In This Article
In This Article
Testosterone is a hormone mostly associated with males. However, testosterone in women is normal. They need it for their bodies to function properly.
It plays a role in the female body and affects:
Testosterone and estrogen are vital for reproductive health. Estrogen is a vital female hormone.
Like men, some women have more testosterone than others. And like men, some choose to supplement testosterone if they don’t have enough. Women balance their hormones if their bodies have too much testosterone.
What should you know about testosterone in women’s bodies?
Testosterone gets a bad rap in many cases. People think it’s related to aggression or rage, but this isn’t true. It is linked with masculinity.
Aggressive behavior is related to high testosterone levels. This happens with abuse of testosterone supplements.
Healthy levels of testosterone play a role in:
However, testosterone levels tend to fluctuate throughout a person’s life.
Men with low testosterone lack many of the standard male characteristics. Women with too much testosterone develop male characteristics.
Everyone has testosterone. The hormone plays an important role in development during puberty.
Testosterone is responsible for body changes during puberty. Both boys and girls experience a surge of testosterone during adolescence. This lasts into young adulthood.
It supports secondary female sex characteristics development. These include breast development and vocal changes.
Female bodies do not respond to testosterone the same way male bodies do. In most cases, their testosterone is converted to estrogen. If it isn't converted, females might develop male characteristics. A great example is developing facial hair.
Male and female bodies continue to produce testosterone as they age. In both cases, the production decreases as they age.
Male and female bodies produce different amounts of testosterone. Women’s bodies make about 1/10th-1/20th of the testosterone found in male bodies.
Women have higher levels of estrogen. Men, on one hand, have higher levels of testosterone.
There is also a difference in where testosterone is produced. In men, testosterone is produced in the testes. In women, it's in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and skin and fat cells.
Testosterone provides a variety of benefits for men and women. In both sexes, hormonal balance is an indication of good health.
When testosterone levels are too high in men, it’s rarely a problem. In women, too high testosterone levels can wreak havoc.
Women with elevated testosterone levels develop are at risk of:
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have high testosterone levels.
Testosterone is important in women’s bodies because it supports:
What Happens if a Woman’s Body Doesn’t Produce Enough Testosterone?
Unbalanced hormones harm health. However, testosterone replacement therapy can help. It could be as effective for women as it is for men. It can help maintain healthy testosterone levels.
TRT has several benefits. These include:
Testosterone plays a role in heart health. Low testosterone increases the risk of heart health issues.
Studies show that TRT boost healthy red blood cell production. It also reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease.
However, these benefits mostly apply to men. Further studies are needed to prove that these also apply to women.
Testosterone is linked to increased muscle mass in both women and men. Having more lean muscle mass makes controlling your weight easier.
Furthermore, it increases energy levels. Testosterone replacement therapy ensures a strong and healthy body.
Low testosterone levels increase a person’s risk of osteoporosis. Testosterone replacement therapy improves bone mineral density. This is evident in the spine and hips.
Those transitioning from female to male show improved bone density with TRT.
Men with healthy testosterone levels have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Testosterone is also linked to:
So far, this benefit applies to men. Researchers speculate it likely affects women in the same way.
It promotes sexual arousal and activity. This is one of the greatest benefits of TRT.
It boosts female libido. It does the same for men, too.
Women and men with insufficient testosterone experience:
Supplementing testosterone:
If you’re feeling off, it might be due to low testosterone levels. Creating balance can impact your quality of life.
Testosterone replacement therapy is a medical treatment. Like all medical treatments, it poses risks. It’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Consider how supplementing testosterone will affect you.
In some cases, this is a treatment that might not be an option for you. This is true if you have issues with blood clotting.
Other general risks linked with testosterone replacement therapy include:
Speak to your doctor if:
