Not Just a Men’s Issue:

How Low Testosterone Affects Women

When you hear “testosterone,” your brain probably goes straight to men.

But here’s the truth: women produce it too, and they need it to function well. Just in smaller amounts.

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol all work together to regulate energy, mood, metabolism, recovery, and how your body handles stress. Together, they create your baseline vitality—that natural state where you feel strong, steady, and able to respond to daily life without crashing.

As we age, that hormone balance starts to shift. This shift can happen sometimes gradually, sometimes dramatically. Stress, perimenopause, birth control, and other health factors can speed up the drop in testosterone, leaving the body with less of the fuel it needs to maintain strength, recovery, and emotional stability.

When testosterone drops too low, the entire system can feel off-balance. You may not feel “sick,” but you don’t feel like yourself either.

That can look like:

•      Energy that fades by midday

• Workouts that don’t hit like they used to

• Mood swings or irritability

• Lower libido

• Pain that lingers longer than it should

Most women don’t realize testosterone is part of that foundation…until it’s missing.

The Basics: Testosterone 101 (Yes, Even for Women) 

Testosterone is often labeled the “male hormone,” but it plays a critical role in women’s health too. It’s produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and in small amounts by peripheral tissues. Though women have far less of it than men, it’s still essential for:

• Muscle and bone strength

• Mood regulation and emotional resilience

• Libido and sexual function

• Cognitive clarity and motivation

• Tissue repair and pain perception

Most of it circulates in bound form, but it’s the free testosterone (the active kind) that does the heavy lifting. And because levels are already low in women to begin with, even a slight drop can make a big difference.

Levels can drop due to:

• Hormonal birth control

• Perimenopause and menopause

• Chronic stress

• Overtraining or under-fueling

These changes are often overlooked or written off as “just getting older,” burnout, or emotional stress when, in reality, hormone shifts could be playing a central role.

Where Do You Even Find Testosterone? 

Testosterone is produced in three key places in a woman’s body:

·       Ovaries (until menopause or surgical removal)

·       Adrenal glands (especially under stress)

·       Peripheral tissues (where other hormones convert to small amounts of T)

That’s why it’s so sensitive to aging, stress, overtraining, and birth control, all of which can suppress production or block receptor function. 

What Low T Looks Like in Women

Low testosterone isn’t always obvious and it’s worth a deeper look.  Common signs include:

• Decreased motivation and drive

• Increased muscle soreness after workouts

• Drop in strength and performance

• Poor sleep and higher stress

• Chronic pain, especially joint or muscle-related

• Lower libido and emotional burnout

These symptoms can creep in subtly or show up all at once, leaving many women feeling confused, frustrated, or dismissed. Because testosterone isn’t routinely tested in most women, it’s easy to miss. You might hear, “Your labs are normal,” even when your body is clearly telling you something isn’t right.

Low testosterone in women can mimic or compound other hormone issues like low estrogen, high cortisol, or thyroid imbalances. That’s why it’s crucial to look at the whole picture and sometimes go beyond numbers.

The Testing Gap

Many women aren’t tested for testosterone, even when symptoms line up. And when levels are tested, the “normal” ranges often don’t reflect optimal function.

For a moment, let’s look at this frustrating phrase women hear far too often: “Your numbers are normal.”

The “normal range” on hormone panels is incredibly broad and often based on outdated data that doesn’t account for age, stress, or quality of life. Just because you’re technically within the range doesn’t mean your levels are optimal. You might be sitting at the very bottom of that range and still struggling with fatigue, pain, and low motivation. And still be told everything looks fine.

That’s why BodyTech encourages clients to dig deeper, track symptoms, and explore options beyond standard lab cutoffs. And why it’s important to work with hormone-informed providers who look beyond the numbers.

How to Boost T Naturally

While testosterone therapy (TRT/HRT) is one option, it’s not the only one. You can start supporting healthy levels by:

·     Lifting weights – Resistance training helps stimulate natural production

·     Improving sleep – Deep, consistent sleep supports hormone recovery

·     Eating more protein and healthy fats – Nutrients like zinc, D3, and cholesterol are needed for hormone synthesis

·     Lowering stress – High cortisol can suppress T levels fast

·     Ditching chronic cardio – Overtraining can backfire on hormone health

And if levels are still low, working with a hormone-literate practitioner can help explore HRT, bioidentical options*, or testosterone cream. Especially for women in perimenopause or postmenopause.

* Quick Note: What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

 Bioidentical hormones are custom-compounded to match the exact structure of the hormones your body naturally produces. That makes them easier for your body to recognize and use, often with fewer side effects than traditional hormone therapy.

They can be prescribed as creams, gels, pellets, or capsules, and are especially helpful for women navigating perimenopause or recovering from hormonal imbalances.

Ask your provider about bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) if you’re looking for a more personalized, hormone-informed option.

How BodyTech Can Help

At BodyTech, we understand that hormones shape how you heal, move, and feel. We don’t just treat symptoms.  We listen to your body’s patterns.

Whether you’re lifting through fatigue, navigating pain that won’t budge, or feeling like your progress has stalled, our approach meets you where you are:

·       Hormone-informed coaching that respects your physiology

·       Mobility and strength programs that rebuild energy, not deplete it

·       Recovery strategies to support your nervous system and reduce inflammation

This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about moving smarter with the right support. Because when your body is fighting for balance, you shouldn’t have to do it alone.

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Next Up: In Part 3, we’ll talk about how testosterone helps rebuild tissue, reduce inflammation, and support your healing timeline after injury.

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References:

1. Davis, S. R., et al. (2005). Testosterone and estradiol in women: effects on mood, wellbeing, and pain. Journal of Women’s Health. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2005.14.104

2. Zimmerman, Y., et al. (2014). The impact of hormonal contraceptives on testosterone levels. Human Reproduction Update. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmt038