Do Women Have Testosterone? Female Androgen Production Explained

Medical Summary

Medically reviewed by Dr Raphael Olaiya. Women do have testosterone, and it is a normal, necessary androgen involved in sexual desire, bone health, muscle maintenance, energy, mood and aspects of cognitive function. In females, testosterone is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands and through conversion from hormone precursors in peripheral tissues, with circulating concentrations typically much lower than in males.^[5] Clinical concern can arise when testosterone is persistently low and associated with symptoms, or when it is high and linked with features such as acne, hirsutism, irregular periods or polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS.^[4] Treatment decisions should be based on symptoms, medical history and validated blood testing, not guesswork, particularly around perimenopause and menopause.^[1][2][6][7]

Yes, Women Have Testosterone

If you have ever searched “do women have testosterone”, the short answer is yes. Not a tiny accidental amount, not a male-only hormone that somehow appears in women, but a real and biologically useful hormone made by the female body every day. Testosterone belongs to a group of hormones called androgens. Androgens are often described as “male hormones”, but that label is too simplistic. Women and men both make and use androgens, just in different amounts and patterns.

The better question is not “do females have testosterone?” but “what is testosterone doing in a female body?” The answer is broader than libido, although sexual desire is one of the better-known effects. Testosterone helps support muscle, bone, motivation, mental sharpness, energy, arousal and tissue sensitivity. It also acts as a building block for oestrogen in some tissues, which means female hormones are not separate islands. They talk to each other constantly.

This page explains female androgen production from the ground up. It covers where testosterone is made, how levels compare with men, why it changes across life, what can happen when levels are too low or too high, and how testing fits into a sensible medical assessment. If you want detailed reference ranges, see our guide to testosterone levels in women. This article focuses on the biology and the common misconception that testosterone is somehow irrelevant to female health.

What Testosterone Means In A Female Body

Testosterone is a steroid hormone made from cholesterol. That does not mean eating cholesterol-rich foods directly raises testosterone in a simple way. It means the body uses cholesterol as the raw material from which steroid hormones are built, including progesterone, cortisol, oestrogen and testosterone. The final hormone level you see on a blood test reflects production, conversion, binding proteins, metabolism and clearance.

In women, testosterone circulates in several forms. Some is bound tightly to sex hormone-binding globulin, often shortened to SHBG. Some is loosely attached to albumin. A very small proportion is free, meaning it is not bound to a carrier protein. Free and loosely bound testosterone are usually considered more biologically available to tissues, although interpretation is more complicated in women because levels are lower and assays can be less precise at the female range.

When people ask “do women have testosterone hormone?”, they often picture testosterone as something that automatically causes facial hair, a deep voice or bulky muscle. In reality, normal female testosterone does not behave like anabolic steroid use or very high androgen exposure. It works quietly, often in balance with oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, insulin and other signalling systems. When the balance is right, you may not notice testosterone at all. When it is disrupted, the symptoms can be surprisingly wide-ranging.

Where Do Women Produce Testosterone?

So, do women produce testosterone themselves? Yes. Female testosterone comes from three main sources: the ovaries, the adrenal glands and peripheral conversion in tissues such as fat, skin, muscle and the liver. A useful rule of thumb is that around a quarter comes from the ovaries, around a quarter comes from the adrenal glands, and roughly half comes from conversion of precursor hormones in peripheral tissues. These figures are approximate, because production varies by age, menstrual cycle stage, medication use and health status.

Source	Approximate Contribution	What Happens There
Ovaries	About 25%	The ovarian theca cells produce androgens, including testosterone and precursors that can be converted into oestrogen.
Adrenal glands	About 25%	The adrenal cortex makes androgen precursors such as DHEA and androstenedione, which can contribute to circulating testosterone.
Peripheral conversion	About 50%	Tissues around the body convert precursor hormones into testosterone or into other active hormones depending on enzyme activity.

The ovaries are often associated with oestrogen and ovulation, but they also have a meaningful androgen role. Inside the ovary, luteinising hormone stimulates theca cells to produce androgen precursors. Granulosa cells can then use an enzyme called aromatase to convert some of those androgens into oestrogen. This is one reason the idea of “testosterone or oestrogen” does not really fit female biology. The body often needs androgen production to make enough oestrogen locally.

