Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone. Women produce it too — in the ovaries and adrenal glands — and it plays a critical role in energy, focus, muscle strength, bone health, and libido.
The difference is scale. Women have about 10 to 15 times less testosterone than men, which means even small declines can have an outsized impact. And yet, when women seek help for fatigue, brain fog, or low libido, testosterone is rarely the first thing anyone looks at.
Not because it doesn’t matter, but because it’s often overlooked.
Even in small amounts, testosterone matters. It supports how your body produces energy, maintains lean muscle, protects bone density, and sharpens mental clarity. It also plays a role in confidence, drive, and that feeling of being fully “on.”
Unlike estrogen, which drops more abruptly during menopause, testosterone declines slowly over time. By age 40, levels can fall to about half of what they were in early adulthood. Because the change is gradual, it often goes unnoticed until the symptoms are impossible to ignore.
Part of the problem is how testosterone is measured.
Most lab reference ranges lump women ages 20 through 80+ into one broad category. That means a 35-year-old can be told her levels are “normal,” even if they’ve dropped significantly from where they were just a few years ago.
On top of that, many providers only test total testosterone, not free testosterone. Free testosterone is the “active” form of the hormone that can readily bind to receptors and exert its effects on the body. Without that full picture, important clues get missed.
There’s also a brain connection that rarely gets talked about. Testosterone influences dopamine pathways involved in focus, motivation, and reward. Research shows it can increase dopamine activity in key areas of the brain, which helps explain why low testosterone doesn’t just affect your body, it affects your mental clarity, drive, and sense of engagement with life.
Too often, these symptoms are chalked up to stress, aging, or mood disorders when they may be pointing to something measurable and treatable.
Low testosterone in women doesn’t show up the same way it does in men. It’s often quieter—but persistent.
You might notice:
Some women describe it as losing their edge or feeling less assertive than they once were.
High testosterone shows up differently. Irregular or absent periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, and fertility challenges can all be signs. This pattern is often associated with PCOS, which affects up to 13% of women of reproductive age. While PCOS is common, it’s also very treatable once properly identified.
Because these symptoms can overlap with thyroid disorders, perimenopause, or depression, testing matters.
It starts with the right data.
Ask for a more complete hormone panel that includes LH, FSH, DHEA, and SHBG, not just total testosterone. These markers help clarify what’s actually available to your cells.
Equally important is working with a provider who understands the difference between being “in range” and being optimal for you. That often means seeking out clinicians experienced in endocrinology or functional medicine.
Lifestyle support matters too—and the basics work when done consistently. Resistance training is one of the most well-supported tools for supporting testosterone levels in women. Studies show it can temporarily increase testosterone while improving body composition and strength.
Adequate protein, healthy fats, quality sleep, and stress management aren’t optional add-ons. They’re foundational for hormone balance. And despite what marketing suggests, most supplements labeled as “testosterone boosters” for women lack strong evidence. The fundamentals outperform the gimmicks.
If you’ve been told everything looks “normal” but you don’t feel like yourself, that disconnect matters. Symptoms are information — not something to ignore or push through.
With the right questions, the right testing, and the right support, there’s often a clear path forward. You don’t have to settle for feeling less sharp, less strong, or less energized than you know you’re capable of.
Your body isn’t failing you. It’s asking to be understood.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.