Almighty Testosterone: what you need to know

October 28, 2025

2 min read

Testosterone is typically mentioned as it relates to men's health, but it is also important for women to have normal levels. Let's explore why.

Key takeaways

Testosterone is typically mentioned as it relates to men's health, but it is also important for women to have normal levels.
Why the body needs testosterone
When testosterone is decreased

Who this is for

People exploring Hormones and thyroid through man's health, hormones.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Irene

endocrinologist

Why the body needs testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles and ovaries.

In boys, it triggers the process of sexual development, the formation of genitals and the growth of male body hair, and is responsible for libido, muscle mass, psyche and confidence.

The normal level of total testosterone in men 18-50 years old is 8.64-29 nmol/l.

In girls, most testosterone is converted to estradiol, a hormone that is responsible for puberty, regulates the menstrual cycle, and affects reproduction and sexual behavior.

The normal level of total testosterone in women 18-50 years old is 0.5-2.4 nmol/l.

When testosterone is decreased

After age 50, testosterone levels begin to naturally decline for both men and women. Up to this point, fluctuating levels of the hormone indicate problems in the body.

Decreased testosterone in men can be associated with obesity, lack of physical activity, stress, lack of sleep, taking steroid hormones, head trauma, infections, diabetes, kidney and liver disease, and cancer. Signs of testosterone deficiency include erectile dysfunction, decreased body and facial hair, loss of bone and muscle mass, impaired attention and memory, irritability, weight gain, constant fatigue and insomnia.

Testosterone deficiency in women can be associated with menopause, ovarian removal, cancer, eating disorders, and the need for medication. When a woman lacks testosterone, her sex drive decreases, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia appear, her menstrual cycle is disrupted, and her skin and hair deteriorate.

When testosterone is elevated

Excess testosterone is a rare problem in men and is more common in women. It can be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal hyperplasia, cancer, and genetic issues.

Signs of elevated testosterone in women include hair growth in inappropriate places and male pattern frontal baldness, menstrual irregularities, infertility, libido problems, oily skin, acne, rough voice, and muscle mass gain.

How to balance testosterone

If you detect one or more symptoms of decreased or elevated testosterone, you should take a test for total testosterone. This should be done 2-3 times within the first 2-3 months of noticing the symptoms since the level of the hormone can fluctuate. An endocrinologist or urologist will then be able to prescribe treatment depending on the conditions and factors that caused the hormone imbalance.

In addition to taking medication, doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes including regular exercise, getting enough sleep, avoiding bad habits, and eating more seafood and foods rich in zinc and selenium.

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