The adrenal glands sit above the kidneys and produce cortisol, aldosterone and adrenal androgens. Their androgen output is not identical to ovarian testosterone production, but it matters. DHEA and DHEA-S, for example, can be converted into testosterone in other tissues. Adrenal androgen production is one reason some women continue to have measurable testosterone after menopause, even when ovarian hormone output has changed significantly.

Peripheral conversion is the part many people miss. Hormones are not only made in the classic endocrine glands. Enzymes in local tissues can activate or deactivate hormone precursors, shaping what each tissue actually “sees”. Two women can have similar total testosterone on a blood test, yet different symptoms, because tissue sensitivity, SHBG, oestrogen status, inflammation, body composition and genetics all influence the final effect.

How Much Testosterone Do Women Have?

Women have much lower testosterone concentrations than men. A typical adult female total testosterone range is often around 0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L, although exact reference intervals depend on the laboratory, test method, age and clinical context. In broad terms, women have about 10 to 20 times less circulating testosterone than adult men. For a deeper look at ranges, units, age patterns and interpretation, read our dedicated page on testosterone in women levels.

The lower number does not mean testosterone is less relevant. Hormones do not work by volume alone. Tissue sensitivity and receptor activity matter. A small concentration can be physiologically powerful when receptors are responsive and the hormone is present in the right setting. Think of it less like fuel in a tank and more like a signal in a communication system. The same signal can have a different effect depending on where it is received.

Blood tests often measure total testosterone, but clinicians may also consider SHBG, calculated free testosterone, free androgen index, DHEA-S, androstenedione, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin and thyroid function depending on symptoms. This matters because a “normal” total testosterone does not always tell the whole story. For example, high SHBG can reduce the amount of available testosterone, while low SHBG can increase androgen activity even when total testosterone is not dramatically raised.

Testing in women also needs care because testosterone concentrations are low. Some routine immunoassays are less accurate at the lower female range than specialist methods such as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, usually written as LC-MS/MS. That does not mean every woman needs the most specialist assay, but it does mean results should be interpreted alongside symptoms and the testing method, rather than treated as a standalone verdict.

What Does Testosterone Do In Women?

Testosterone has several roles in female physiology. It is not only about sex drive, and it is not a simple “more is better” hormone. Too little may contribute to symptoms for some women, while too much can cause unwanted androgenic effects. The healthiest state is usually an appropriate level for your life stage, with good receptor response and balanced interaction with other hormones.

Sexual Desire And Arousal

Testosterone is associated with sexual desire, arousal, sexual thoughts and genital tissue responsiveness. In postmenopausal women, clinical guidance recognises a role for testosterone treatment in selected cases of low sexual desire when other causes have been considered.^[2][3] Libido is not controlled by testosterone alone. Relationship factors, pain, vaginal dryness, stress, depression, sleep, medication and body image can all play a part. Still, for some women, androgen deficiency is a real piece of the puzzle.

Bone Density

Female bone health is strongly influenced by oestrogen, but androgens also contribute. Testosterone can act directly on bone and can also be converted into oestrogen in local tissues. After menopause, declining ovarian hormone production can accelerate bone loss, which is why NHS and NICE menopause resources discuss bone health as a key long-term concern.^[1][2] Maintaining muscle strength, adequate vitamin D, calcium intake and weight-bearing activity all work alongside hormones to support the skeleton.

Muscle Maintenance And Strength

Testosterone helps influence muscle protein synthesis, muscle repair and physical vitality. Women do not need male-range testosterone to maintain muscle, but they do need adequate androgen signalling as one part of the wider system. Resistance training is especially helpful because it gives muscle tissue a reason to stay strong. If testosterone is low, poor sleep, low protein intake, thyroid problems, iron deficiency or under-fuelling can make the same symptoms feel worse.

Mood, Motivation And Energy

Many women with hormone changes describe a flatness that is hard to explain. They may not feel depressed in the classic sense, but motivation, drive and resilience feel reduced. Testosterone interacts with neurotransmitter pathways, sleep, stress response and metabolic health, so a change in androgen status can overlap with mood and energy symptoms. The difficulty is that these symptoms are non-specific. A careful assessment should also look at thyroid disease, anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, perimenopause, burnout, medication effects and mental health.

