Skip to main content

Female Testosterone Metabolism

Meaning

Female testosterone metabolism encompasses the synthesis, circulation, action, and ultimate breakdown of testosterone within the female body, where it serves as a crucial hormone for libido, bone density, and muscle maintenance, despite being present in much lower concentrations than in males. The ovaries and adrenal glands are the primary sources of production, and its subsequent metabolic fate dictates the balance between its active form and less potent or estrogenic metabolites. Dysregulation in this pathway can lead to clinical manifestations such as hyperandrogenism in conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or androgen deficiency post-menopause. Understanding this delicate balance is central to managing women’s hormonal health.