A Guide to Abnormal Testosterone Levels in Women

Testosterone is most notably a hormone related to all things male. But do females have testosterone? Yes! Testosterone is an important hormone for women, but in smaller amounts. 

Testosterone levels in women can vary, and abnormal testosterone levels in women, whether too high or too low, can impact everything from mood to metabolism. Testosterone has many impacts throughout the body, including effects on bone density, muscle mass, libido, fat distribution, heart health, and blood cell production. Both elevated testosterone in women and decreased testosterone in women have distinct signs and symptoms.

Low testosterone levels in women

Like estrogen and progesterone, testosterone naturally declines with age. However, because women make testosterone in the ovaries and the adrenal glands, low testosterone levels in women could indicate a problem with the function of either organ. Estrogen replacement therapy can also lower the level of testosterone.

If your testosterone level is low for your age and menstrual status, then you could be experiencing some common symptoms. Low testosterone symptoms in women can include:

• Decreased libido
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Depressed mood
• Weight gain

Health risks linked to low testosterone levels in women include:

• Bone loss/osteoporosis
• Muscle wasting/sarcopenia
• Obesity
• Depression
• Heart disease

What if my testosterone level is low? Are there dietary changes I can make?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, consider lifestyle and dietary changes to support hormone balance. Some foods can boost testosterone because they are high in certain vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin D or zinc, which increase testosterone. The following foods that increase testosterone in females are salmon, olive oil, oysters, egg yolks, liver, asparagus, crab, lobster, beans, and pomegranate juice.

A study of 60 men and women (average age, 39) found 500 mL (a little more than 2 cups) of pomegranate juice daily for two weeks caused a small but significant increase in salivary testosterone levels in the men and women participants.¹

High testosterone levels in women

While low testosterone levels in women pose health risks, women with high testosterone levels may also face serious health issues, especially during their reproductive years. Elevated testosterone in women can occur for several reasons, the most common being polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is probably the most common cause of infertility in women, affecting about 27% of women of childbearing age. Although it runs in families, it is unclear whether PCOS is or is not a genetic disorder. PCOS is closely related to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Although many women who have PCOS focus on irregular periods and fertility, PCOS is a condition that lasts for life and is associated with numerous metabolic abnormalities. 

Besides PCOS, women might also have high testosterone after menopause if they are taking testosterone as part of hormone replacement therapy.

Symptoms of high testosterone in women

Signs and symptoms of abnormal testosterone levels in women due to elevated levels may include:

• Facial hair growth
• Male-pattern hair loss
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Deepening voice

Other markers of high testosterone levels in women include:

• High cholesterol
• Metabolic syndrome/diabetes
• Diagnosis of PCOS
• Current or past history of abnormal periods and/or infertility

Foods that may help lower testosterone in women

Certain foods and natural compounds may help balance testosterone in women with high testosterone levels.

Spearmint tea was tested in a group of 42 women with excess hair growth (hirsutism), which is often associated with elevated testosterone. They were randomly chosen to drink two cups daily of either spearmint tea or a placebo tea for 30 days. Women in the spearmint tea group had significant decreases in total and free testosterone levels compared to women in the placebo tea group.²

Omega-3 fatty acid fish oil (3 grams daily) helped balance testosterone levels in women.*³ It is likely that eating fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acid content would have the same effect. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, lake trout, and albacore tuna.

Flaxseeds are known to lower elevated testosterone by binding it and removing it from the body. In a case study of a woman with high testosterone, 30 grams of flaxseeds daily for four months significantly decreased her total and free testosterone levels.⁴

Vitamin D and testosterone in women

What could be causing high testosterone in women? Interestingly, both low and high levels of testosterone have been linked to low vitamin D in women.⁵ Thus, having adequate vitamin D is essential for both scenarios. 

Wild-caught salmon, which can contain as much as 988 IU of vitamin D3 per 3.5-ounce serving, is the best food source of vitamin D.

Food sources of vitamin D:

Because dietary sources of significant amounts of vitamin D are limited, a vitamin D supplement can fill the nutritional gap, particularly if you don’t have regular exposure to sunshine.

Thorne support for hormone balance

Are you looking for nutritional support for ovarian function and reproductive health? Thorne’s Ovarian Care provides inositol, folate, CoQ10, and plant polyphenols to promote a healthy balance of female hormones.*

Testing hormone levels at home

Are you are trying to become pregnant and are curious about hormone levels, including testosterone, that could be impacting your fertility? You can test a range of hormones and other biomarkers in the privacy of your home with Thorne’s Fertility Test, which requires saliva and finger-prick blood-spot samples. Results are accompanied by diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations.

References

1. Smail M, Al-Dujaili E. Pomegranate juice intake enhances salivary testosterone levels and improves mood and wellbeing in healthy men and women. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275716515_Pomegranate_juice_intake_enhances_salivary_testosterone_levels_and_improves_mood_and_well_being_in_healthy_men_and_women [Accessed May 23, 2025]
2. Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res 2010;24(2):186-188.
3. Nadjarzadeh A, Dehghani-Firouzabadi R, Vaziri N, et al. The effect of omega-3 supplementation on androgen profile and menstrual status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Iran J Reprod Med 2013;11(8):665-672.
4. Nowak D, Snyder D, Brown A, Demark-Wahnefried W. The effect of flaxseed supplementation on hormonal levels associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case study. Curr Top Nutraceutical Res 2007;5(4):177-181.
5. Chang E. Vitamin D, testosterone link in women may explain reproductive outcomes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2104; doi:10.1210/jc.2013-3873.