Cognitive Function

Brain fog is a common complaint during perimenopause and menopause. Oestrogen fluctuations are a major factor, but androgen signalling may also influence focus, confidence and mental stamina. Research in this area is still developing, and testosterone should not be presented as a guaranteed fix for cognition. A more realistic view is that testosterone forms part of a hormonal network that can affect how alert, motivated and mentally steady you feel.

If you are interested in a broader hormone function overview, our guide on what testosterone does explains the hormone in more general terms. This page keeps the focus on female biology, because women’s symptoms, ranges and treatment decisions are not the same as men’s.

How Testosterone Changes Across A Woman’s Life

Female testosterone is not fixed. It changes with puberty, menstrual cycling, pregnancy, contraception, illness, body composition, perimenopause and menopause. Some changes are gradual. Others feel sudden, especially when they coincide with sleep disruption, stress or gynaecological symptoms. Understanding the pattern can make symptoms feel less random.

Puberty

During puberty, the ovaries and adrenal glands increase sex hormone production. Oestrogen drives breast development and the maturation of the reproductive system, while androgens contribute to pubic and underarm hair, skin oiliness, sexual maturation and growth-related changes. Acne during adolescence is partly influenced by androgen sensitivity in the skin. In most girls, this is a normal stage of development, although severe acne, rapid excess hair growth or irregular periods later on may warrant assessment.

Reproductive Years

During the reproductive years, testosterone levels can vary across the menstrual cycle. Some women notice a rise in libido around ovulation. This is likely influenced by several hormones, including oestrogen, testosterone and changes in cervical mucus and pelvic blood flow. The mid-cycle window is not the same for everyone, and contraception can alter the pattern by suppressing ovulation or changing SHBG.

Combined hormonal contraception can increase SHBG in some women, which may reduce free testosterone. Some women feel no difference, while others report changes in libido, mood or vaginal comfort. Progestogen type can also matter because different progestins have different androgenic or anti-androgenic properties. This is a good example of why a symptom-led review is better than assuming one hormone explains everything.

Pregnancy And After Birth

Pregnancy brings large shifts in oestrogen, progesterone, SHBG and adrenal hormone activity. Testosterone measurements can change, but pregnancy is a special physiological state and standard non-pregnant ranges do not apply. After birth, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, prolactin, recovery, pelvic floor symptoms and relationship changes can all affect desire and energy. A low libido in the postpartum period is common and is not automatically a testosterone problem.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. Oestrogen may swing up and down before it settles at a lower level, while progesterone often falls as ovulation becomes less regular. Testosterone tends to decline more gradually with age, but the change can become more noticeable when oestrogen is fluctuating and sleep is poor. Many women describe lower desire, reduced strength, weight distribution changes, irritability and slower recovery from exercise during this stage.

NICE guidance recognises that menopause symptoms can include low mood, anxiety, sexual difficulties, sleep disturbance, genitourinary symptoms and musculoskeletal discomfort.^[2] Testosterone is not the first or only hormone to consider, but it may become relevant when low sexual desire persists despite adequate management of other factors. A clinician should also ask about pain during sex, vaginal dryness, recurrent urinary symptoms, medicines, relationship strain and mood.

Postmenopause

Menopause is defined as 12 months after the last menstrual period, when there is no other medical cause. By menopause, ovarian testosterone production has often dropped substantially, commonly described as around 50% lower than earlier adult life. The ovaries do not simply switch off, but their hormone output changes. The adrenal glands and peripheral conversion continue to contribute, which is why women still have testosterone after menopause.

After menopause, symptoms that overlap with lower androgen activity can include reduced sexual desire, less intense arousal, reduced energy, weaker muscle, poorer exercise recovery and lower sense of wellbeing. These symptoms can also arise from low oestrogen, thyroid disease, sleep apnoea, depression, iron deficiency, chronic stress or medication. That is why a structured hormone profile and medical review can be more useful than focusing on one number.

