Low Testosterone: Signs, Causes & How To Fix (for Men & Women)

Hormones are the messengers that dictate how you feel, perform, and connect with others. Among these, testosterone is often misunderstood as a male-only hormone. While in reality, it is a vital hormone for both men and women that acts as fuel for physical energy, mood, cognitive clarity, sexual health, muscle strength, and even your skin and hair.

When testosterone levels drop, everything starts feeling off, and most people spend years not knowing why. The impact isn’t just physical but psychological. If you’ve been feeling a persistent sense of fatigue or a sudden lack of drive, you might be dealing with Testosterone Deficiency (TD). 

Here, we’ll discuss what causes testosterone deficiency, how to treat low testosterone in females and males, how to spot the signs, and how to get your vitality back. 

What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is one of the major male hormones, but it is present in both men and women. In men, it is produced mainly in the testes. In women, it is made in the ovaries and, in smaller amounts, in the adrenal glands.

Normal testosterone levels in adult men range from 300 to 1000 ng/dL. In females, the range is much lower, ~15-70 ng/dl. When levels fall below these ranges, it is called Testosterone Deficiency (TD) or, in clinical terms, ‘Hypogonadism‘.

Low testosterone does not just affect sex drive. It touches nearly every system in your body, from bones, muscles, and hair to mood, cognition, and cardiovascular health. Testosterone is a lifeline to your healthy internal functioning, and hypogonadism is something you cannot afford to have. 

How to Know If You Have Low Testosterone?

The most reliable way to know if you have low testosterone is through a blood test, specifically a serum total testosterone test, clinically done in the morning when levels are at their highest.

However, before appearing for a medical examination directly, you can do a quick self-check. If you are experiencing three or more of the symptoms listed below consistently over 4-6 weeks, that is a strong signal to seek a doctor. You cannot diagnose yourself, but your symptoms are always your first clue to the problem.

What Are The Common Signs of Low Testosterone?

Most people fall into their journey by asking one direct-cum-daunting question: “How do I know if I have low testosterone?” 

And the answer lies in a combination of physical and emotional shifts:

1. Diminished Libido: This is the most classic sign of testosterone deficiency. Testosterone is the primary driver of sexual desire, and a sudden, sharp decline in interest in intimacy is a serious sign
2. Emotional Changes: You experience increased irritability, a lack of focus, or constant feelings of sadness
3. Physical Fatigue: Feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep. 
4. Reduced Muscle Mass: Low testosterone often leads to a noticeable decrease in strength and an increase in body fat, particularly around the midsection

Specific Signs of Low Testosterone In Men & Women 

Low testosterone symptoms are easy to miss because they overlap with general tiredness and ageing. They often mimic other conditions like clinical depression or chronic stress, making it easy to misdiagnose. 

However, once you know the exact signs, it becomes almost impossible to ignore any of them. Here are the specific symptoms of testosterone deficiency that you should pay attention to:

For Men:

• Difficulty having or maintaining erections
• Fatigue and low energy, even after rest
• Loss of muscle mass despite regular work
• Increased body fat, especially around the belly
• Mood changes, like irritability, depression, brain fog, etc
• Reduced beard or body hair growth
• Smaller testicle size

For Women:

• Persistent fatigue and low motivation
• Difficulty concentrating
• Reduced bone density
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Decreased muscle tone
• Mood swings and mild depression

Note: The human body is surprisingly vocal when its chemistry is out of balance. Many of these signs of low testosterone are mistaken for stress, poor sleep, or depression. If several of these apply to you, get your levels checked.

What Causes Testosterone Deficiency (TD)?

Low Testosterone has many causes. Some are medical conditions that require treatment; others are lifestyle-related and reversible.

Understanding the why before how is the first step towards finding a cure. Low testosterone causes can be broadly categorised into age, lifestyle, and health-related factors. 

Common causes of low testosterone levels in males and females are:

• Age: Testosterone naturally peaks in early adulthood and declines about 1% to 2% per year after age 30
• Lifestyle: The biggest killers of male hormones are constant unhealthy food, smoking, excessive alcohol and stress
• Medical Conditions: Hormonal drops are often linked to type 2 diabetes, infection, and kidney disease, and serious medical conditions
• Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: This is a clinical condition where the hypothalamus or pituitary gland fails to signal the testes or ovaries to produce hormones. It is a common cause of infertility and delayed puberty, requiring specialised medical intervention

The causes listed below are specific to Testosterone Deficiency in men and women, respectively:

For Men

• Obesity (excess fat tissue converts testosterone to oestrogen)
• Increased cortisol (suppresses testosterone production)
• Diabetes and insulin resistance
• Chronic alcohol use
• Certain medications (opioids, steroids, antidepressants)
• Testicular injury or infections
• Chemotherapy or radiation

For Women 

• Menopause and perimenopause
• Removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy)
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Excessive medication
• Hormonal contraceptive use over long periods
• Chronic illness or autoimmune conditions
• Chemotherapy or radiation

How to Check Your Testosterone Level

The first step in any treatment plan is data. Many people ask how to check their testosterone level at home because they feel hesitant to visit a clinic immediately.

