Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Androgens are hormones that contribute to growth and reproduction in both men and women.
- Androgens are usually thought of as male hormones, but the female body naturally produces a small amount of androgens too.
- Androgen deficiency may cause tiredness and loss of sexual interest.
- If you choose to have testosterone therapy you will need close and regular monitoring to minimise your risk of side effects.
On this page
About androgen deficiency
Androgens play an important role in the female body.
Women may experience different symptoms when androgen levels are low.
Sometimes there is no obvious cause of androgen deficiency, and there is limited research about the effectiveness of different treatment options. But if you have symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor to rule out other medical conditions.
What are androgens?
Androgens are reproductive and growth hormones that are produced in male and female bodies.
Some people think androgens are male hormones. But the female body naturally produces small amounts of androgens too. For example, testosterone.
It’s normal for androgen levels in women to decline with age, even from around the age of 20 years.
Symptoms of androgen deficiency
Women with low androgen levels may have symptoms such as:
- tiredness
- poor concentration
- loss of muscle mass and strength
- low sex drive
- low mood.
Causes of androgen deficiency
Some of the possible causes of androgen deficiency in women include:
- surgical removal of the ovaries
- certain medications, chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- the pill or oestrogen tablets (for managing the symptoms of menopause)
- hormonal imbalance related to stress, exercising too much or not eating enough calories (such as an eating disorder)
- premature or early menopause – the final menstrual period happens before the age of 40 years.
Getting a diagnosis for androgen deficiency
It’s hard to accurately measure some androgen levels because levels in women are generally low, and the tests can’t measure such low levels. Also, androgen levels can change (levels are lowest at the start of your menstrual cycle, around the time of the period).
If you do have your androgen levels checked, blood needs to be taken in the morning, when testosterone is at its highest level.
Testosterone therapy for androgen deficiency
If your doctor is concerned about your androgen levels, they may talk to you about other potential causes of your symptoms.
Testosterone therapy may be a suitable treatment for postmenopausal women who feel distressed by their loss of sexual desire and how this may affect their relationships. This condition is known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
There is no evidence that testosterone therapy will help with other symptoms of androgen deficiency, for example, low mood.
It’s important to seek expert advice if considering androgen therapy. Experts can recommend the right product for use in women, and the right level of androgens, to reduce the risk of developing irreversible side effects (such as voice deepening or enlargement of the clitoris).
When to see your doctor
See your doctor if you think you have androgen deficiency. Some symptoms are similar to other medical conditions, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis.
More information
For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit Jean Hails for Women’s Health.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- Gynaecologist
- Endocrinologist
- Sexual Health Victoria
- A women’s health clinic
- Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
- Davis SR, Baber R, Panay N, et al. 2019, ‘Global consensus position statement on the use of testosterone therapy for women’, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 104, no. 10, pp. 4660-4666.
- Islam RM, Bell RJ, Green, S et al. 2019, ‘Safety and efficacy of testosterone for women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trial data’, The Lancet: Diabetes and Endocrinology, vol. 7 no. 10, pp, 754–766.
- Wierman ME, Basson R, Davis SR. et al., 2014, 'Androgen therapy in women: a reappraisal: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline', Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 99, no. 10, pp. 3489–3510.