Testosterone 

Testosterone is like the body’s motivational speaker—it boosts muscle, sparks desire, fuels energy, and keeps bones party-ready. In men, it’s the main driver behind deeper voices, facial hair, and all things “Macho Man.”

But women need it, too! In the female body, testosterone supports sex drive, energy, mood, muscle tone, and even cognitive function. Not enough, and the symphony of feeling fantastic goes out of tune.

Low testosterone can be a sneaky saboteur. Causes range from Father Time (aging), poor sleep, obesity, diabetes, chronic illnesses, certain medications (like steroids or opioids), and for women, perimenopause or menopause.
Symptoms in men can look like:

• “Battery low”: fatigue, poor motivation, low drive

• “Deflated balloon”: muscle loss, weight gain, weaker erections, low libido

Women might notice:

• “Blah” mood, brain fog, low sex drive, poor muscle and bone strength, stubborn weight, stalled progress

Testosterone, like the WiFi signal at your favorite café, gradually weakens with age.

• In men, levels peak in late teens and early 20s, then drift downward—about 1% per year from age 30 onward. 

• In women, the slow fade starts in their 20s, with a sharper dip post-menopause (when the ovaries retire)—but some is still made by the adrenal glands for those “spice of life” moments. 

• Certain conditions (obesity, diabetes, pituitary problems, chemotherapy, and even too much stress) can zap levels at any age.

Think of testosterone as the body’s “get up and go” hormone. Want more desire, memory, zippy energy, motivation, or that “let’s conquer the day” feeling? Testosterone’s your backstage pass.

• Low levels often mean a lagging libido, daily fatigue, down moods, and fuzzy thinking for all genders.

• Restoring testosterone to healthy levels can be a serious “life reboot”—but only if you truly need it.

In the right person (with proven deficiency), yes! Testosterone therapy can boost muscle mass, reverse fatigue, stoke sexual desire, and—if you’re a man—improve erections.

For women with low testosterone, therapy can reset the dial on energy and libido, especially after menopause. 
BUT—if your testosterone is normal, adding more doesn’t help and might be harmful. Think “Goldilocks”: not too much, not too little, just right.

Simple blood test—ideally drawn by 10am when levels are naturally highest (especially in men). In men, two separate low readings, often alongside symptoms, is the best way to confirm the diagnosis.

In women, testing is mostly for unexplained fatigue/low libido—levels must be interpreted carefully.

Testing is best done when you’re well-rested, healthy, and off acute meds that can interfere.

A few quick wins via lifestyle hacks

• Lift heavy things (resistance training boosts T naturally)

• Choose whole foods (deficiencies in zinc, vitamin D, or protein can drop T)

• Sleep more (less than 6 hours? Your T will tank)

• Chill out (stress raises cortisol, which puts the brakes on T)

• Lose excess weight (especially visceral fat)

Heard the hype about testosterone-boosting supplements?

Let’s sift through the science:

Ashwagandha:
In multiple studies (mostly in men), ashwagandha supplements increased testosterone levels by about 14–18% after 8–12 weeks—especially in men with low or borderline T, those under stress, or those resistance training. However, in women, ashwagandha improved well-being and menopause symptoms but did not consistently boost testosterone. Translation: Ashwagandha is a gentle “T-tickler” for men, but it’s no miracle for women. 

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium):
Legendary in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but human trials are thin. Most of the buzz comes from animal or test-tube studies: the active ingredient (icariin) may increase testosterone or androgen precursors and improve erectile function via increased blood flow. Human studies show potential for sexual benefit, but there’s no robust evidence it cranks testosterone up in men or women. 

Tribulus Terrestris:
The most famous “testosterone booster” in the gym—yet, under the scientific spotlight, it fizzles. Systematic reviews and clinical trials find that Tribulus may help with sexual function and mild erectile dysfunction, but has little to no meaningful effect on testosterone—unless the person started out with low baseline levels, and even then, the increase is small (about 60–70 ng/dL). In women, some trials report improved sexual function, but not higher testosterone. 

Bottom Line:

• Ashwagandha: Can modestly boost T in men, but the data in women don’t support a testosterone lift.

• Horny Goat Weed: Sexy lore, some animal promise, but little human proof for raising T.

• Tribulus: Might help with sexual function, but not a true “testosterone booster.”

Benefits:

• Revamps energy, libido, bone density, muscle, and mood in people with true deficiency.

• For women: can safely restore sexual function when prescribed in physiologic doses after menopause.
   

Risks:

• Acne, hair loss, mood swings, infertility (by halting sperm/egg production), enlarged prostate, and possible heart, liver, or clot risks. In women, excess T can cause unwanted hair, voice changes, and worsen cholesterol.

Too much testosterone is not better—think “balance,” not “bodybuilder.” 

If you’ve got classic symptoms and your bloodwork backs it up, we’ve got you covered. At Gravity, testosterone therapy is personalized, precisely dosed, and closely monitored—never cookie-cutter.

If your levels are normal? We’ll dig into the real root cause of your symptoms and start with natural strategies that support your whole system. No sketchy online clinics. No one-size-fits-all protocols. No guesswork.

The best results come from the right hormone, at the right dose, for the right person.