would fad. I had to be strapped down due to a bad reaction during surgery. No one had asked anything more than medications and nothing else. The fact that they let me eat before surgery was a big not supposed to as well. She also informed me because of it, several people were going on vacation without pay. It was the 1st time I woke up during surgery. 2nd time they couldn't knock me out for longer than 5 minutes. 3rd surgery, someone didn't know the doctor was doing 2 different areas, so only 1 was knumb before he started the surgery. After that it took a lot to put me asleep and keep me there. I think I'll pass on surgeries ever again.

[robtooley]

You asked if any of us have been given meds as a sort of "shut up" without a full analysis. I had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including a family history where 75% of my nearest relatives have hypothyroidism. My blood work was barely normal so dr put me on synthroid. And kept me on that dose for years. I finally was feeling so bad, I paid out of pocket for my own full range of tests and had the results sent to an endocrinologist who confirmed I have Hashimoto's and QUINTUPLED my dose saying my prior dose was pretty much a placebo. My endocrinologist tested me every few months in the beginning to adjust my meds and now that I'm pretty stable we do about once every 6 mos. But she did a battery of other tests too and found I was also insulin resistant and has helped on that too.

I've had a lot of doctors just treat me like I just have to get used to feeling bad all the time so I really appreciate her. She's not super friendly, just matter of fact, and so not judgemental either, so her temperament really suits me.

[ayliea]

I'm a 65 year old woman, a recent breast cancer survivor. I've experienced drastic sarcopenia as a result of cancer and cancer treatments. The muscle loss is proving to be the cause of frequent injuries. My holistic physician prescribed topical testosterone for me several months ago. While the prescription reads use daily, admittedly, I only remember to apply it as prescribed to the calves of my legs about 3x weekly. The muscle growth I'm experiencing is slow but I am gaining strength. I also make an effort to eat enough protein, to exercise daily and lift weights at the gym 2x a week. So far I've experienced no negative effects and the positive effects that could be attributed to the testosterone supplementation is modest. I intend to continue using testosterone.