Testosterone Levels in Men vs Women
Testosterone Levels in Men vs Women
You might already associate testosterone with masculinity, but this hormone plays a crucial role in both males and females. It affects everything from mood and muscle development to sex drive and energy levels.[1]
So, how different is testosterone in women vs men? What happens when those levels are too high or too low?
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone belongs to a group of sex hormones called androgens, which are responsible for the development of male traits and reproductive activity.[2] It is primarily produced in the testes and is responsible for the development of features like a deeper voice, facial and body hair, increased muscle mass, and sperm production.[1]
While this hormone is often considered the “male hormone,” it’s also present in women but in much smaller amounts.[3]
In women, it is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and it plays a role in maintaining bone density, muscle strength, mood stability, and sex drive.[4]
Normal Testosterone Levels in Women vs Men
Testosterone levels vary depending on age, sex, health, and even the time of day. While both men and women produce this hormone, the normal ranges are different.[5]
Normal testosterone levels by age for males[5]
| Age range | Normal testosterone range (ng/dL) |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year old | Less than 12 |
| 1 to 5 years old | Less than 12 |
| 6 to 10 years old | Less than 25 |
| 11 to 15 years old | Less than 830 |
| 16 to 17 years old | 102 to 1010 |
| 18 to 99 years old | 193 to 824 |
Normal testosterone levels by age for females[5]
| Age range | Normal testosterone range (ng/dL) |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year old | Less than 21 |
| 1 to 5 years old | Less than 12 |
| 6 to 10 years old | Less than 25 |
| 11 to 17 years old | Less than 79 |
| 18 to 99 years old | Less than 40 |
What Causes Testosterone Levels to Fluctuate?
Testosterone levels don’t stay constant throughout life or even throughout the day. The fluctuation may be a result of a wide range of natural and lifestyle-related factors.
Age
Testosterone naturally declines with age. For men, levels typically begin to drop gradually after age 30.[6] Women may experience a dip in testosterone as they approach menopause, often affecting energy, mood, and libido.[15]
Stress and Cortisol
Chronic stress can elevate cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. High cortisol levels suppress testosterone production, potentially leading to fatigue, irritability, and low sex drive in both men and women.[8]
Diet and Nutrition
What you eat also plays a big role in hormone regulation. According to research published on PubMed Central, people who regularly consume Western-style diets rich in pastries, processed foods, and dairy desserts, and eat fewer home-cooked meals or vegetables, are more likely to have lower testosterone levels.[9]
Physical Activity and Sleep
Regular exercise, especially resistance training, can help boost testosterone naturally. On the flip side, lack of physical activity or poor sleep can lead to hormonal imbalance over time.[10]
Medical Conditions
Certain health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and pituitary gland dysfunction, can disrupt testosterone production.[11] In women, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause testosterone levels to rise above normal.[7]
Medications and Substance Use
Some medications, including corticosteroids, opioids, and chemotherapy drugs, may interfere with hormone levels. Alcohol abuse, smoking, and anabolic steroid use can also suppress natural testosterone production.[12]
Time of Day
Testosterone levels are typically highest in the early morning and decline as the day progresses.[5] That’s why testosterone tests are usually scheduled between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM for more accurate results.[13]
Symptoms of Testosterone Imbalance
Testosterone imbalance may affect your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Testosterone deficiency symptoms in men[6,14]
- Fatigue or low energy
- Decreased sex drive (low libido)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass or strength
- Mood changes (irritability, depression)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep problems such as insomnia
- Decrease in muscle size and strength
Low testosterone symptoms in women[15]
- Fatigue or low stamina
- Decreased sex drive
- Mood changes (depression, anxiety)
- Loss of muscle tone
- Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
- Trouble sleeping
- Vaginal dryness
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Thinning hair or dry skin
What Happens When Testosterone Is Too High?
Elevated testosterone levels in males are usually not caused by the body itself but often result from external factors like the use of anabolic steroids and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) taken in excess.[5]
In women, high testosterone levels are more commonly seen and usually linked to underlying health conditions like PCOS and other endocrine disorders.
Symptoms of high testosterone in females may include:[7]
- Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
- Irregular or absent periods
- Male pattern baldness
- Acne or oily skin
In cases of hyperandrogenism, these symptoms can affect fertility and overall well-being. That’s why it’s essential for women experiencing any of these signs to consult a healthcare provider and get their hormone levels tested.
When Should You See a Healthcare Provider?
Hormonal changes can be subtle, but when symptoms of testosterone imbalance in men vs women start interfering with your daily life, it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
You should consider seeing a healthcare provider if you:[6,7,14,15]
- Feel constantly tired or low on energy, despite adequate rest
- Experience a sudden drop in libido or changes in sexual function
- Notice mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Struggle with concentration or brain fog
- See unexplained weight gain, muscle loss, or body hair changes
- Have irregular menstrual cycles (for women) or erectile dysfunction (for men)
- Develop acne, oily skin, or excess body hair (especially for women)
- Have trouble building or maintaining muscle even with exercise
If any of these signs sound familiar, a simple blood test can help determine your testosterone levels. From there, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes, medication, or further evaluation to address the root cause.
Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You
While both men and women produce testosterone, the normal levels and symptoms of imbalance differ. For men, low testosterone can lead to fatigue, low libido, and muscle loss.[6,14] For women, even a slight imbalance, whether too low or too high, can impact mood, skin, menstrual health, and energy.[7,15]
The good news? You don’t have to wait for a doctor’s appointment or guess what’s going on inside your body. With the Everlywell testosterone test, you can check your hormone levels from the comfort and privacy of your home. Click here to get your Everlywell testosterone test.
References
- Harvard Health. Testosterone: What it is and how it affects your health. Published June 22, 2023. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/testosterone--what-it-does-and-doesnt-do
- Cleveland Clinic. Androgens. Published February 7, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22002-androgens
- Grainger S. Testosterone and Women - Australasian Menopause Society. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/resources/testosterone-and-women
- Kalantaridou SN, Calis KA. Testosterone therapy in premenopausal women. Semin Reprod Med. 2006;24(2):106–114. doi:10.1055/s-2006-939569.
- Cleveland Clinic. Testosterone. Published March 19, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24101-testosterone
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Could you have low testosterone? Accessed June 24, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000722.htm
- Cleveland Clinic. Hyperandrogenism. Published June 12, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24639-hyperandrogenism
- Brownlee KK, Moore AW, Hackney AC. Relationship between circulating cortisol and testosterone: influence of physical exercise. J Sports Sci Med. 2005;4(1):76–83. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3880087/
- Hu TY, Chen YC, Lin P, et al. Testosterone-associated dietary pattern predicts low testosterone levels and hypogonadism. Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1786. doi:10.3390/nu10111786.
- Riachy R, McKinney K, Tuvdendorj DR. Various factors may modulate the effect of exercise on testosterone levels in men. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2020;5(4):81. doi:10.3390/jfmk5040081.
- Crawford M, Kennedy L. Testosterone replacement therapy: role of pituitary and thyroid in diagnosis and treatment. Translational Andrology and Urology. 2016;5(6):850–858. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.09.01.
- Duca Y, Aversa A, Condorelli RA, Calogero AE, La Vignera S. Substance abuse and male hypogonadism. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019;8(5):732. doi:10.3390/jcm8050732.
- Testosterone: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003707.htm
- Hypogonadism. UCSF Department of Urology. Updated March 28, 2024. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://urology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/adult-non-cancer/male-sexual-and-reproductive-health/hypogonadism
- Low testosterone in women. Cleveland Clinic. Published June 2, 2025. Accessed June 24, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24897-low-testosterone-in-women