What Is Testosterone and Why It Matters for Women
Testosterone is one of several hormones that play an essential role in women’s health. While it is often associated with men, women naturally produce testosterone throughout life, primarily in the ovaries and adrenal glands, with small amounts also coming from peripheral tissues.
In women, testosterone contributes to a wide range of functions, including:
- Energy levels and physical stamina
- Muscle strength and maintenance
- Bone density and skeletal health
- Libido and sexual response
- Mood, motivation, and cognitive clarity
Testosterone also interacts closely with estrogen and progesterone. Rather than working in isolation, these hormones influence one another, helping regulate metabolism, reproductive health, and the nervous system function as an integrated system. Because of this interplay, changes in testosterone levels in women can sometimes reflect broader shifts in hormone balance rather than a problem with testosterone alone.
Even small changes in testosterone can be noticeable in women because baseline levels are relatively low. This helps explain why symptoms may appear even when lab results fall within the normal reference range.
How Much Testosterone Does a Woman Have?
Testosterone levels are measured with a blood test and are typically reported in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). When people ask how much testosterone a woman has, they are usually referring to this lab value.
Compared to men, testosterone levels in women are much lower. Most laboratories list normal testosterone levels in women as roughly 15 to 70 ng/dL, though exact reference ranges vary by lab and testing method.
Several factors influence where an individual woman’s testosterone level falls within this range, including:
- Age and life stage
- Ovarian and adrenal function
- Overall metabolic health
- Stress and sleep patterns
- Use of certain medications
It is also important to understand that testosterone levels in women are not static. Levels can fluctuate over time and may shift during major hormonal transitions such as perimenopause and menopause.
Because women’s testosterone levels are low to begin with, small numerical changes can sometimes have a noticeable impact on how someone feels. This is one reason clinicians tend to interpret testosterone results in women carefully and in the context of symptoms rather than relying on a single number alone.
Normal Testosterone Levels in Women
Normal testosterone levels in women are defined using laboratory reference ranges that reflect population averages. These ranges are helpful for context, but they are often misunderstood, especially because women’s testosterone levels are much lower than men’s and can vary significantly by life stage.
Most clinical labs report normal testosterone levels in women as falling roughly between 15 and 70 ng/dL. However, this range is not universal. Reference ranges can differ depending on the lab, the assay used, and whether the population includes premenopausal or postmenopausal women.
It is also important to understand what “normal” means in this context. A normal range indicates where most test results fall across a broad population statistically. It does not necessarily reflect what is optimal for an individual woman’s energy, mood, or sexual health.
Why Normal Ranges Can Be Broad
There are several reasons why normal testosterone levels in women span a wide range:
- Testosterone production comes from both the ovaries and the adrenal glands
- Levels fluctuate across the menstrual cycle
- Testosterone gradually changes with age and reproductive stage
- Overall, hormone balance influences how testosterone is used in the body
Because of this variability, two women with the same testosterone level may feel very different. One may feel well and energized, while another may experience symptoms despite having a result labeled “normal.”
Total vs. Functional Interpretation
In women, small numerical differences in testosterone can sometimes have meaningful effects. This makes careful interpretation especially important. Clinicians often look beyond whether a value technically falls within the reference range and consider:
- Whether symptoms are present
- How levels compare to prior results
- Other hormones that influence balance, such as estrogen and SHBG
This helps ensure that testosterone levels in women are interpreted in a way that reflects real-world health rather than lab cutoffs alone.
Average Testosterone Levels in Females by Age
Testosterone levels in women tend to change gradually over time, with more noticeable shifts during key hormonal transitions. Looking at average testosterone levels in females by age can help provide general context, but these averages should not be treated as rigid targets.
Below are approximate patterns commonly seen in clinical practice. Exact values may vary depending on the lab and testing method.
