Language matters
In this article, we use “assigned male at birth” and “assigned female at birth” to refer to someone’s sex as determined by their chromosomes, and “men” and “women” when referring to their gender (unless quoting from sources using nonspecific language).
Sex is determined by chromosomes, and gender is a social construct that can vary between time periods and cultures. Both of these aspects are acknowledged to exist on a spectrum both historically and by modern scientific consensus.
Testosterone is a hormone made by the bodies of both people assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth. Testosterone plays a role in puberty and fertility, as well as libido — or sexual desire. In people assigned male at birth, most testosterone is made in the testes. In people assigned female at birth, most testosterone is made in the ovaries.
People assigned male at birth have higher levels of testosterone than people assigned female at birth. Testosterone
The levels of testosterone in your body are constantly changing in response to your body’s needs. However, the overall level of testosterone in your body changes throughout your lifetime as well.
Typically, testosterone decreases as you age — particularly in people assigned male at birth. For some people, these levels can become too low and cause unwanted effects that have them looking for ways to increase their testosterone levels.
In order to know whether testosterone levels are too low, a normal level has to be established. This has been a challenge for clinicians. However, according to a press release from the Endocrine Society in January 2017, results from a recent study have helped to define the normal ranges for testosterone levels in those assigned male at birth: 264–916 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). This range is for those assigned male at birth between the ages of 19 and 39 years who don’t have obesity.
A testosterone test measures the amount of testosterone in your blood. If a doctor wants to test the hormone levels in your blood, they’ll most likely specify a time of day for your test. Hormone levels are highest in the morning, so this test is often performed in the morning between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Your doctor may have your levels tested more than once.
Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs before your test, as they could affect your testosterone levels. It’s important to tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking. Include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Testosterone home-testing kits are also available from companies such as LetsGetChecked. They use your saliva to test your hormone levels. After taking the test, you’ll send your sample to a lab for testing.
There may be certain lifestyle changes to help increase testosterone levels, such as adding resistance exercise and losing weight.
Research indicates that resistance exercise, such as lifting weights, is related to temporary increases in testosterone levels.
An older 1999 study suggests that testosterone increases after heavy resistance training are typically much higher in younger than older people assigned male at birth — and overall don’t appear to greatly increase your overall testosterone levels.
Exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise, can contribute to weight loss, which can help to increase levels of testosterone.
In addition to lifestyle changes and increased exercise, there are a few other options available to you that can help boost the amount of testosterone in your body. A few of these options have been proven in clinical trials. Others may claim to increase testosterone level but don’t always provide substantial evidence to back up their claims.
Of course, if you’re concerned about you testosterone levels, it’s a good idea to share your concerns with a doctor. They’ll be able to verify your T levels and help build a treatment plan. Here are just a few of the most common ways to treat low testosterone levels.
Some types of herbal supplements claim to be “testosterone boosters.” The makers of these products claim that the ingredients help to increase levels of testosterone.
However, there isn’t enough research to support their effectiveness, and these products
In fact, a
Additionally, these products aren’t closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that they aren’t tested or evaluated for their effectiveness and could contain undisclosed ingredients or have unexpected side effects. Consider talking with a doctor before taking a “testosterone booster” and discuss with them alternative treatments that are FDA-approved and clinically proven to work.
You may find there are more natural steps that may help to boost your testosterone level.
Some foods may play a role in helping your body moderate your testosterone levels.
Making sure you get enough foods that are rich in zinc and vitamin D may help to keep your testosterone at a normal level.
Here are seven testosterone-boosting foods that could help you get the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your testosterone levels healthy.
A 2018 animal study suggests that zinc supplementation increases testosterone and fertility in those with marginal zinc deficiency.
Testosterone replacement therapy is used to help treat people with abnormally low levels of testosterone.
Abnormally low levels of testosterone can affect normal body functions. They may contribute to decreased muscle mass, a lowered sex drive, erectile dysfunction (ED), and mood changes such as irritability and depression.
Testosterone replacement therapy involves taking prescribed testosterone medication in the form of pills, patches, and gel that you apply to your skin. Testosterone therapy can also come in the form of injections.
Testosterone injections are one of the more common forms of testosterone replacement therapy. They’re typically given by a doctor. You need them less frequently than other forms.
Testosterone replacement therapy has many risks. If you have testosterone replacement therapy, you’ll need frequent blood tests to check your testosterone levels and to monitor potential side effects, including:
- fluid retainment
- acne
- prostate enlargement
- lowered fertility
- sleep apnea
- blood clots
- increased red blood cells
Side effects may vary based on the type of testosterone therapy you use.
Symptoms of abnormally low testosterone can be bothersome and may impact your quality of life. These symptoms can include:
- decreased body hair
- decreased muscle mass
- low sex drive
- ED
- growth of breast tissue
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms and don’t believe they’re caused by something else, talk with a doctor. If your doctor thinks your symptoms are related to abnormally low testosterone levels, they can test your levels.
Low testosterone causes in people assigned male at birth
Testosterone levels in people assigned male at birth
For some people, testosterone levels may become abnormally low.
Causes of low testosterone levels include:
- aging
- delayed puberty
- testicular damage (caused by trauma, alcoholism, or mumps)
- hypothalamic disease
- pituitary disease
- noncancerous pituitary tumor
- chemotherapy
A number of genetic diseases can also affect testosterone levels, including:
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Kallmann syndrome
- myotonic dystrophy
Low testosterone in people assigned female at birth
Testosterone plays an important role in people assigned female at birth. However, testosterone levels are naturally lower in these individuals than in people assigned male at birth.
Usually, low levels of testosterone in people assigned female at birth aren’t problematic. However, levels that are too high may cause unwanted symptoms. These include:
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
- infertility
- development of facial and body hair
- deepened voice
High testosterone levels in people assigned female at birth may be caused by:
- polycystic ovarian syndrome
- congenital adrenocortical hyperplasia
- ovarian cancer or tumor
- adrenal tumor
According to the American Urological Association, you should see a healthcare professional if you have any of the following symptoms of low testosterone, including:
- lowered sex drive
- lowered erectile function
- fatigue
- lowered lean muscle mass
- irritability
- symptoms of depression
It’s worth noting that ED can be a symptom of low T levels, but there isn’t a strong correlation showing that testosterone replacement can also treat ED. If you’re experiencing ED, it’s worth talking with a doctor. They can confirm if low T levels are the cause of your ED symptoms or help you explore other alternative treatments that might work better for you.
What happens if low testosterone goes untreated?
It’s common for people assigned male at birth to experience drops in their testosterone levels as they age. However, if these levels are significantly low, there can be a number of short-term and long-term symptoms that someone might experience.
Some of the most apparent
What are the potential benefits of testosterone replacement therapy for people with low testosterone?
Potential benefits of testosterone therapy for people with low testosterone include:
- increased libido
- improved sexual function
- improved mood and well-being
- increased muscle mass
- increased bone density
Does testosterone replacement therapy work?
There’s conflicting evidence regarding the benefits of male testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone, according to a 2017 clinical review.
Some
Testosterone therapy does appear to increase bone density in the lumbar spine in middle-aged men with testosterone deficiency.
It also consistently increases lean mass while decreasing fat mass, but the effect sizes are small.
Are there different adverse effects of testosterone replacement therapy for people assigned male at birth versus people assigned female at birth?
Side effects of testosterone therapy can vary for people based on their sex assigned at birth. Adverse effects of testosterone replacement therapy in people assigned male at birth may include:
- acne
- erythrocytosis (when you have more red blood cells than normal)
- lowered sperm production
- increased risk of subclinical prostate cancer
Adverse effects of testosterone therapy in people assigned female at birth may include:
- acne
- extra hair growth
- weight gain
- fluid retention
- shifts in mood
- anger or hostility
In rare circumstances, adverse effects may include:
- voice deepening
- baldness
- clitoral enlargement
Are there cardiovascular risks to testosterone therapy?
In a
Will I be able to fully replenish my testosterone?
Fully replenishing your testosterone level depends largely on what treatments you explore a your doctor. If you choose to go a more natural route with changes to your diet and exercise routine, you may see an increase in your T levels, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to get back to the levels you were at in your 20s with diet, exercise, and supplements alone.
Testosterone creams and injections can replace a significant amount of lost testosterone, but since each person reacts differently to these treatments, it’s possible that your T levels won’t be fully replenished.
More importantly, it’s worth discussing the side effects and results of overusing these replacement therapies. You should never increase your dose or the frequency of use without talking with a doctor first. Severe side effects from misusing these treatments can include stroke, heart attack, a higher risk of prostate cancer, liver conditions, and an enlarged prostate.
Testosterone levels in people assigned male at birth decrease a little naturally with age. However, in some people, these levels can be too low and cause unwanted symptoms. Treatment is available, but it’s important for your doctor to confirm your low testosterone levels with one or more blood tests. Your doctor may also do other tests to help determine what’s causing your low testosterone.
For people assigned female at birth, levels of testosterone that are too high, rather than too low, are more concerning. Symptoms of high testosterone may be an indication of an underlying condition that needs to be treated.