Do women have testosterone? Yes! Here are the facts

Do women have testosterone?

What pops into your head when you hear the word testosterone? Perhaps images of burly guys at the gym, or two dudes about to get into a fight. Muscles, aggression, and other traditionally masculine characteristics are often associated with testosterone.

In fact, you’ve probably heard testosterone referred to as the “male hormone.” But it’s not exclusive to just one biological sex – everyone needs this hormone to function!

It’s totally healthy and normal for people of every sex and gender to produce testosterone. Without it, many systems in your brain and body wouldn’t work properly. And just because you have testosterone doesn’t necessarily mean you have supposedly “masculine” physical traits or behaviors.

Anyone can experience frustrating side effects as a result of high or low testosterone. There are a lot of misconceptions about this hormone and what it does – here are the facts you need to know.

What is testosterone, and why do we need it?

In scientific terms, testosterone is an androgen. Androgens are a type of hormone known to regulate the reproductive system, such as sperm production and libido.^1-2 In people assigned male at birth (AMAB), androgens play a huge role in initiating puberty, and contribute to common changes like deepening of the voice and growth of facial and pubic hair during that time.³

That’s partially where testosterone gets its reputation. Many of the visibly masculine characteristics that develop in AMAB people are linked to the hormone. AMAB people also have a lot more testosterone on average, compared to people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Testosterone is produced by the testes or ovaries.² And it’s responsible for keeping other parts of the body healthy in addition to the reproductive system. Strong bones, healthy skin, muscle growth, and even emotional regulation are all linked to normal testosterone levels in AMAB people.¹

“Testosterone is essential for ovarian function, libido, and other aspects of reproductive health.”

Testosterone is present at much lower levels in AFAB people. But it’s essential for ovarian function, libido, and other aspects of reproductive health. Limited research also shows that it supports cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, as well as cognitive function.⁴

One important caveat: The vast majority of research on the impacts of sex hormones on human bodies has been done on cisgender men and women.  Additionally, science has historically been more focused on the role of testosterone in male than female bodies.⁵ This means current studies likely don’t capture its full range of effects in everyone. But we do know that AFAB people can have too much or too little testosterone, and experience common side effects as a result.

How much testosterone is normal for women?

Though it’s normal for everyone to have testosterone, healthy amounts vary depending on your sex assigned at birth. If you’re transgender and taking hormone therapy, your doctor will typically aim to alter your testosterone level to the normal amounts for cisgender men or women.⁶

Your hormone levels can be measured via a blood test. For women, typical testosterone levels range from 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), which is a standard measurement you’d see on a blood test. In men, that number is a lot higher – 300 to 1,000 ng/dL.

Oftentimes people will get their hormone levels checked if they or a doctor notice certain symptoms. In women, symptoms of high testosterone include:

• Excess body hair
• Enlarged clitoris
• Decreased breast size
• Acne and oily skin
• Deepening of the voice
• Missing or irregular periods
• Hair loss or thinning

While hormone imbalances can indicate greater issues in the body such as thyroid conditions or cancer, it’s not always a bad sign.

As you age, your testosterone levels will gradually decline, regardless of your sex or gender.^7-8 Menopausal women often experience low testosterone, which can cause them to lose interest in sex or see a decrease in libido. Testosterone replacement therapy can help relieve these symptoms in some cases.⁹

And it’s not just testosterone that declines as you get older. Estrogen and progesterone – often mistakenly called “female” hormones – also drop gradually with age for everyone.

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“Female” sex hormones in men

Just like testosterone, there are many misconceptions about the role that estrogen and progesterone play in the body. Though both hormones are typically associated with what are traditionally considered biologically feminine characteristics, they play essential roles in all bodies.

Sperm production is made possible by estrogen.

Estradiol, the most common form of estrogen, is important for regulating a variety of functions in people with testes. Sperm production, for example, is made possible by estrogen.¹⁰ It’s not just estrogen doing the work here, but it keeps things running smoothly in concert with other hormones.

Estrogen receptors in the brain also help kickstart your sex drive, though too much or too little of the hormone can cause side effects. Erectile dysfunction is a common experience for people with high estrogen who have penises, for example.¹⁰

And progesterone, which regulates processes like ovulation and pregnancy, also plays an essential role in bodies that don’t have uteruses.¹¹ Progesterone is actually a precursor to testosterone – meaning that it’s needed to make the hormone, even in men.¹²

Though they’re often gendered in popular culture, the hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone aren’t exclusive to just one group of people. There’s no such thing as “male” or “female” hormones, even though your levels of each will vary depending on your sex.