Ask most people what testosterone is, and they'll say "the male hormone." That's only half true. Women make testosterone too, and far from being a leftover or an oddity, it's one of the hormones your body relies on every day for desire, drive, strength and clarity. The amounts are small, but the impact is real. Let's clear up the confusion.

Yes, women produce testosterone — here's where

Women absolutely produce testosterone, just in much smaller quantities than men. It's made mainly in two places: your ovaries and your adrenal glands (small glands that sit on top of your kidneys), with a little produced in other tissues around the body. Testosterone belongs to a group of hormones called androgens — often labelled "male" hormones, but genuinely necessary for women too.

Sources: Low Testosterone in Women — Cleveland Clinic; Testosterone Levels in Women — Mayo Clinic Press. Women produce testosterone in the ovaries and adrenal glands, in much smaller amounts than men.

Do women produce testosterone?
Yes. Women produce testosterone, just in much smaller amounts than men. It is made mainly in the ovaries and the adrenal glands, with some produced in other tissues. Although testosterone is thought of as a male hormone, it is one of several androgens that are essential for women's health, supporting libido, mood, energy, bone strength, muscle and cognition.

Do women produce testosterone on their period?

Yes — your body makes testosterone all the time, including during your period. Testosterone doesn't switch on and off; it's always present, just at gently shifting levels across your cycle. It tends to be lower during menstruation, then rises toward the middle of your cycle and peaks around ovulation. That mid-cycle peak is part of why many women notice their libido and energy lift around ovulation. So you're never "without" testosterone; the level simply ebbs and flows.

This is one of the loveliest examples of cycle awareness in action: that mid-cycle confidence and drive isn't random, it's testosterone (alongside estrogen) doing its thing. We explain the desire side of this in does progesterone increase libido.

Testosterone never switches off. It's with you every day of your cycle, quietly rising toward ovulation, which is part of why mid-cycle can feel like your boldest week.
Do women produce testosterone on their period?
Yes, women produce testosterone throughout the entire menstrual cycle, including during their period. Testosterone levels fluctuate across the cycle rather than switching on and off. They tend to be lower during menstruation and rise toward the middle of the cycle, peaking around ovulation, which is part of why libido often increases mid-cycle. So testosterone is always present, just at gently changing levels.

Why women need testosterone — what it actually does

Here's where testosterone earns its place. In women, it supports a surprisingly wide range of things: sexual desire and arousal (it's one of the main libido hormones), mood and a sense of wellbeing, energy and vitality, bone density, muscle mass and strength, and cognitive function like focus and mental clarity. It also helps your ovaries function properly and works in balance with estrogen and progesterone. So while the quantity is small, testosterone is woven into how strong, clear, motivated and interested-in-life you feel.

Sources: Testosterone & Estrogen in Women — WebMD; Low Testosterone in Women — Cleveland Clinic. Testosterone supports libido, mood, energy, bone and muscle health and cognition in women.

What does testosterone do for women?
In women, testosterone supports sexual desire and arousal, mood and a sense of wellbeing, energy and vitality, bone density, muscle mass and strength, and cognitive function. It also contributes to the healthy functioning of the ovaries and works in balance with estrogen and progesterone. Although the amounts are small, testosterone is genuinely important for women's physical and mental health.

What's a normal testosterone level for women?

Normal total testosterone in women is generally around 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) — roughly 0.5 to 2.4 nanomoles per litre — though the exact reference range varies between laboratories. An important pattern: testosterone is naturally higher in younger women and declines gradually with age, so a woman in her forties or fifties typically has lower levels than she did in her twenties. This decline is normal and gradual, unlike the steeper estrogen drop at menopause. The only way to know your level is a blood test, interpreted by a doctor in the context of your symptoms.

Source: Normal Testosterone and Estrogen Levels in Women — WebMD. Normal total testosterone in women is about 15–70 ng/dL; levels decline with age.

What is a normal testosterone level for women?
Normal total testosterone in women is generally around 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), or about 0.5 to 2.4 nanomoles per litre, though exact reference ranges vary between laboratories. Levels are naturally higher in younger women and decline gradually with age, so a woman in midlife typically has lower testosterone than in her twenties. Only a blood test interpreted by a doctor can tell you your own level.

When the balance tips too low or too high

Like any hormone, testosterone is about balance. Too little can affect your libido, energy, mood and strength; too much (as in conditions like PCOS) can cause symptoms like irregular periods and excess hair. Both are worth understanding, and we cover each in detail: the signs and side effects of low testosterone in women, and what high testosterone in women looks like. If you're curious whether testosterone can be supplemented, we look honestly at the evidence in should women take testosterone.

About the author

Andreea Mighiu is a women's hormonal health educator and the founder of Zōē. She works alongside medical doctors to translate peer-reviewed research into clear, practical cycle education. She is an educator, not a physician — Zōē's content is designed to inform, not to replace personalised medical advice.

References

1. Low Testosterone in Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. my.clevelandclinic.org
2. Testosterone Levels in Women. Mayo Clinic Press. mcpress.mayoclinic.org
3. Normal Testosterone and Estrogen Levels in Women. WebMD. webmd.com

This article is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Questions about your own testosterone levels or symptoms should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.