01/06/2026
A recent article in a local magazine and its related social media post included a quote about women’s hormones. The statement that “when women are younger they make way more testosterone than estrogen” can be misleading without proper context.
Clear messaging matters in women’s health. Seeing higher testosterone numbers than estrogen can be confusing when hormones are measured in different units. It is like comparing pennies to hundred dollar bills. The number alone does not reflect which hormone is biologically dominant or doing the most physiologic work.
During the reproductive years, estrogen is the dominant hormone driving the menstrual cycle, fertility, bone health, and cardiovascular protection, while testosterone also plays an important but secondary role.
This distinction matters, especially for conditions like PCOS, which I see and manage frequently in my endocrinology practice. In PCOS, testosterone levels are truly elevated and contribute to significant physical, metabolic, and emotional symptoms. Recognizing this difference helps validate patient experiences and guide appropriate care.
There is also a nuanced, evidence based role for testosterone therapy in some menopausal patients that is best navigated with clinicians who have specialized menopause training, such as Menopause Society Certified Practitioners.
Hormones are complex. Context matters. And clear, precise language matters in women’s health.
