Females With Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Causes & More
Many women are surprised when I tell them that testosterone isn't just a male hormone.
In fact, testosterone plays an important role in a woman's overall health and well-being. Yet it's one of the most overlooked hormones when women begin experiencing symptoms like fatigue, decreased motivation, reduced libido, difficulty building muscle, stubborn weight gain, or simply feeling "off."
Over the years, I've met countless women who were told their symptoms were simply a normal part of aging, stress, motherhood, or menopause. While those factors certainly play a role,
hormone health is often a missing piece of the puzzle.
Low Testosterone Symptoms in Women: Quick Checklist
Women with low testosterone may experience one or several of the following symptoms:
✓ Persistent fatigue or low energy
✓ Reduced libido or changes in sexual wellness
✓ Difficulty building or maintaining muscle
✓ Increased body fat or changes in body composition
✓ Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
✓ Reduced motivation or drive
✓ Slower recovery from exercise
✓ Mood changes or decreased sense of well-being
✓ Declining strength despite regular activity
✓ Feeling unlike yourself without a clear explanation
As awareness continues to grow, more women are discovering that
low testosterone may be contributing to
symptoms that affect their quality of life every day.
Can Women Have Low Testosterone?
Absolutely.
Although women naturally produce much less testosterone than men, the hormone remains essential throughout life.
In women, testosterone is primarily produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It helps support:
- Energy levels
- Sexual wellness and libido
- Muscle maintenance
- Exercise recovery
- Bone health
- Motivation and drive
- Mood and overall sense of well-being
- Healthy body composition
When testosterone levels decline or become imbalanced, women may begin experiencing symptoms that can be subtle at first but become increasingly noticeable over time.
Why Are More Women Being Diagnosed With Low Testosterone?
The answer is simple: we're finally talking about it.
For years, conversations surrounding women's hormones focused almost exclusively on estrogen and progesterone. While those hormones are certainly important, testosterone is also a critical part of the equation.
Today, healthcare providers and patients alike have a better understanding of how testosterone influences overall health in women. As a result, more women are seeking evaluations when symptoms begin affecting their daily lives.
Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Women
Low testosterone symptoms in women can vary significantly from person to person.
Some women experience only one or two symptoms. Others notice changes across multiple areas of their health.
Common symptoms may include:
Persistent Fatigue
Feeling tired after a long day is normal.
Feeling exhausted despite adequate sleep is not.
Many women with low testosterone report a noticeable decline in energy that affects work, exercise, family life, and daily responsibilities.
Reduced Motivation and Drive
One of the most common descriptions I hear from patients is:
"I just don't feel like myself anymore."
Women often describe a loss of motivation, ambition, confidence, or enthusiasm for activities they once enjoyed.
Decreased Libido
Changes in sexual desire are common as hormones fluctuate.
While libido is influenced by many factors, including stress, sleep, relationship health, and overall wellness, testosterone plays a significant role in sexual function for women.
Difficulty Maintaining Muscle
Muscle health becomes increasingly important as we age.
Testosterone helps support lean muscle mass, strength, and recovery from exercise. Low levels may contribute to a gradual decline in muscle tone and physical performance.
Increased Body Fat or Changes in Body Composition
Many women notice that maintaining their weight becomes more difficult despite consistent nutrition and exercise habits.
Hormones are not the only factor affecting body composition, but they can certainly influence how the body stores and utilizes energy.
Brain Fog and Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue are symptoms that many women do not immediately associate with hormone health.
Yet cognitive changes are commonly reported by women experiencing hormone imbalances.
Is It Just Aging?
Not necessarily.
One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is the belief that feeling worse with age is inevitable.
While hormonal changes naturally occur throughout life, symptoms should not simply be dismissed because someone is getting older.
Women often experience hormone shifts during:
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- Surgical menopause
- Significant stress
- Chronic illness
- Certain medications
- Major life transitions
The goal isn't to stop aging. The goal is to help women maintain their health, vitality, and quality of life as they age.
Why Hormone Testing Doesn't Always Tell the Whole Story
This is where things become more complex.
Many patients assume that a single blood test provides all the answers.
In reality, hormone optimization requires looking at both laboratory values and symptoms.
Two women with similar testosterone levels may feel completely different. That's why a comprehensive evaluation should consider:
- Symptoms
- Medical history
- Lifestyle factors
- Sleep quality
- Exercise habits
- Nutrition
- Other hormone levels
Treating lab numbers without understanding the whole person often leads to incomplete answers.
The Importance of Looking Beyond Testosterone
Hormones function as a team.
When evaluating women who may have low testosterone, I also consider other factors that can influence how they feel, including:
- Estrogen balance
- Progesterone levels
- Thyroid health
- Cortisol and stress
- Sleep quality
- Nutrition
- Muscle mass
- Metabolic health
In many cases, symptoms are not caused by a single hormone deficiency but by multiple factors working together.
This is why personalized care matters.
What Should Women Do If They Suspect Low Testosterone?
The first step is not to self-diagnose.
If you've noticed ongoing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, speak with a qualified healthcare provider experienced in hormone health.
A comprehensive evaluation can help identify whether low testosterone, another hormone imbalance, or an entirely different health concern may be contributing to your symptoms.
Most importantly, don't assume that feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or disconnected from yourself is simply something you have to accept.
A Better Approach to Women's Hormone Health
At Chronos Body, Health & Wellness, our goal is not simply to review lab work.
We focus on understanding the entire picture.
That includes evaluating symptoms, reviewing health history, assessing lifestyle factors, and developing personalized strategies that support long-term wellness.
Whether a woman is experiencing changes related to perimenopause, menopause, hormone imbalance, weight management, fitness performance, or healthy aging, our approach centers on helping patients feel like the best version of themselves, inside and out.
Final Thoughts
Women deserve to understand all aspects of their health, including hormones that have historically received less attention.
If you've been feeling tired, struggling with motivation, noticing changes in body composition, or simply feeling unlike yourself, it may be worth taking a closer look.
Low testosterone in women is more common than many people realize, and understanding the role hormones play in overall wellness is often the first step toward finding answers.
You don't have to settle for feeling less than your best.
Written by Mace Scott, MD
Founder and Medical Director at Chronos Body Health & Wellness
Focus: medical weight loss, hormone optimization, wellness medicine, aesthetics
Updated: June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered low testosterone in women?
Testosterone levels can vary based on age, health status, and laboratory reference ranges. Symptoms often provide important context alongside laboratory testing.
Can low testosterone cause weight gain in women?
Hormones can influence body composition, muscle maintenance, metabolism, and energy levels. While weight gain is usually multifactorial, low testosterone may contribute to changes in body composition in some women.
Can low testosterone cause fatigue in women?
Many women with low testosterone report low energy and reduced motivation. However, fatigue can have many causes, which is why a comprehensive evaluation is important.
What age do women start losing testosterone?
Testosterone production naturally declines with age and may become more noticeable during perimenopause and menopause.
How is low testosterone diagnosed in women?
Diagnosis typically involves reviewing symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and laboratory testing to develop a complete picture of a woman's hormone health.
A Note From Dr. Mace Scott, M.D.
Over the years, I've evaluated thousands of patients seeking answers for fatigue, weight changes, hormone concerns, and healthy aging. One common misconception I see is that testosterone only matters for men. In reality, testosterone plays an important role in a woman's overall health, and low levels can contribute to symptoms that are often dismissed as stress or simply getting older. My goal is to help women better understand their hormones so they can make informed decisions about their health.