- Life Stage: Late teens to early 20s
- Approximate Average Testosterone Level (ng/dL): ~25–60
- Life Stage: 20s to early 30s
- Approximate Average Testosterone Level (ng/dL): ~20–55
- Life Stage:
- Approximate Average Testosterone Level (ng/dL):
- Life Stage: Late 30s to early 40s
- Approximate Average Testosterone Level (ng/dL): ~15–45
- Life Stage: Perimenopause
- Approximate Average Testosterone Level (ng/dL): ~10–40
- Life Stage: Postmenopause
- Approximate Average Testosterone Level (ng/dL): ~5–30
How Life Stage Influences Testosterone
- Reproductive years: Testosterone is primarily produced by the ovaries, with adrenal support. Levels tend to be higher and more stable during this time.
- Perimenopause: Hormone production becomes more variable. Testosterone levels may decline gradually or fluctuate alongside estrogen and progesterone changes.
- Postmenopause: Ovarian testosterone production decreases significantly, and adrenal production becomes the primary source. Average levels are lower, though individual experiences vary widely.
Why Age-Based Averages Have Limits
While age-based averages are useful for orientation, they do not determine how a woman should feel. Symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, or mood changes can occur at different testosterone levels depending on overall hormone balance, stress load, metabolic health, and nervous system regulation.
This is why clinicians often focus less on how a number compares to an age-based average and more on how testosterone fits into the broader health picture.
What Is the “Optimal” Testosterone Range for Women?
When it comes to testosterone levels in women, the word “optimal” can be misleading if it is taken to mean a single ideal number. Unlike lab reference ranges, which are based on population averages, an optimal testosterone level is best understood in a clinical context. It reflects how well the body is functioning and how a woman feels, rather than whether a value falls within a predefined range.
In clinical practice, normal testosterone levels in women indicate what is statistically common, but they do not always capture what supports energy, mood, sexual health, and overall well-being for an individual woman.
Normal vs. Optimal: Why the Difference Matters
A lab report answers a limited question: Is this testosterone value within the expected range for the general population?
An optimal range addresses a different question: Is this testosterone level supporting healthy function for this person, at this stage of life?
For example:
- A woman may have testosterone levels in women that fall within the lower end of the normal range and still experience fatigue, low libido, or reduced motivation.
- Another woman with a similar lab value may feel well, recover easily from exercise, and have a stable mood and energy.
This difference helps explain why lab results alone do not always tell the full story.
What Clinicians Consider When Thinking About “Optimal”
Rather than aiming for a specific number, clinicians often look at several factors together to understand function rather than targets, including:
- Symptoms: Energy, mood, sexual desire, physical strength, and cognitive clarity
- Life stage: Reproductive years, perimenopause, or postmenopause
- Trends over time: Whether testosterone levels are stable, declining, or changing more rapidly
- Hormone balance: How testosterone interacts with estrogen, progesterone, and binding proteins like SHBG
- Overall health: Metabolic function, stress load, inflammation, and sleep quality
Because women’s testosterone levels are relatively low to begin with, even modest shifts can feel significant. This makes careful, individualized interpretation especially important.
Why Chasing a Number Can Be Unhelpful
Focusing solely on raising testosterone levels can sometimes miss the underlying contributors to symptoms. Low or suboptimal testosterone may reflect broader issues such as chronic stress, disrupted sleep, metabolic changes, or shifts in other hormones.
Addressing these contributors often supports hormone balance more effectively than targeting testosterone alone. This whole-body perspective is a key principle of functional and preventive care.
Why Testosterone Levels Change in Women
Testosterone levels in women naturally change over time. Some shifts are expected parts of normal physiology, while others are influenced by stress, health conditions, or broader hormonal changes. Understanding why testosterone levels fluctuate can help reduce confusion and place lab results in the proper context.
Rather than reflecting a single cause, changes in testosterone levels in women are often the result of multiple overlapping factors.
Age and Reproductive Hormone Changes
Testosterone production in women is supported by both the ovaries and the adrenal glands. During the reproductive years, ovarian production plays a larger role. As women age, ovarian hormone production gradually declines, including testosterone.