Testosterone, Oestrogen And Progesterone Work Together

Many people ask whether women have testosterone or oestrogen. The real answer is both, plus progesterone and many other hormones. Oestrogen supports the menstrual cycle, vaginal tissues, bone, blood vessels, brain function and skin. Progesterone helps prepare the womb lining after ovulation and influences sleep, temperature and mood in some women. Testosterone contributes androgen signalling and can serve as a precursor for oestrogen production in certain tissues.

The balance between these hormones can shift symptoms. For example, a woman with low oestrogen may experience vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, which then lowers desire even if testosterone is adequate. Another woman may have high androgen activity from PCOS, with acne and irregular periods, while still having normal or high oestrogen exposure. A third may have low available testosterone because SHBG is high, even if total testosterone appears acceptable.

Insulin also plays a role, particularly in androgen excess. Insulin resistance can increase ovarian androgen production and reduce SHBG, leading to more active androgen exposure. This is one reason PCOS can involve skin symptoms, irregular ovulation and metabolic risk. If you are looking for that topic specifically, see our separate guide to high testosterone in women.

What Happens If Testosterone Is Too Low?

Low testosterone in women can be difficult to recognise because the symptoms overlap with many common conditions. Possible symptoms include low sexual desire, fewer sexual thoughts, reduced arousal, fatigue, low motivation, reduced strength, poorer recovery from exercise and a lower sense of wellbeing. Some women describe feeling “not quite themselves”, which sounds vague but can be very real when it persists.

Causes can include ageing, menopause, surgical removal of the ovaries, some pituitary conditions, adrenal disorders, certain medicines, high SHBG, undernutrition and chronic illness. Women who have had both ovaries removed may notice a more abrupt change because ovarian androgen production falls quickly. Early or surgical menopause can be particularly challenging because oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone patterns may all change at once.

A diagnosis should never be made on symptoms alone. The same complaints can come from hypothyroidism, anaemia, low ferritin, vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, depression, long-term stress, sleep problems, inflammatory illness or medication side effects. Our detailed guide to low testosterone in women covers symptoms, causes and assessment in more detail, without turning every tired day into a hormone diagnosis.

What Happens If Testosterone Is Too High?

High testosterone in women can cause a different symptom pattern. Common features include acne, oily skin, increased facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, irregular periods, absent periods and difficulty with ovulation. PCOS is one of the most common causes and is usually diagnosed using a combination of clinical features, blood tests and ultrasound findings where appropriate.^[4][8]

Not all androgen excess is PCOS. Less common causes include adrenal enzyme disorders, ovarian or adrenal tumours, Cushing syndrome and medication-related androgen exposure. Rapid onset of severe symptoms, such as sudden deepening of the voice, fast-developing facial hair or marked clitoral enlargement, needs prompt medical assessment. Those features are unusual, but they should not be ignored.

The aim is not to suppress testosterone blindly. Women need androgens. The aim is to identify whether androgen activity is appropriate, excessive or low for the individual. For more detail on symptoms, causes and testing, read high testosterone in women.

How Testosterone Is Tested In Women

A testosterone blood test can be useful when symptoms suggest low or high androgen activity, or when a clinician is monitoring treatment. Testing may include total testosterone, SHBG and calculated free testosterone or free androgen index. Depending on the question, additional tests may include oestradiol, FSH, LH, prolactin, thyroid function, HbA1c, lipids, DHEA-S, androstenedione and sometimes 17-hydroxyprogesterone.

Timing can matter. In premenopausal women with regular cycles, clinicians may choose a consistent cycle phase depending on the clinical question. If periods are irregular, the timing may be harder to standardise, but the information can still be useful. If you use hormonal contraception or HRT, your clinician needs to know because these can alter SHBG, ovarian activity and interpretation.

A single result should be read with caution. Hormone levels vary day to day, and laboratory ranges are not a perfect map of how you feel. A good assessment asks whether the number fits the symptoms, life stage, medications and medical history. If it does not fit, repeat testing or broader investigations may be needed.

Lifestyle Factors That Influence Female Androgens

Lifestyle does not override medical causes, but it can influence hormone balance and symptom severity. Sleep is a good example. Poor sleep affects cortisol, insulin sensitivity, appetite regulation, mood and sexual desire. If a woman is sleeping four or five broken hours a night, a borderline testosterone result may not explain the full picture. Improving sleep will not solve every hormone issue, but it can make the body more responsive to treatment and recovery.

