Published August 14, 2015

Struggling to lose weight (especially belly fat) could be about more than how much you exercise or if you enjoy an occasional treat. Testosterone helps regulate the placement of muscle and fat on your body, and a lack of the hormone shifts the balance in favor of fat, especially around your middle.

Despite what Google suggests, having normal testosterone levels doesn't mean you'll suddenly find yourself having threesomes. When you do, it means you'll desire sex regularly and enjoy it. When those levels dip below normal, you may find yourself wanting sex less and less, even though you still desire your partner. When you do have sex, it likely won't be as enjoyable as it used to be, since research shows that low testosterone can affect a woman's ability to have an orgasm.

When your body doesn't make its daily dose, as many women's bodies don't, well, it's not good. Here, 5 signs you might have low testosterone:.

Both women and men who have low levels of testosterone are considered "frail" partially because they can no longer hold a firm handshake.

When you type "testosterone" into Google images, just about every picture that pops up is of men-- beefed-up men at the gym, men clenching their fists with angry faces, and muscle-laden men sitting in bed with two (or more) scantily clad women. Women's bodies don't produce nearly as much testosterone as men's, even the tiny amount you make each day keeps your emotions in check and your body wanting sex. In a study of men and women over the age of 65, scientists found that those with low testosterone easily felt exhausted, weren't able to walk as fast as their peers with normal testosterone levels, and weren't as active. Other research shows that women with prolonged testosterone deficiency are often both more anxious and more depressed than women with normal testosterone levels.

When you type "testosterone" into Google images, just about every picture that pops up is of men-- beefed-up men at the gym, men clenching their fists with angry faces, and muscle-laden men sitting in bed with two (or more) scantily clad women. And it's no surprise that these images show up. Testosterone is widely known as the "male" hormone that gives men their beefy bodies, anger-management problems, and strong sex drives.

While low testosterone likely isn't the sole cause of anyone's depression, research shows it could also have a hand in the disease. In a study of women, ages 25 to 46, those with low testosterone were more likely to be depressed. Other research shows that women with prolonged testosterone deficiency are often both more anxious and more depressed than women with normal testosterone levels.

But not only does low testosterone keep fat on your body, it also affects your ability to build muscle and can even make you lose the muscle you already have. When researchers measured testosterone levels and muscle density in 430 Japanese women, ages 40 to 79, researchers found low testosterone was associated with loss of muscle in their arms and legs over time.

There is currently no sex-drive-boosting drug for women, though that's set to change shortly. Researchers found testosterone supplements can help some women who are deficient, though they're not FDA approved and can cause unwanted side effects like hair growth and possibly even heart trouble (though this is controversial). If your sex drive suddenly goes MIA, talk to your doctor.

In a study of men and women over the age of 65, scientists found that those with low testosterone easily felt exhausted, weren't able to walk as fast as their peers with normal testosterone levels, and weren't as active. Some doctors prescribe not-yet-approved testosterone replacement for women who report having no energy.

Calling testosterone the male hormone does it a bit of a disservice, because women have it, too. Women's bodies don't produce nearly as much testosterone as men's, even the tiny amount you make each day keeps your emotions in check and your body wanting sex.

Research shows that low levels of testosterone can leach strength from your skeleton as well, according to Harvard Health. Both women and men who have low levels of testosterone are considered "frail" partially because they can no longer hold a firm handshake.