February 11, 2025

What Does Testosterone Do in Females? The Truth Most Doctors Won’t Tell You

Testosterone, despite being labeled as the “male hormone,” stands as the most abundant biologically active hormone in women. This surprising fact challenges our common understanding of female hormones and raises the question: what does testosterone do for women?

Testosterone serves a significant role in women’s overall health. The hormone affects everything from libido and mental sharpness to muscle mass and bone strength. Recent NHS data reveals a striking trend – testosterone prescriptions for women over 50 jumped from 429 in November 2015 to 4,675 in November 2022, indicating a growing awareness of the benefits of testosterone for women.

Many healthcare providers often overlook testosterone’s importance in female health. This piece explores how this vital hormone affects women’s health, its natural age-related fluctuations, and potential signs that indicate your levels need attention. We’ll also discuss various options like testosterone cream for women and testosterone pellets for women, as well as the side effects of testosterone in women.

The Hidden Role of Testosterone in Women’s Health

Young women’s ovaries produce about three to four times more testosterone than estrogen each day [1]. This hormone, produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and other tissues, is the life-blood of female health and well-being.

Why females need testosterone

A woman’s body depends on testosterone throughout her life. The ovaries and adrenal glands produce about 0.2–0.25 mg of testosterone daily [2]. On top of that, it shapes sexual differentiation, determines secondary sexual characteristics, and maintains functional states in adulthood [2].

Key functions in the female body

Testosterone’s influence reaches way beyond the reach and influence of reproductive health. Here are the main functions in the female body:

Supports bone and muscle strength
Boosts cognitive function and memory
Regulates mood and energy levels
Maintains healthy libido and sexual function
Improves cardiovascular health
Supports skin health and collagen production

Testosterone is a vital part of metabolic health that improves insulin sensitivity and decreases visceral fat [3]. Research shows it works three times better than estrogen at building new bone tissue [3], highlighting the importance of testosterone for bone health in women.

Optimal testosterone levels for women

Normal testosterone levels change substantially based on age and menopausal status. Healthy levels in premenopausal women typically range from 15-70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) [4]. These levels naturally decline with age, starting from the mid-30s [5].

Total testosterone’s optimal range for premenopausal women lies between 35-60 ng/dL [1]. After menopause, the acceptable range moves to 7-40 ng/dL [6]. Healthcare providers watch these levels closely because proper testosterone balance remains essential for overall well-being and health.

Signs Your Female Testosterone Levels May Be Imbalanced

Women need to watch for both physical and mental changes to spot signs of testosterone imbalance. Blood tests provide the only definitive way to measure testosterone levels [7], but several signs can point to potential imbalances.

Physical symptoms and warning signs

Women with low testosterone might notice changes in their sexual function at first, including reduced sex drive and vaginal dryness [7]. Physical signs often include:

Muscle weakness and loss of tone
Thinning hair and dry, brittle skin
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Irregular menstrual cycles
Sleep disturbances

High testosterone levels can lead to acne, excess facial hair growth, and changes in muscle mass [8]. These are some of the side effects of testosterone in women that need to be monitored.

Emotional and mental health indicators

Testosterone levels have a strong connection to mental health. Research shows that testosterone affects emotional processing, memory, and perception [9]. Women with unbalanced testosterone levels may experience mood swings, anxiety, or depression.

Hormonal transitions make mood swings more noticeable. Research reveals that premenopausal women with depression tend to have higher free testosterone levels [10]. Postmenopausal women’s testosterone levels are typically lower compared to those without depression [9].

Getting professional help

You should see a doctor if symptoms persist. Healthcare providers check for common signs like abnormal facial hair, acne, or changes in muscle tone during examination [8].

Note that these symptoms can look similar to other conditions like thyroid disorders or perimenopause [11]. Medical guidance is vital if you notice multiple symptoms that last over time, especially when they affect your daily life or emotional well-being. This is when testosterone replacement therapy for women might be considered.

Natural Ways to Optimize Female Testosterone

A balanced lifestyle, proper nutrition, and stress management help women maintain optimal testosterone levels. Daily habits and choices play a key role in keeping hormones balanced, including testosterone and other important hormones like progesterone and estrogen.

Lifestyle modifications that affect testosterone

Quality sleep plays a fundamental role in hormone regulation. Studies show that getting less than 8 hours of sleep can lower testosterone levels by 10-15% [12]. Getting consistent sleep is crucial to keep hormones balanced.

Diet and exercise recommendations

Specific nutrients in a balanced diet help produce healthy testosterone. Key nutrients include:

Zinc from oysters, pumpkin seeds, and lean meats
Magnesium found in leafy greens and nuts
Vitamin D through sunlight exposure or supplements
Healthy fats from avocados and olive oil

Research shows resistance training works best to support testosterone levels [13]. Too much cardio might reduce testosterone production [13]. The best results come from weight training 2-3 times weekly [14]. This can act as a natural testosterone booster for women.

Stress management techniques

Cortisol release from chronic stress directly affects testosterone production [15]. High cortisol can decrease testosterone and disrupt muscle mass, sleep quality, and metabolism [16].

These strategies help reduce stress:

Regular meditation or mindfulness practices
Deep breathing exercises
Enjoyable hobbies
Clear boundaries to avoid burnout

Studies show that combining these stress-management methods with good nutrition and exercise helps balance hormone levels [16]. Regular massages and social connections also help reduce hormone imbalances from stress [16].

The Connection Between Female Testosterone and Aging

A woman’s testosterone levels follow a unique pattern throughout her life. These levels peak in the early 20s and then start to decline [6]. This pattern plays a significant role in maintaining optimal health at different stages of life, including during menopause and perimenopause.

Age-related testosterone changes

Women’s testosterone production starts to decrease from age 30 [6]. The decline happens slowly over time, but removing ovaries through surgery leads to a sudden drop in testosterone levels [17]. Blood testosterone levels drop to about one-quarter of their peak by the time women reach menopause [17].

Something interesting happens after age 70. Studies show that older women’s testosterone levels bounce back to match those of premenopausal women [18]. This increase in later life happens on its own, regardless of other hormone changes [18].

Impact on menopause and perimenopause

Testosterone helps maintain physical and emotional balance during perimenopause and menopause. Lower levels can lead to several symptoms:

Fatigue and low energy without explanation
Problems with thinking and memory
Muscle weakness and lower bone density
Changes in mood and anxiety [19]

People often focus on estrogen during menopause, but low testosterone is a big deal as it means that many symptoms get worse. Before menopause, women’s bodies make three times more testosterone than estrogen [19]. This is why testosterone for menopause and testosterone for perimenopause are becoming increasingly important topics in women’s health.

Long-term health considerations

The largest longitudinal study shows that healthy testosterone levels support women’s health in many ways. Women who receive proper testosterone therapy don’t experience negative effects on their blood pressure or lipid profiles [19]. A four-year study of women with an average age of 47.3 years proves that testosterone replacement therapy for women is safe [20].

Testosterone supplements for women help postmenopausal women with:

Better sexual function and overall wellbeing
Stronger bones
Improved cognitive performance [19]

Testosterone therapy looks promising, but the United States FDA hasn’t approved any testosterone treatments specifically for women [21]. This lack of FDA approval means women need to work closely with their doctors to keep their hormone levels balanced as they age. Some doctors may prescribe low dose testosterone for females as an off-label use.

Conclusion

Our understanding of testosterone in women’s health challenges the common point of view about this key hormone. Women’s bodies need testosterone to work properly – from maintaining strong bones to keeping the brain sharp. The body makes less testosterone naturally as women age, especially after 30. Being aware of these changes and managing them properly can affect your overall health by a lot.

You should pay attention to signs that something’s off, especially if you notice several symptoms that don’t go away. Your body’s testosterone levels stay balanced naturally through good sleep, the right kind of exercise, and keeping stress in check. Healthcare providers who know about testosterone’s role in women’s health are a great way to get proper care and treatment.

Scientists keep discovering new ways testosterone affects women’s health. While the FDA hasn’t approved many treatments specifically for women yet, more research shows that managing testosterone levels safely works well at different stages of life. This knowledge gives women the ability to make better choices about their hormone health and well-being.

Whether you’re considering testosterone cream for women, testosterone pellets for women, or other forms of TRT for women, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. They can help you understand if you can take testosterone and guide you on how to treat low testosterone in females safely and effectively.