Nutrition also matters. Very low energy intake, rapid weight loss, inadequate protein and restrictive dieting can disrupt reproductive hormone signalling. At the other end, insulin resistance can increase androgen activity, particularly in women prone to PCOS. A balanced diet with enough protein, fibre, micronutrients and healthy fats supports hormone production and metabolic health. If periods have stopped because of under-fuelling or overtraining, that needs proper assessment.

Exercise has a dual effect. Resistance training supports muscle, bone and insulin sensitivity, all of which are relevant to androgen function. Excessive training without adequate recovery can push the body into a stress state, affecting menstrual cycling and energy. The sweet spot is usually progressive strength work, regular movement, cardiovascular fitness and enough rest. Boring? Maybe. Effective? Often.

Alcohol, smoking, chronic stress and some medicines can also affect hormone systems. Opioids, glucocorticoids, some antidepressants, anti-epileptic medicines and hormonal contraception can all influence sexual function or hormone measurements in different ways. Never stop prescribed medication without medical advice, but do tell your clinician what you take, including supplements and over-the-counter products.

Why The Misconception Matters Clinically

The idea that testosterone is only for men can cause women’s symptoms to be dismissed. A woman with persistent low desire after menopause may be told it is “just ageing” or “just stress”, when a full assessment might identify treatable hormone changes, pain, vaginal dryness or medication effects. On the other hand, assuming every symptom is low testosterone can also cause harm. Excess treatment can lead to acne, hair growth, scalp hair loss and voice changes, some of which may be difficult to reverse.

Clinical guidance supports a cautious, evidence-based approach. NICE menopause guidance discusses testosterone supplementation as an option for low sexual desire in menopausal women when HRT alone is not effective.^[2] The global consensus statement on testosterone therapy for women supports use for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women, with careful dosing and monitoring, but does not support testosterone as a general wellbeing tonic.^[5] That distinction matters.

For women with high androgen symptoms, the misconception can work the other way. Acne, excess hair and irregular cycles may be treated as separate cosmetic or period problems, while the underlying androgen pattern is missed. PCOS, insulin resistance and other endocrine causes deserve proper attention because they can affect fertility, metabolic health and long-term wellbeing.

When To Speak To A Clinician

Consider medical advice if you have persistent low sexual desire that bothers you, unexplained fatigue, reduced strength, early menopause symptoms, symptoms after ovary removal, irregular periods, new acne, excess facial hair, scalp hair thinning or signs of rapid virilisation. Also seek help if symptoms affect your relationship, confidence or day-to-day functioning. You do not need to wait until things feel severe.

A clinician should ask about your cycle, contraception, pregnancy history, menopause stage, surgery, medicines, mental health, sleep, stress, sexual pain, vaginal symptoms, exercise, nutrition and family history. Blood testing can then be selected to answer a specific question. A good hormone assessment is not a fishing trip. It is a structured way to connect symptoms with biology.

If you want to start with a clearer picture of your hormone status, a blood test can help you have a more informed discussion. MYTRT offers testing options that can support that first step, especially if you are trying to understand whether testosterone may be part of your symptom pattern.

The Bottom Line

Women do have testosterone, and women produce testosterone naturally throughout life. It is made by the ovaries, adrenal glands and peripheral tissues, then used by the body in sexual function, muscle, bone, mood, energy and brain-related processes. Female levels are much lower than male levels, but low does not mean irrelevant.

The clinical message is balance. Too little testosterone may contribute to real symptoms in some women, especially around menopause or after ovarian surgery. Too much may cause acne, excess hair growth, irregular periods and PCOS-like features. If your body feels different and hormones are on your mind, the next sensible step is not panic or guesswork. It is a proper history, appropriate blood testing and medical interpretation.

References

• NHS, Menopause
• NICE Guideline NG23, Menopause: Identification And Management
• BSSM, Testosterone Deficiency In Women Guidelines
• Endocrine Society, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• PubMed, Global Consensus Position Statement On The Use Of Testosterone Therapy For Women
• Cleveland Clinic, Testosterone
• Mayo Clinic, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• BMJ, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome