Most people identify testosterone as a male hormone. However, it is also produced in small amounts by a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands.
Since there is a considerable difference in testosterone levels between the sexes, female patients frequently ask: What are normal hormone levels for women?
Continue reading to find out the answer to this question and learn what elevated testosterone levels can mean for women.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted from tissue and travel within bodily fluids to affect tissue in another part of the body.
Sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, are released in short bursts and their levels can vary throughout the day and course of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
What Are Normal Hormone Levels for Women?
Because women produce significantly less testosterone than men, female patients often want to know: What are normal hormone levels for women?
Normal testosterone levels in men are around 280 to 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
In comparison, normal testosterone levels in women fall between 15 and 70 nanograms per deciliter.
That being said, testosterone levels can fluctuate throughout the day, as well as from one day to the next, and are typically at their highest level in the morning.
What Are Symptoms of High Testosterone in Women?
When women experience testosterone levels that are higher than normal, they may start to notice changes in their physical appearance, including:
- Acne
- Thinning hair on the head
- Excess hair on the face and body
- Increased muscle mass
- Reduction in breast size
Other symptoms of high testosterone in women, include: Irregular periods, loss of libido, mood changes, and a deeper voice.
Learn More
If you have noticed any of the aforementioned symptoms and are concerned about your hormone levels, please call our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with board-certified gynecologist and hormone specialist Dr. Melinda Hall