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Regardless of your age, growth hormone (hGH) plays an important role in metabolism. In adults, GH is an anabolic hormone for muscles but also helps your body burn fat and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Since women naturally have higher body fat percentages compared to men, maintaining adequate GH levels is especially beneficial. The hormone is normally produced by the pituitary gland in pulses, primarily during sleep or when fasting
Consequently, the peak growth hormone levels are typically reached in the second half of the night, making sleep quality essential for optimal hormonal balance.
Interestingly, females typically produce higher levels of hGH compared to males, largely due to the influence of estrogen. Specifically, estrogen counteracts some of the anabolic effects of the hormone, so the pituitary gland needs to produce more hGH to account for it.
According to a 2016 study, this gender difference in GH production persists until approximately age 50. After menopause, hormonal changes dramatically reduce GH secretion in women by about 80% by age 65. This often has a negative effect on the overall hormone balance.
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) also influences GH levels; a higher BMI generally corresponds to lower GH production.
The normal range of GH levels for adult women, as established by the University of California, is between 1 and 14 ng/mL (44 to 616 pmol/L).
GH deficiency in women can arise from various health issues and should be addressed promptly. It is crucial to consult with a specialized healthcare provider to properly diagnose and effectively treat this condition.
In the following sections, we will outline the symptoms, causes, and available treatment plans for GH deficiency in women.
If you’re interested in personalized guidance or want to understand the potential benefits of GH therapy, click the button below to schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists.
Our clinic and specialized doctors can answer any questions you may have about the female hormone deficiency diagnosis and hGH therapy for women.
Growth Hormone Deficiency in Women
The most common adult growth hormone deficiency symptoms in females include:
- Abdominal weight gain
- Anxiety
- Depression and reduced mental clarity
- Neuromuscular dysfunction
- Decreased muscle mass and muscle repair
- Lower energy levels and a feeling of lethargy
- Sexual dysfunction and loss of libido
- Reduced exercise capacity
- Decreased insulin sensitivity
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Reduced strength
- Loss of muscle mass
- Reduced bone density
- Cognitive issues
- Reduced quality of life
Genetics may contribute to GH deficiency in some women. However, many cases result from pituitary adenomas (benign tumors) and treatments like surgery or radiation therapy.
Additionally, recent research indicates that GH deficiency may also occur in athletes involved in contact sports, such as rugby, boxing, and basketball, due to severe head injuries.
How to Diagnose Growth Hormone Deficiency in Women
If GH deficiency is suspected based on physical examination and symptoms, your doctor will request specific blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests primarily measure insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and GH levels.
If a diagnosis is confirmed, a specialized endocrinologist will determine the appropriate treatment, including dosage and duration. The only legal and safe method of obtaining a prescription for hormone replacement therapy is through direct consultation and proper medical testing by an endocrinologist.
Treatment for Growth Hormone Deficiency in Women
Currently, the only effective treatment for GH deficiency is via human growth hormone injections, usually administered subcutaneously (under the skin) before bedtime.
While the internet offers many alternative growth hormone therapies, such as pills, homeopathic hGH gels, bioidentical hormone therapy, or supplements claiming to boost hGH levels, these products do not contain natural growth hormone and lack scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.
On the other hand, human growth hormone injections have well-studied clinical benefits and side effects. Based on that data, they are the only FDA-approved treatment for GHD. It is also used for the treatment of children with GHD.
What to Expect During HGH Therapy for Women
After initiating hGH therapy, women usually notice improvements over time, including fewer mood swings, increased lean body mass, reduced body fat mass, improved cholesterol profiles, and better cardiovascular markers.
Short-term side effects typically include water retention and joint pain. However, it’s crucial to avoid excessive human growth hormone doses to prevent potential complications like acromegaly, a condition characterized by abnormal tissue growth, insulin resistance, cardiovascular problems, and skeletal abnormalities.
Additionally, research indicates that higher human growth hormone doses may increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
Therefore, our doctors are specialized in human growth hormone treatment for women to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your therapy. They are the ones who can create a comprehensive treatment plan and decide how much HGH to take.
Typical human growth hormone dosage recommendations for women are:
- Ages 18–30: 0.4–0.5 mg/day
- Ages 30–60: 0.2–0.3 mg/day
- Ages over 60 or diabetic patients: 0.1–0.2 mg/day
Your physician will personalize your human growth hormone therapy, gradually adjusting doses according to your body’s response and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) levels. IGF-1 is an anabolic mediator for hGH.
Regular medical follow-up every six months is essential to monitor IGF-1 levels and other metabolic factors such as cholesterol and blood glucose, ensuring both safety and effectiveness throughout treatment.
Benefits of HGH for Women
HGH therapy is individually tailored according to your body’s response and clinical needs. Doctors gradually adjust your dosage based on periodic IGF-1 blood tests, aiming typically for the upper half of the normal range for your age and gender.
Treatment follow-up is crucial, and our clinic emphasizes the importance of ongoing medical supervision.
The marker that is used to adjust the dose of growth hormone is IGF-1 which we measure through a blood test
Usually, physicians aim to reach the upper half of the normal range, considering the gender and age of the patient, except for cases where side effects occur.
Afterward, during the process of follow-up, which happens every 6 months, we monitor the GH levels by measuring IGF-1 and some metabolic factors like cholesterol levels, glucose levels, etc.
As mentioned above, there are plenty of benefits of HGH for women. However, the results timeline depends on the organ systems that we evaluate and, in some cases, need more than 6 months to be noticed.
Some of the most desirable benefits of human growth hormone therapy, such as increased lean muscle mass and fat reduction, may become noticeable within three months.
Other benefits, particularly improved bone mineral density, may take 6–12 months to be clearly evident and can continue improving even after treatment concludes. Some also report benefits for women seeking improved mood, accelerated healing, and improvements in sleep.