• Skip to main content

Cycle Harmony

Create. Love. Flourish. Be.

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Blog
  • What’s New
    • Vaginal Discharge
    • Fertility and Pregnancy
    • PMS | PMDD
    • Period Symptoms
    • Menstrual Irregularities
    • Hormone Imbalance
    • Health and Healing
You are here: Home / Hormone Imbalance / What Does Low Testosterone Do to a Woman

What Does Low Testosterone Do to a Woman

Last updated on April 12, 2019 By Jing 6 Comments

A few years ago I experienced what low testosterone felt like. It affected me sexually, physically, mentally and emotionally, in profound ways.

what does low testosterone do to a woman

A few years ago, I felt lethargic and a bit depressed, lacking my usual enthusiasm, optimism, and zest for life.

I went to see my doctor to find out what was going on. He ordered a panel of blood tests, which revealed that my testosterone level was slightly below the normal range.

Before that, testosterone had barely crossed my mind. I was primarily concerned about estrogen and progesterone – the pair of hormones that help regulate my menstrual cycles.

Testosterone? It’s something only guys should be worrying about, right?

Not so. As it turns out, testosterone also plays an important role in the lives of women. Too much or too little of it can throw our worlds upside down.

The Roles of Testosterone in Women

Estrogen is the female (yin) hormone that gives a woman her lovely feminine physique and the ability to conceive. It moistens her vagina, secrets cervical fluids, and prepares her for sexual union.

Testosterone, on the other hand, is the male (yang) hormone that stimulates her sexual desire and propels her into action. It also enhances the sensitivity of her nipples and clitoris, which gives her sexual pleasure.

In addition to its role in sexuality, testosterone also helps a woman build up bone density and muscle mass, and increases her energy level (the yang aspect of her being)…

The eternal dance of yin and yang on display again. And yet another brilliant design by the timeless intelligence of Mother Nature.

What’s the Normal Level of Testosterone in Women

I once met a ballet dancer who claimed that she had more testosterone than an average woman because of her high sex drive and energy level. I gave her credit for her level of self-awareness.

But there is a more objective way to gauge your testosterone level – a blood test, which is commonly employed by doctors as a diagnostic tool.

According to University of Rochester Medical Center, the T Level range for an average adult female is between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL.

Note that this is a wide range. Some women do have more testosterone than others. So, the degree of change in the testosterone levels over time is more meaningful than an absolute number in isolation.

What Does Low Testosterone Do to a Woman

Given the roles testosterone plays in a woman, it’s not difficult to deduce how low testosterone can affect her sexually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Signs of low testosterone in women often manifest as:

  • Sexual changes, such as low libido or reduced sexual pleasure
  • Physical changes, like increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and decreased bone density
  • Mental and emotional changes, such as low self-confidence or lack of motivation

The symptoms of low testosterone are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed for women because they can be mistaken for stress, depression, and the side effects of menopausal changes.

So, if you experience any of the above symptoms for a prolonged period of time and are not able to pinpoint the cause, it may be a good idea to get your testosterone level tested.

Causes of Low Testosterone in Women

Like estrogen, testosterone is also produced in the ovaries and by the adrenal glands. The reduced functions of these organs are likely to lead to a lower testosterone level.

Below are the four most common causes of low testosterone in women:

Aging:

A woman’s ovarian functions naturally decline as she gets older, producing less estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. By the time she reaches perimenopause and menopause, her testosterone level can be reduced by 50% or more.

Surgical Removal of Ovaries or Uterus:

Since testosterone is primarily produced in the ovaries (which are closely connected with the uterus), either an ovariohysterectomy (removal of ovaries) or a hysterectomy (removal of uterus) will cause a significant decline in testosterone levels.

Adrenal Fatigue:

Adrenal grands release hormones such as cortisol to help us deal with stress. High levels of stress call for a larger quality of cortisol, which consumes more of the same precursors that are also used to produce sex hormones. As a result, adrenal fatigue often leads to estrogen and progesterone deficiencies, as well as lower testosterone levels (as in my case a few years back).

Pituitary Disease (Hypopituitarism):

The pituitary gland is the master control center for the release of pretty much all hormones. A malfunction in this area can reduce hormone productions, including testosterone.

Since our body is an integrated whole, chronic illnesses or medications may also affect testosterone levels. Be sure to discuss the possible correlations with your doctor if you have any underlining conditions.

