Levels of Testosterone in Men & Women

Testosterone is a hormone found in both men and women, although it is considered a male hormone. Women produce much less testosterone than men. In men, testosterone is produced by the testes, while in women, the ovaries create testosterone.

Testosterone Levels in Aging Men

• In men, there is no evidence of a big drop-off in testosterone production later in life, or the equivalent of a male menopause. The National Institute on Aging notes that there may be some lowered levels compared to adolescence and early adulthood, but levels don't fall significantly.

Testosterone Levels in Aging Women

• A woman's testosterone level will diminish gradually with age, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is not a rapid dropping of testosterone with menopause, unless it occurs due to hysterectomy-induced menopause.

Testing of Levels

• Testosterone levels are checked via a blood test when women display male sexual characteristics, such as a deepening voice, increased body hair or when periods are irregular. Levels are checked in men suffering from impotence or infertility, or in boys for early or late onset of puberty.

Normal Testosterone Levels

• In women, look for a reading of 20 to 80 ng/dL, or nanograms per deciliter. In men, a normal testosterone level is in the 300 to 1,000 ng/dL range, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Abnormal Levels

• Increased testosterone levels may indicate cancer, polycystic ovarian disease, early puberty or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Decreased levels may mean delayed puberty, chronic illness, or disorders of the pituitary or testicles.