Many people assume that testosterone is a hormone that only men create, but both men and women produce testosterone. Facial hair growth and muscle development are more pronounced in men because they create more testosterone than women. While it may be known as a male sex hormone, testosterone levels are found in women in acceptable amounts.
Identification
Testosterone is a male hormone known as an androgen, and is created in the testicles of men and in the ovaries of women. In both males and females, testosterone is also partly produced by the adrenal glands, or the small structure that sits on top of each kidney. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics in men, but in women, it is important for regulation of muscle mass, fat dissemination and the libido.
Age
According to the University of Michigan Health System, testosterone levels vary in women depending on age. Young girls who have not reached puberty have less than 10 nanograms per deciliter in the bloodstream. This level climbs following puberty and may rise to 70 ng/dL, concentrations seen in premenopausal women. Pregnancy causes testosterone levels to increase to four times the normal level. After menopause, testosterone drops, with normal levels reaching only 40 ng/dL.
Testing
The Nemours Foundation states that doctors may prescribe testosterone evaluations for women who are exhibiting masculine characteristics, such as facial hair growth or irregular menses. Two different tests exist to check levels: free testosterone and total testosterone. Free testosterone measures how much of the hormone is circulating through the body not attached to proteins for transport. Total testosterone measures the entire hormone level in the body, both the free and those bound by protein. A physician may also order other tests to determine how well the body's hormones are working together.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop functioning, ending an ability to ovulate or conceive. Because the ovaries are responsible for testosterone production, levels of the hormone decrease during menopause. Many women take estrogen replacement therapy to relieve some symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats. A decrease in testosterone may require supplementation in conjunction with estrogen replacement therapy.
Supplements
Testosterone supplements are administered as a tablet that is placed under the tongue, a gel or a dermal patch. Because testosterone supplements are often administered during menopause, the goal of therapy is to bring levels back to a state similar to premenopausal levels. The overuse of testosterone supplements can lead to excess facial hair growth, hair loss and acne. While the amount of a supplement varies for individual levels and symptoms, testosterone can enhance a woman's sex drive, restore energy and improve mental clarity.