What to Do if Your Testosterone Level is Low

If your testosterone level is low, talk to your doctor and get his inputs on what you can do to help improve its production. He may recommend taking DHEA (the precursor for sex hormones) or using Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Meanwhile, take good care of your ovaries and uterus, as well as your adrenal glands. When you do, they’ll take care of you – which means harmonious cycles, natural fertility, healthy sexuality, strong bones and muscles, balanced moods, and vibrant energy.

Hormone Balance Kit

Boost Progesterone

Chasteberry (proven to help treat low progesterone and regulate menstrual cycles in more than 60 years of clinical research, including 5 randomized trials)

Vitamin B6 (one of the best vitamins to boost progesterone)

Progesterone Cream (bio-identical hormonal support)

Reduce Estrogen Dominance

Liver Cleanse Detox and Repair Formula (support liver functions)

Dim Plus (improve estrogen metabolism)

Support Adrenal and Thyroid Functions

Adrenal Health Daily Support  (promote overall hormone balance)

Thyroid Support Complex (support energy and metabolism)

Balance Nutrition

Once Daily Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplement (provide essential nutrients for health and hormone balance)

Liquid Iron (support healthy blood)

Omega 3 Fish Oil (reduce inflammation and promote overall health)

Spiralina (help purify the blood and reduce inflammation and oxidation)

Recommended Reading

The Hormone Cure, by Dr. Sara Gottfried

Cooking for Hormone Balance, by Magdalena Wszelaki

 8     

Related Posts

  • Signs of Estrogen Dominance or Deficiency
  • Common Signs of Progesterone Deficiency
  • 7 Most Common Signs of Adrenal Fatigue
  • Thyroid and Menstrual Cycles: Symptoms of a Sluggish Thyroid and What to Do About It
  • 5 Perimenopause Symptoms You Should Know About
  • Low Blood Sugar: A Common Cause of Hormone Imbalance
  • Do You Have Low Progesterone or High Estrogen
  • Are You A Hormonally Vulnerable Woman?
  • What Are Symptoms of Low Progesterone in Perimenopause
  • Low Progesterone Insomnia

Please help us educate other women in your circle. Thank you!

Hi, this is Jing. I created Cycle Harmony to share what I've learned to live in harmony with my body - and my life. Join us and share yours @facebook.com/cycleharmony!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Leigh says

    February 22, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    this content is amazing! i had the exact same issue many years back.

    Reply
  2. Rita says

    July 18, 2018 at 3:21 am

    I am really happy I found your site. Dont know how it crossed to me but I am really grateful it did. It’s very educational and I don’t feel abnormal with my body and emotional changes. Thank you Jing for your website.

    Reply
    • Jing says

      July 19, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      Hi Rita, I’m so happy that you’ve found Cycle Harmony too. Let me know if you have any questions. I often write posts based on questions and concerns from our community. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Anne says

    July 11, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    Thanks always for these articles. I have been struggling with infertility issues for 3 years now. I haven’t concieved even with the help of iui. But I notice that am frequently having yeast infection, it has become chronic coz each month around my period I must have it. Been taking treatment from hospital(antibiotics) it goes for a little while but comes back. I have also been keen on my vaginal hygiene and now am just wondering if this could be due to my hormones?

    Reply
    • Jing says

      July 12, 2018 at 12:54 am

      Hi Anne, frequent yeast infection could be related to estrogen, which also affects fertility. You may want to get your hormone levels tested. Check out the eight common causes of yeast infection and how to treat yeast infection with home remedies.

      Reply
    • Jing says

      July 12, 2018 at 12:57 am

      Since yeast infection could be due to low estrogen level, see if you have other estrogen deficiency symptoms and natural treatment for low estrogen.

      Reply
cycle harmony amazon store

Let’s Connect

Facebook Pinterest Youtube Envelope Rss

FACE YOUR PAIN

 

Vaginal Discharge

 

Fertility and Pregnancy

 

PMS/PMDD

 

Period Symptoms

 

Menstrual Irregularities

 

Hormone Imbalance

BEGIN TO HEAL

 

Menstrual Health

 

Menstrual Tracking

 

Mind Body Healing

 

Nutrition and Recipes

 

Healthy Lifestyle

 

Emotional Wellbeing

 

Relationships

 

Menstrual Myths and Rituals

 

Red Tent

LIVE IN THE FLOW

 

Create. Love. Flourish. Be.

 

ABOUT

 

About Cycle Harmony

 

Our Amazon Storefront

 

Contact Us

 

Connect with Us on Facebook

 

Site Map

CycleHarmonylogo150

Copyright © 2022 — CycleHarmony • All rights reserved. • Terms • Privacy Policy 

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jing Jin and her community. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.