Skip to content
  • About
    • Our story
    • Our science
    • Hormona App
  • Hormones
    • About hormones
    • Hair Loss
    • Irregular cycles
    • PCOS
    • Infertility
  • Hormona Library
  • For business
    • Employers
    • Partnerships
    • Hormona Ambassadors
Menu
  • About
    • Our story
    • Our science
    • Hormona App
  • Hormones
    • About hormones
    • Hair Loss
    • Irregular cycles
    • PCOS
    • Infertility
  • Hormona Library
  • For business
    • Employers
    • Partnerships
    • Hormona Ambassadors
  • En
  • Sv
Menu
  • En
  • Sv
Get the app
  • Hormones, Our hormones

What is Testosterone and how does it affect women

Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen

Next out of the sex hormones is Testosterone. You may wonder why we’re talking about testosterone as it’s most commonly associated with men but lo and behold, women have testosterone too and it’s important to make sure we stay on top of our testosterone levels. Before we dive into how testosterone affects women, let’s have a quick look at what it does in men as that helps explain why the right level of testosterone in women is so important.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is the main sex hormone found in men as opposed to estrogen and progesterone in women. Thanks to this particular hormone men get the very specific features that make them men and physically different from women. This includes facial and body hair as well as increased muscle and bone mass. It is also very important for sex drive. In a man, most of the testosterone is made in the testicles with a small portion coming from the adrenal glands.

Women and testosterone

So did you know that we women also make testosterone? Yes, we do! But in much smaller amounts than our counterparts. We make about 1/10th to 1/20th of the amount of testosterone than men do. So, much less and in turn, we produce more of the main female sex hormone estrogen. The amount of testosterone that we do make is produced in our ovaries and adrenal glands.

Why is Testosterone important in boys and men?

Testosterone helps bring on the physical changes that turn a boy into a man.  These changes can include growth of the penis, growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice, increased height, just to name a few, but you get the idea right?

Also, this hormone is super important for fertility, as men need this hormone for sperm production and in turn to have babies.

Women testosterone, why do we need it?

Well, combined with estrogen, testosterone helps with growth, bone health, fertility and you guessed it, SEX DRIVE. Good thing we’re making some, right?

As with all our wonderful and powerful bodily hormones, the key is balance.  When we make too little or too much it can affect our health. In men, when they don’t have enough they may experience fatigue, muscle loss, hair loss and infertility. But enough of men! What are the effects of too low or too high testosterone in women?

Effects of low testosterone in women

Low levels of testosterone (which rarely occurs btw) can lead to:

  • Low sex drive
  • Osteoporosis
  • Vagina dryness

Effects of high testosterone in women

High levels of testosterone (which are much more common) can lead to:

  • Acne
  • Blood sugar problems
  • Excessive hair growth, usually on the face
  • Infertility
  • Lack of menstruation
  • Obesity
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Not great things for any woman! If you have any of the above symptoms please contact your doctor so they can check the testosterone level in your blood. In many occasions, high levels of testosterone in women can be treated.

 

Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

  • March 17, 2021
  • Hormones, Our hormones
Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen

Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen

This post is written by Dr Rocio Salas-Whalen, CMO at hormona and double board-certified physician in Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine. Currently, Dr Salas-Whalen practices in her own private office in New York City. Dr Salas-Whalen is a strong woman’s health advocate through all periods of a woman’s life. She has a strong interest in improving the quality of life of women going through some hormonal dysfunctions. Including PCOS, infertility, thyroid disease, obesity and menopause to name a few

More stories

Healthier living with Hormona: How we can help you

open pill capsule

Magnesium and Medication

womans neck to to illustrate the relationship between hormones and pain

Hormones and pain: How your cycle affects sensitivity

RELATED POSTS

woman holding her tummy

Period bloating remedies: Beat the bloats

Bloat. The word sounds just like it feels, doesn’t it? You feel extra fluffy and full. Your clothes

Read More »
woman facing away in mirror

ADHD and hormones: What you need to know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2019, six million children in the

Read More »
jug of water being poured in glasses

Bloating before period? Yes, it’s a real thing.

It must be that time of the month again…or is it? Wait, didn’t I just get my period

Read More »
  • Our story
  • Our science
  • Hormona Library
  • Our story
  • Our science
  • Hormona Library
  • Partnerships
  • Contact
  • Career
  • Contact us
  • Partnerships
  • Contact
  • Career
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Sign up to our newsletter

Follow us
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter

© Wlness Science Ltd 2023

Language
  • En
  • Sv
  • En
  • Sv
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can always opt-out if you wish. Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT