When Grayson Smith, a 23-year-old woman from Texas, started feeling sluggish and tired in the afternoon, a blood test said she had low testosterone, a sex hormone traditionally associated with men.
After her healthcare provider suggested she start using a testosterone cream as a supplement, Smith told “Good Morning America” that it was life-changing.
“Now I have so much more energy and love motivation, even when I feel good, it makes me feel like I can do more,” said Smith, who documented her journey on social media. “It changed my life so much.”
Smith is part of a growing trend of women taking testosterone and sharing it on social media, with the hashtags #testosteroneforwomen and #womenttakingtestosterone racking up millions of views.
Grayson Smith, 23, said she started taking testosterone after feeling sluggish and tired.
Grayson Smith
Testosterone is an essential hormone for both men and women and plays an important role in muscle growth and cognitive function. Low levels of the hormone can lead to changes in mood, cognition and decreased libido, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, testosterone levels rise sharply with age and begin to decline around age 30 or 40.
Brenda Anderson, 44, said that when she started feeling tired and out of sorts in July, her doctor recommended she start taking testosterone injections.
Six months later, Anderson, who lives in Utah, said she has noticed a significant change.
“I feel like my energy level is back,” Anderson told “Good Morning America.” “I feel like I can work all day and enjoy my family and enjoy the things I want to do without feeling the high levels of fatigue that I was experiencing.”
Brenda Anderson, 44, shares about her journey with testosterone on TikTok.
@Brendaunfiltered/TikTok
Despite growing interest among women, testosterone is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for women.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has also raised concerns about the safety of testosterone in women, noting that in most cases the hormone should not be prescribed to women under the age of 40.
When used, testosterone should only be taken as a prescription medication under the care of a medical professional.
Dr. Debra Karnasiewicz, a board-certified internist who specializes in women’s care, told “GMA” that she believes the research on testosterone and women is lacking.
“In this particular area, there aren’t enough studies to give us the answers we need so we can prescribe it safely,” Karnasiewicz said, adding that women should first talk to their medical provider to look for any underlying causes of the symptoms they may have. experience, such as fatigue.
“Treatment with testosterone is not the source of youth, and can even be harmful, especially in younger women,” she said. “If you feel tired, testosterone is not the answer. Make an appointment with your doctor and get checked out to see if there is an underlying cause.”
In addition to the lack of research showing the benefits of testosterone for women, taking the hormone can also come with side effects, including unwanted hair growth, acne, liver damage, hair loss and birth defects.
Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant should not use testosterone.