This process often becomes more noticeable during perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause. Hormone output becomes less predictable, and testosterone levels may decline alongside changes in estrogen and progesterone. After menopause, the ovaries produce significantly less testosterone, and adrenal production becomes the primary source.
While these changes are common, the timing and degree of decline vary widely between individuals.
Chronic Stress and the Stress Response
Long-term stress can meaningfully affect testosterone levels in women. When the body is under chronic stress, it prioritizes cortisol production to support the stress response. This shift can reduce the availability of hormone precursors needed for other hormones, including testosterone.
Over time, dysregulated stress hormones may contribute to lower testosterone levels or symptoms that overlap with low testosterone, such as fatigue, low motivation, or reduced libido.
Metabolic and Thyroid Health
Metabolic health plays an important role in hormone balance. Insulin resistance, blood sugar dysregulation, and chronic inflammation can influence how hormones are produced, converted, and used in the body.
Thyroid function is also closely linked to sex hormones. Thyroid imbalances can affect testosterone availability and may contribute to symptoms that are sometimes attributed to low testosterone alone.
Medications and Medical Conditions
Certain medications can influence testosterone levels in women, either directly or indirectly. These may include some hormonal medications, long-term corticosteroids, and other treatments that affect endocrine function.
Medical conditions that impact the ovaries, adrenal glands, or overall hormone regulation can also alter testosterone levels. In these cases, testosterone changes are often one piece of a broader hormonal picture.
Why These Changes Can Feel Subtle or Confusing
Because women’s testosterone levels are relatively low to begin with, even modest shifts can feel significant. At the same time, symptoms caused by changing testosterone levels often overlap with symptoms related to estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, stress, or sleep disruption.
This overlap is why testosterone levels in women are best evaluated as part of a comprehensive hormone and health assessment rather than in isolation.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
Low testosterone in women does not present the same way for everyone. Some women notice clear changes, while others experience subtle symptoms that develop gradually over time. Because testosterone influences multiple systems in the body, symptoms can be physical, emotional, or cognitive, and they often overlap with symptoms related to other hormone imbalances.
This overlap is important. Many symptoms associated with low testosterone are not specific to testosterone alone and can also be linked to changes in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, stress regulation, or sleep quality.
Common Physical Symptoms
Women with lower testosterone levels may notice changes such as:
- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Reduced muscle strength or tone
- Decreased exercise tolerance or slower recovery
- Increased body fat or changes in body composition
- Reduced bone strength over time
These physical changes often occur gradually and may be attributed to aging, stress, or lifestyle factors before testosterone is ever considered.
Sexual Health Symptoms
Testosterone plays a role in sexual desire and responsiveness in women. Possible symptoms of lower levels include:
- Reduced libido or sexual interest
- Decreased sexual responsiveness or satisfaction
- Vaginal discomfort that may coexist with other hormonal changes
It is important to note that sexual health is influenced by many factors, including estrogen levels, relationship dynamics, stress, sleep, and overall well-being. Testosterone is one piece of a much larger picture.
Mood and Cognitive Changes
Testosterone receptors are present in the brain, which helps explain why changes in testosterone levels in women can sometimes affect mood and cognition. Some women report:
- Low motivation or reduced sense of drive
- Depressed or flattened mood
- Difficulty concentrating or mental fatigue
- Reduced confidence or resilience
These symptoms can overlap significantly with anxiety, depression, burnout, or thyroid imbalance, which is why isolated interpretation can be misleading.
Why Symptoms Matter More Than a Single Lab Value
One of the challenges with evaluating testosterone levels in women is that lab values do not always align neatly with symptoms. A woman may have testosterone levels that fall within the normal reference range and still experience symptoms, while another woman with a similar value may feel well.
