Testosterone Testing for Women: Why It Matters

Nico Bryant-Aguilar

— 3 min read

Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but it plays a crucial role in women’s health too. While women have lower testosterone levels than men, the hormone is essential for energy, muscle strength, mood, libido, and bone density.

In this article, we’ll explore:
✅ Why testosterone is important for women
✅ Signs of low and high testosterone in women
✅ How to test for testosterone levels
✅ Treatment options for hormonal balance

Why Is Testosterone Important for Women?

Women naturally produce small amounts of testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands. Although estrogen is the dominant female hormone, testosterone contributes to:

💪 Muscle Mass & Strength – Prevents muscle loss and supports metabolism.
🔥 Energy & Motivation – Helps maintain stamina and reduce fatigue.
❤️ Libido & Sexual Function – Boosts sex drive and pleasure.
🧠 Mood & Mental Clarity – Reduces depression and brain fog.
🦴 Bone Health – Helps prevent osteoporosis by maintaining bone density.

A testosterone imbalance in women—either too low or too high—can lead to various health problems.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women

🚨 Fatigue & Low Energy – Constant tiredness despite getting enough sleep.
🚨 Low Libido & Sexual Dysfunction – Decreased sex drive or trouble with arousal.
🚨 Muscle Weakness & Weight Gain – Harder to maintain muscle and lose weight.
🚨 Depression & Mood Swings – Feelings of sadness or irritability.
🚨 Brain Fog & Poor Focus – Difficulty concentrating or memory issues.
🚨 Thinning Hair – Hair loss or brittle hair.

🔹 Who’s at Risk?

  • Women over 40 (testosterone declines with age).
  • Women with PCOS, adrenal fatigue, or thyroid disorders.
  • Those who have had an oophorectomy (ovary removal) or hysterectomy.

Symptoms of High Testosterone in Women

🚨 Excess Facial & Body Hair (Hirsutism) – Unwanted hair growth on face, chest, or back.
🚨 Acne & Oily Skin – Hormonal breakouts along jawline or chin.
🚨 Irregular Periods or Missed Cycles – Disruptions in menstrual cycle.
🚨 Deepening Voice – A rare but serious symptom of androgen excess.
🚨 Weight Gain (Especially in Abdomen) – Linked to insulin resistance.
🚨 Hair Thinning or Balding – Hair loss similar to male pattern baldness.

🔹 Who’s at Risk?

  • Women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
  • Those using excessive testosterone supplements or anabolic steroids.
  • Women with adrenal disorders or tumors that cause hormone imbalances.

How to Test for Testosterone Levels in Women

Best Tests for Measuring Testosterone in Women

✔ Total Testosterone Test – Measures the overall amount of testosterone in your blood.
✔ Free Testosterone Test – Measures the active, unbound testosterone that your body can use.
✔ Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) Test – Determines how much testosterone is bound and unavailable.
✔ DHEA-S Test – Checks adrenal function, as DHEA is a precursor to testosterone.
✔ Estradiol Test – Measures estrogen levels, which interact with testosterone.

Best Time to Test Testosterone Levels for Women

📌 For premenopausal women: Test between days 3-5 of your menstrual cycle for most accurate results.
📌 For postmenopausal women: Test any time of the day, but morning is best when hormone levels are highest.

💡 Always test alongside estrogen and SHBG for a full hormonal picture.

What Causes Testosterone Imbalances in Women?

🔹 Causes of Low Testosterone in Women

❌ Aging & Menopause – Natural decline after age 40.
❌ Ovary Removal (Oophorectomy) – Causes a sudden drop in testosterone production.
❌ Adrenal Fatigue or Addison’s Disease – Impairs adrenal gland function.
❌ Chronic Stress & High Cortisol – Cortisol suppresses testosterone production [¹].
❌ Birth Control Pills – Some pills increase SHBG, which binds testosterone and makes it unavailable [²].

🔹 Causes of High Testosterone in Women

❌ Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – The most common cause of high testosterone in women [³].
❌ Insulin Resistance or Diabetes – High insulin levels increase testosterone production.
❌ Adrenal Hyperplasia or Tumors – Can cause excessive androgen production.
❌ Overuse of Testosterone Supplements or Anabolic Steroids – Can lead to imbalances.

How to Balance Testosterone Levels Naturally

✅ For Low Testosterone

  • Strength Training & Exercise – Boosts natural testosterone production.
  • Eat Healthy Fats – Avocados, nuts, and salmon support hormone balance.
  • Vitamin D & Zinc – Essential nutrients for testosterone production.
  • Reduce Chronic Stress – Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing lower cortisol.

💊 Medical Options:
✔ Testosterone Therapy (TRT for Women) – Small doses of testosterone under doctor supervision.
✔ DHEA Supplements – A precursor to testosterone that can help boost levels.

✅ For High Testosterone

  • Lower Insulin & Sugar Intake – Reducing processed carbs helps regulate hormones.
  • Increase Fiber – Cruciferous vegetables help detox excess androgens.
  • Spearmint Tea – Studies show it lowers testosterone in women with PCOS [⁴].
  • Improve Gut Health – A healthy microbiome regulates hormone metabolism.

💊 Medical Options:
✔ Birth Control Pills – Can reduce testosterone in women with PCOS.
✔ Metformin – Helps lower insulin and testosterone in insulin-resistant women.
✔ Anti-Androgen Medications (Spironolactone) – Blocks excess testosterone effects.

Final Thoughts: Should Women Get Their Testosterone Levels Tested?

✔ Testosterone is essential for energy, mood, libido, and muscle health in women.
✔ Low testosterone causes fatigue, brain fog, and low sex drive.
✔ High testosterone can lead to acne, hair growth, and PCOS symptoms.
✔ A simple blood test can help diagnose hormone imbalances.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, testing testosterone alongside estrogen, progesterone, and SHBG provides a clearer picture of your hormonal health.

Footnotes & Citations

  1. Tsigos, C., et al. “The Role of Cortisol in Hormonal Imbalance.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2016. Available here
  2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Hormonal Effects of Birth Control Pills.” ACOG Guidelines, 2021. Available here
  3. The Endocrine Society. “Testosterone & PCOS: A Clinical Overview.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2019. Available here
  4. Grant, P. “Spearmint Tea and Testosterone Reduction in PCOS.” Phytotherapy Research, 2018. Available here

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