Role of testosterone in females?

Testosterone plays several important roles in the female body. Most testosterone in premenopausal women is produced by theca cells in the ovaries. Testosterone levels in women are commonly misunderstood to be significantly lower than in men due to most tests measuring free testosterone, which is a small proportion of total testosterone. In reality, women have more testosterone than estrogen and significantly more DHEA than either 1.

Testosterone in women is crucial for various health aspects. It's important for health optimization and pathology prevention, although for specific conditions like breast cancer and osteoporosis, knowing estrogen and progesterone levels is more critical 1.

Additionally, testosterone increases libido in females, particularly peaking just before ovulation to enhance reproductive behavior 2. This hormonal rise plays a significant role in increasing libido, willingness to compete, and lowering stress and anxiety levels, which is crucial in reproductive behaviors 3.

These insights shed light on the comprehensive role of testosterone in female physiology, emphasizing its importance beyond its conventional association with males.