For this reason, clinicians often prioritize:
- The type and severity of symptoms
- How long have symptoms been present
- Whether symptoms are changing over time
- How testosterone fits into the broader hormone picture
Symptoms of High Testosterone in Women
High testosterone levels in women are less common than low levels, but they can occur and may lead to noticeable symptoms. In many cases, elevated testosterone reflects an underlying hormonal imbalance rather than a standalone issue. As with low testosterone, symptoms are not diagnostic on their own and should always be interpreted in context.
Possible Physical Symptoms
When testosterone levels in women are higher than the body can regulate comfortably, some women may experience:
- Acne or persistently oily skin
- Increased facial or body hair growth
- Thinning scalp hair or hair shedding
- Changes in skin texture
These changes can be distressing and may develop gradually rather than suddenly.
Menstrual and Reproductive Changes
Testosterone interacts closely with estrogen and progesterone, so higher levels can sometimes affect menstrual regularity. Possible changes include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Changes in ovulation patterns
- Fertility challenges in certain contexts
Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are commonly associated with higher testosterone levels, though not all women with elevated testosterone have PCOS.
Mood and Emotional Changes
Some women report emotional or psychological shifts when testosterone levels are elevated, including:
- Increased irritability or restlessness
- Heightened anxiety in some cases
- Difficulty sleeping
These symptoms can also be influenced by stress, metabolic health, and nervous system regulation, making careful evaluation essential.
Why Elevated Testosterone Requires Context
Elevated testosterone levels do not automatically indicate a serious condition. Levels may fluctuate temporarily due to stress, medication use, or hormonal transitions. Because symptoms of high testosterone can overlap with other endocrine or metabolic issues, clinicians typically look at patterns, related hormones, and overall health rather than relying on a single lab result.
How Testosterone Is Measured in Women
Measuring testosterone in women requires more nuance than measuring testosterone in men. Because women’s testosterone levels are much lower, testing accuracy, timing, and interpretation all matter significantly.
Understanding what is being measured can help explain why results sometimes feel confusing or inconsistent.
Total Testosterone
Most initial testing measures total testosterone, which reflects the total amount of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. This includes testosterone that is:
- Bound to proteins in the blood
- Loosely bound and potentially available
- Freely available to tissues
While total testosterone is a useful starting point, it does not always capture how much testosterone is actually available for the body to use, especially in women.
Free Testosterone
Free testosterone refers to the small fraction of testosterone that is not bound to proteins and is biologically active. In women, this fraction is very small, but it can be clinically meaningful.
Some women have total testosterone levels within the normal range but relatively low free testosterone. This can happen when more testosterone is bound to proteins and unavailable to tissues, which may help explain symptoms despite “normal” total levels.
Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Sex hormone–binding globulin, or SHBG, is a protein that binds tightly to testosterone and other sex hormones. Higher SHBG levels can reduce the amount of free testosterone available to tissues, even if total testosterone appears adequate.
SHBG levels can be influenced by:
- Estrogen levels
- Thyroid function
- Liver health
- Metabolic status
- Certain medications
Because of this, clinicians often consider SHBG alongside testosterone levels when evaluating hormone balance in women.
Why Testing Accuracy Matters
Standard testosterone assays are designed primarily for the higher testosterone levels seen in men. At the much lower concentrations found in women, some testing methods are less precise.
For this reason, clinicians often prefer more sensitive testing methods and interpret results carefully, especially when values are near the lower end of the reference range.
Timing and Testing Conditions
Unlike some other hormones, testosterone does not fluctuate as dramatically across the menstrual cycle as estrogen or progesterone, but timing can still matter. Acute illness, poor sleep, intense exercise, and high stress can temporarily affect testosterone levels.
If results are borderline or do not align with symptoms, repeat testing may be helpful to confirm whether a result reflects a consistent pattern rather than a temporary fluctuation.
Factors That Influence Testosterone Levels in Women
Testosterone levels in women are shaped by a combination of biological, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Because testosterone interacts with many other systems in the body, changes in these areas can influence both hormone production and how testosterone is used at the tissue level.
