Do women have testosterone?

Do women have testosterone?

• A. No, women do not have testosterone
• B. Yes, but 15-20 folds less concentrated than men's
• C. Only during menopause
• D. Women have higher testosterone than men

Answer: (B)

Testosterone is present in both sexes, not just men. In women, the amount circulating in the blood is much lower than in men—roughly 15 to 20 times less. This means there are measurable levels in women, even though they’re a small fraction of typical male levels. To put it in numbers, men usually have hundreds of ng/dL of total testosterone, while women generally have a few tens of ng/dL. Where it comes from in women: the ovaries and the adrenal glands produce it, and it plays roles in things like bone density, muscle maintenance, and sexual function, with levels that can vary with age and health. So the correct idea is that yes, women do have testosterone, but at lower concentrations than men. The other statements aren’t accurate because testosterone isn’t exclusive to men, it isn’t present only during menopause, and women do not have higher levels than men.

Testosterone is present in both sexes, not just men. In women, the amount circulating in the blood is much lower than in men—roughly 15 to 20 times less. This means there are measurable levels in women, even though they’re a small fraction of typical male levels. To put it in numbers, men usually have hundreds of ng/dL of total testosterone, while women generally have a few tens of ng/dL.

Where it comes from in women: the ovaries and the adrenal glands produce it, and it plays roles in things like bone density, muscle maintenance, and sexual function, with levels that can vary with age and health. So the correct idea is that yes, women do have testosterone, but at lower concentrations than men. The other statements aren’t accurate because testosterone isn’t exclusive to men, it isn’t present only during menopause, and women do not have higher levels than men.