Testosterone in women: definition and meaning
Testosterone in women is an androgen hormone made in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It supports libido, muscle and bone strength, energy and the making of estrogen. Levels rise slightly around ovulation. Too much is linked to PCOS symptoms like acne and extra hair; too little may lower desire and energy.
What testosterone does in the female body
Women make roughly a tenth to a twentieth of the testosterone men make, but it still matters. The ovaries turn some of it into estrogen. It also helps maintain muscle, bone density, red blood cells and sexual desire. Most testosterone in the blood is bound to SHBG, and only the free portion is active.
Testosterone across the cycle
Testosterone climbs a little in the days before ovulation. Many people notice higher libido, confidence and social energy at that point, alongside the estrogen peak. It drifts lower again in the luteal phase. The changes are modest and vary from person to person.
| Level | Possible signs | Common causes |
|---|---|---|
| Higher than usual | acne, extra facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, irregular periods | PCOS, some adrenal conditions, certain medicines |
| Lower than usual | low desire, tiredness, low mood (signs overlap with many other causes) | surgical menopause, aging, some contraceptive pills that raise SHBG |
Testing and treatment
A blood test for total and free testosterone, often with SHBG, helps a doctor investigate irregular cycles or unwanted hair growth. In the UK and US, testosterone is sometimes prescribed after menopause for persistent low sexual desire, usually alongside hormone replacement therapy. It is not a general energy booster, and doses need medical supervision.
See a doctor if you notice fast-growing facial or body hair, a deepening voice or periods that stop. These need checking, as they can point to higher androgen levels.
Frequently asked questions
Does testosterone affect mood in women?
It can play a part in energy, motivation and desire, but mood across the cycle is shaped more by estrogen and progesterone shifts. Tracking helps you see your own pattern.
Does birth control lower testosterone?
Combined pills raise SHBG, which lowers free testosterone. That is why they can help acne, and why some people notice lower desire on them.
Sources
- Endocrine Society: Global consensus position statement on testosterone therapy for women
- MedlinePlus: Testosterone test
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
Androgens: definition and meaningAndrogens are hormones like testosterone and DHEA that everyone makes. What they do in women, how they link to PCOS, and signs your levels may be high.
What is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)?PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common hormone condition causing irregular periods, high androgens and ovulation problems. Signs, diagnosis and care.Libido across the cycle: what it meansLibido means sexual desire, and for many people it follows the cycle, often peaking near ovulation. Why it shifts, what lowers it, and when to get support.Ovulation libido: why you feel more turned on mid-cycleWhy sex drive often peaks around ovulation: the hormones behind it, what research shows, how long it lasts, and what it means for fertility and contraception.PCOS (now also called PMOS) and your cyclePCOS, now also called PMOS, explained: the common signs, how doctors diagnose it, what it does to your cycle and mood, and what helps day to day.