Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsPotential CausesMedical TreatmentsNatural MethodsLevels in WomenComplicationsTestingWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs and Symptoms
Potential Causes
Medical Treatments
Natural Methods
Levels in Women
Complications
Testing
When to See a Provider
Low testosterone, also known ashypogonadism, is a condition in which the body produces less than needed levels of testosterone, a sex hormone. According to studies, the prevalence of low testosterone in males over 40 is approximately 25%, although it causes symptoms in only 6% to 12%.
Low testosterone has several causes and symptoms, varying between females and males. It also increases the risk of certain health conditions.
A Note on Sex and Gender TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Sex and Gender Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Symptoms in Males
Testosterone is produced in the testes. It drives the formation of many male characteristics, such as facial hair. When a male’s testosterone levels drop, calledmale hypogonadism, it can lead to one or many symptoms.
Symptoms of low testosteronein males can include:
Symptoms in Females
When a female has low testosterone, it can present with vague symptoms, making it difficult to determine the cause.
Symptoms of low testosterone in females may include:
Testosterone levels naturally decrease, starting in the 30s and 40s for males.Yet, other causes of low testosterone can include medical conditions, external factors such as stress, or medications.
Other than aging, potential causes of low testosterone in males include:
The causes of low testosterone in females include:
A healthcare provider can evaluate if a person has low testosterone and what may be causing it. Once the cause is determined, the right treatment course can be decided. Below are medical treatments that can be used totreat low testosterone.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)is a treatment that uses testosterone given through an injection (subcutaneous or intramuscular), pill, patch, gel, buccal spray (applied between the gums and cheek), or pellets (implant).
TRT can alleviate low testosterone symptoms and help keep muscles and bones strong. It tends to be more effective withyoung males with very low testosterone.
TRT has risks, including the following:
Symptoms should improve within three months of treatment. If they do not improve, it is less likely that TRT will work for you.
Who Should Not Take Testosterone?
Females need to work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider before treating their low testosterone.
Things You Can Do to Raise Levels Naturally
Lifestyle habits arenatural ways to help raise testosterone levels. Most of these habits would benefit anyone’s overall health, but they can specifically help those with low testosterone:
What Are Normal Testosterone Levels in Women?
Testosterone levels are typically taken in the morning when they tend to be higher.Blood is drawnfrom a vein and sent to a laboratory.
Normal results for total testosterone levelsin females are 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
Females have much lower serum testosterone than males, making accurate testing difficult.To understand the next steps, be sure to review the results with a healthcare provider.
Low Testosterone May Lead to Serious Conditions
As males and females age, testosterone naturally decreases. Many times, this goes unnoticed and does not need treatment. However, for some people, this decrease in hormone levels causes significant concerns.
In females, low testosterone can causeinfertility.
In males, low testosterone can cause infertility,osteoporosis(progressive bone thinning), muscle weakness, and erectile dysfunction.
Testing Options
Testosterone testing is performed in a clinic or hospital setting. A medical worker, usually a phlebotomist, draws blood from a vein and sends it to a laboratory for testing.
A healthcare provider may also want to test for pituitary function,follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), andluteinizing hormone(LH) levels.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It can be difficult to narrow down a health condition when someone is experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone. Weakness, fatigue, and low sex drive are a few of the many signs of low testosterone, but they can also be signs of other health conditions.
If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, contact a healthcare provider. They can assess your symptoms, review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and order appropriate tests. Once a diagnosis is reached, they can recommend treatment.
Summary
Low testosterone occurs naturally as people age. In some people it may not cause symptoms, however, in others it can cause a series of symptoms and health conditions. If someone believes they have low testosterone, they should contact a healthcare provider for testing, determining the cause, and follow-up treatment.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alibhai SMH.Testosterone replacement in men with hypogonadism and effects on anemia—blood, sex, and aging.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2339969. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39969MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?Kaiser Permanente.Low testosterone in women - symptoms and causes.Veterans Affairs.Improving low testosterone naturally.University of Rochester Medical Center.Total testosterone.Tyagi V, Scordo M, Yoon RS, Liporace FA, Greene LW.Revisiting the role of testosterone: are we missing something?Rev Urol. 2017;19(1):16-24. doi:10.3909/riu0716MedlinePlus.Hypogonadism.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alibhai SMH.Testosterone replacement in men with hypogonadism and effects on anemia—blood, sex, and aging.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2339969. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39969MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?Kaiser Permanente.Low testosterone in women - symptoms and causes.Veterans Affairs.Improving low testosterone naturally.University of Rochester Medical Center.Total testosterone.Tyagi V, Scordo M, Yoon RS, Liporace FA, Greene LW.Revisiting the role of testosterone: are we missing something?Rev Urol. 2017;19(1):16-24. doi:10.3909/riu0716MedlinePlus.Hypogonadism.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Alibhai SMH.Testosterone replacement in men with hypogonadism and effects on anemia—blood, sex, and aging.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2339969. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39969MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?Kaiser Permanente.Low testosterone in women - symptoms and causes.Veterans Affairs.Improving low testosterone naturally.University of Rochester Medical Center.Total testosterone.Tyagi V, Scordo M, Yoon RS, Liporace FA, Greene LW.Revisiting the role of testosterone: are we missing something?Rev Urol. 2017;19(1):16-24. doi:10.3909/riu0716MedlinePlus.Hypogonadism.
Alibhai SMH.Testosterone replacement in men with hypogonadism and effects on anemia—blood, sex, and aging.JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2339969. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39969
MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?
Kaiser Permanente.Low testosterone in women - symptoms and causes.
Veterans Affairs.Improving low testosterone naturally.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Total testosterone.
Tyagi V, Scordo M, Yoon RS, Liporace FA, Greene LW.Revisiting the role of testosterone: are we missing something?Rev Urol. 2017;19(1):16-24. doi:10.3909/riu0716
MedlinePlus.Hypogonadism.
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