Understanding these influences can help explain why testosterone levels vary so widely between individuals and across different stages of life.
Stress and Nervous System Regulation
Chronic stress can significantly affect testosterone levels in women. When the body is under ongoing stress, it prioritizes cortisol production to support the stress response. This shift can reduce the availability of hormone precursors needed to support other hormones, including testosterone.
Over time, dysregulated stress hormones may contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, low motivation, or reduced libido, even if testosterone levels fall within the normal range.
Sleep Quality and Circadian Rhythm
Sleep plays an important role in hormone regulation. Poor sleep quality, insufficient sleep, or disrupted circadian rhythms can interfere with normal hormone signaling, including testosterone production and availability.
Women who consistently experience short or fragmented sleep often report symptoms that overlap with low testosterone, highlighting the close connection between rest and hormone balance.
Metabolic Health and Blood Sugar Balance
Metabolic health is closely tied to hormone regulation. Insulin resistance, blood sugar instability, and chronic inflammation can all influence how hormones are produced, converted, and utilized in the body.
In some women, metabolic dysfunction may contribute to both low and high testosterone patterns, depending on the underlying mechanisms involved.
Exercise Patterns and Recovery
Regular movement and strength-based activity are generally associated with healthier hormone balance. However, excessive exercise without adequate recovery can place stress on the body and potentially suppress hormone production.
Both underactivity and overtraining can affect testosterone levels in women, underscoring the importance of balance rather than extremes.
Nutrition and Digestive Health
Adequate nutrition provides the building blocks for hormone production. Chronic under-eating, restrictive diets, or poor nutrient absorption can interfere with hormone synthesis and regulation. Alcohol consumption can always have a significant impact on testosterone levels which can require case specific guidance from a medical professional in order to balance hormone levels correctly.
Digestive health also matters. The gut plays a role in hormone metabolism and elimination, and imbalances in gut function can indirectly affect hormone levels.
Life Stage and Hormonal Transitions
Testosterone levels naturally shift during major life stages, including puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. These transitions involve changes across multiple hormones, which can amplify the effects of even modest changes in testosterone.
Taken together, these factors help explain why testosterone levels in women are best understood as part of a dynamic, interconnected system rather than a single isolated value.
A Personalized, Whole-Body Approach to Testosterone and Hormone Balance
Evaluating testosterone levels in women requires more than checking whether a number falls inside a reference range. Because testosterone works alongside other hormones and body systems, clinicians typically interpret results in context, looking at patterns rather than isolated values.
This whole-body perspective helps ensure that testosterone concerns are addressed safely, accurately, and in a way that supports long-term health.
How Clinicians Evaluate Testosterone in Women
When clinicians assess testosterone levels in women, they often start with symptoms and context, then use lab data to deepen understanding. Rather than focusing on testosterone alone, they look at how it fits into the broader hormonal picture.
This evaluation may include:
- Symptoms and lived experience: Energy, mood, libido, physical strength, and cognitive clarity
- Life stage: Reproductive years, perimenopause, or postmenopause
- Trends over time: Whether testosterone levels are stable, gradually changing, or shifting more rapidly
- Related hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and binding proteins such as SHBG
- Metabolic and inflammatory markers: Blood sugar balance, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation
- Lifestyle factors: Sleep quality, stress load, physical activity, and nutrition
This approach helps explain why two women with similar testosterone levels may feel very different, and why symptoms cannot be understood by lab values alone.
Why a Whole-Body Approach Matters
Testosterone levels in women are influenced by many interconnected systems. Chronic stress, poor sleep, metabolic changes, and shifts in other hormones can all affect how testosterone is produced, converted, and used by the body.
Because of this complexity, focusing narrowly on testosterone can sometimes miss the underlying contributors driving symptoms. Supporting hormone balance often means addressing patterns such as stress physiology, sleep disruption, blood sugar regulation, or inflammatory load alongside hormone levels.
How Parsley Health Can Help
At Parsley Health, clinicians take a personalized, root-cause approach to hormone health that prioritizes context and patterns over single data points. When women have questions or concerns about testosterone levels, Parsley Health clinicians look at the full picture, including symptoms, labs, medical history, and lifestyle factors.
This typically involves:
- Interpreting testosterone levels alongside related hormones and binding proteins
- Placing lab results in the context of symptoms and life stage
- Reviewing trends over time rather than relying on a single test
- Identifying patterns that may be affecting hormone balance across systems
- Helping patients understand what their results mean for their individual health
For women who already have lab results, Parsley Health clinicians can also help review and interpret existing tests, providing clarity around what is relevant and what may need further evaluation.
Focusing on Long-Term Hormone Health
The goal of evaluating testosterone levels is not simply to optimize a number on a lab report. It is to support how the body functions as a whole and how a person feels day to day.
A personalized, clinician-guided approach can help women understand how testosterone fits into their overall hormone landscape and identify meaningful, sustainable ways to support balance over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Testosterone Levels in Women
What is a normal testosterone level for a woman?
Most labs define normal testosterone levels in women as falling roughly between 15 and 70 ng/dL, though reference ranges vary by lab and testing method. These ranges reflect population averages, not what is necessarily optimal for every individual.
A result within the normal range does not always explain symptoms such as low energy or reduced libido. Symptoms, life stage, and overall hormone balance are important parts of interpretation.
How much testosterone does a woman have compared to a man?
Women naturally have much lower testosterone levels than men. Adult women typically have testosterone levels that are about 10 to 20 times lower than those seen in adult men.
Despite the lower levels, testosterone plays an important role in women’s health, and even small changes can sometimes have noticeable effects.
What are average testosterone levels in females by age?
Average testosterone levels in females tend to be higher during the reproductive years and gradually decline with age. Levels often change more noticeably during perimenopause and menopause, when ovarian hormone production decreases.
Age-based averages provide helpful context, but they do not determine how a woman should feel or function. Individual variation is significant.
Is testosterone important for women?
Yes. Testosterone supports energy, muscle and bone strength, sexual health, mood, and cognitive function in women. It works alongside estrogen and progesterone as part of a balanced hormone system.
Testosterone is not only a reproductive hormone. It plays a role in overall health and well-being throughout a woman’s life.
Can testosterone levels be too low in women?
Yes, testosterone levels in women can be low, particularly during hormonal transitions such as perimenopause or menopause. Low levels may be associated with symptoms like fatigue, low libido, or reduced motivation, though these symptoms can also have other causes.
This is why low testosterone is best evaluated in the context of symptoms and overall hormone balance rather than diagnosed based on a single lab value.
Can testosterone levels be too high in women?
Yes. Elevated testosterone levels in women can be associated with symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth, or menstrual irregularities. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are commonly linked to higher testosterone levels, though not all women with elevated levels have PCOS.
As with low testosterone, elevated levels require careful interpretation and context.
Does testosterone change during menopause?
Yes. Testosterone levels often decline during perimenopause and menopause as ovarian hormone production decreases. After menopause, the adrenal glands become the primary source of testosterone.
These changes can contribute to symptoms, but experiences vary widely from person to person.
How is testosterone tested in women?
Testosterone is measured with a blood test, typically assessing total testosterone and sometimes free testosterone. Because levels are low in women, testing accuracy and interpretation are especially important.
If results are unclear or do not align with symptoms, repeat testing may be helpful to confirm patterns over time.
Can lifestyle changes affect testosterone levels in women?
Lifestyle factors such as sleep quality, stress, metabolic health, physical activity, and nutrition can influence hormone balance, including testosterone levels. While results vary, addressing these areas can support overall hormonal health.
Because testosterone interacts with many systems, changes often come from improving whole-body health rather than targeting testosterone alone.