1. Home Testing Kits

At-home testosterone test kits are now widely available in India. They typically use a saliva or finger-prick blood sample that you send to a lab for analysis. Results arrive within a few days via an online portal.

These kits can give you a general idea of where you stand. They are convenient for baseline reading, but often don’t measure free testosterone (the active form). Their results vary by brand and can also be influenced by the time of day and recent meals.

2. Clinical Testing

For a proper diagnosis, a clinical blood test suggested by a doctor is the best option. At Dr Gupta’s Clinic, hormonal blood testing is part of our standard evaluation for anyone experiencing sexual health concerns.

We advise a morning blood test that allows us to measure “Total Testosterone” and “Free Testosterone” (the hormone actually available for your body to use), providing a much more accurate picture of your health.

How to Increase Testosterone Levels in Men?

Once a deficiency is confirmed, the focus shifts to recovery. There are two main paths: the natural route and the clinical route. For mild to moderate testosterone deficiency and as a companion to medical treatment, there is solid evidence behind these natural ways to increase testosterone levels in men: 

How to boost testosterone naturally:

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Fat cells convert testosterone into oestrogen. Even a 5-10% reduction in body weight can result in measurable improvements in testosterone levels in overweight individuals.

2. Manage Stress

Chronic stress keeps cortisol high, which directly lowers testosterone. Meditation, breathwork, avoiding overwork, and regular physical activity all help bring cortisol levels down.

3. Eat for Hormonal Health

• Zinc-Rich Foods: Eggs, red meat, pumpkin seeds, legumes
• Healthy Fats: Avocado, olive oil, nuts (testosterone is made from cholesterol)
• Vitamin D: Fatty fish, fortified dairy, and sunlight exposure
• Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli and cauliflower (reduce excess oestrogen)
• Avoid: Excess sugar, processed foods, and alcohol (all suppress testosterone)

4. Fix Your Sleep

Most testosterone is produced while you sleep. Try to prioritise 7-9 hours of regular, quality, and uninterrupted sleep for better testosterone production. Sleeping less than 6 hours significantly reduces testosterone. 

5. Strength Training

Resistance exercise is the single most effective non-medical way to increase testosterone. Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses are shown to trigger the most hormonal response.

How to Treat Low Testosterone in Females

Because women are more sensitive to hormonal shifts, the goal is optimisation rather than maximisation. Knowing how to increase testosterone naturally can yield impressive results without medication. The natural ways largely remain the same as for men, like having balanced meals, regular exercise, healthy sleep, and more. 

In cases of high deficiency, doctors tend to focus on lifestyle changes or “Bioidentical Hormone Replacement.” Small doses can often restore energy and mental clarity without masculine side effects.

Here are a few medical treatments for low testosterone in women: 

• Testosterone Therapy (TT): Carefully prescribed. It is not yet FDA-approved specifically for women in most countries, still widely used off-label under specialist supervision
• Root Causes According to Medical History: Thyroid correction, lower cortisol, PCOS/adrenal issues management
• DHEA Supplementation:  A hormone precursor that the body converts into testosterone; available by prescription only

Important: Women should not self-treat with over-the-counter testosterone products. Prescriptions need to be dosed carefully, since too much testosterone in women can cause acne, excess body hair, a deeper voice, and disruption of the menstrual cycle.

What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?

For many, lifestyle changes are not enough to combat a significant testosterone deficiency. This is where Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) plays a part.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a medical treatment for people with clinical testosterone deficiency to get hormone levels back to a healthy range. It’s supervised by a sexologist or endocrinologist for people who have not responded much to lifestyle changes.

TRT can be administered in a number of ways, including injections, gels, patches, implantable pellets, and oral capsules. They differ in their rate of absorption, their dosing schedule, and their side effect profiles. When properly administered, TRT benefits include increased libido, increased energy, improved mood, increased muscle mass, and stronger bones.

But TRT should be supervised by a qualified doctor to ensure there is no adverse effect on RBCs, fertility, or prostate health.

At Dr Gupta’s Clinic, we do a full hormonal profile of every patient before suggesting TRT. Treatment is always personalised. For a confidential consultation, call us today.

Reclaim Your Vitality

A sexology specialist provides a holistic approach to treating low testosterone. By looking at your unique physiology, a doctor can determine if your symptoms are purely hormonal or if they are linked to psychological factors or underlying chronic conditions.

Dr Gupta’s Clinic has over 40 years of experience treating hormonal and sexual health conditions in men and women. Our approach combines clinical hormonal evaluation with integrative, personalised treatment, from lifestyle guidance to TRT when necessary.

Summary checklist if you need medical aid for low testosterone:

• Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed?
• Is your performance in the bedroom inconsistent?
• Are you struggling to maintain muscle despite working out?
• Do you feel burnt out by midday?

If the answer to two or more of these is ‘Yes’, you likely have the classic signs of low testosterone.

Don’t let a cause define your energy. Reach out to our specialists today and take the first step toward healthy hormones.

Book a confidential consultation with Dr Govind K. Gupta today. Call: +91-9830403000 | +91-9810132737 | Email: drguptasclinic@gmail.com

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