How Testosterone Levels Affect Sex Drive (for All Genders)

Woman and man embracing intimately

At a Glance

  • Learn the answer to what testosterone does to your sex drive.
  • Discover how low testosterone in men can affect libido. 
  • Find out how too much testosterone in women can inhibit sex drive. 

Hormone levels rise and fall at different stages of our lives, with notable changes at milestones like puberty and menopause. In the past, people of all genders have had to quietly deal with the dips, rises, and imbalances in their sex hormones. Thankfully, in our modern age, there are a number of ways to monitor and adjust our hormones through medical intervention.

What Does Testosterone Do to Intimacy?

While estrogen and progesterone are the predominant sex hormones in women, testosterone is a key hormone for sex drive in all genders. These hormones all work together to help provide overall wellness, including increasing or decreasing sex drive. So what does testosterone do to your libido? Read on, and we’ll explain why monitoring this crucial hormone is key to a satisfying sex life for all. 

Low Testosterone in Men

Muscular man lifting weights

Testosterone and masculinity go hand-in-hand in modern culture. Images of muscular, virile men often come to mind when people think about the male sex hormone. But what does testosterone actually do to men? 

As the primary male sex hormone, testosterone is responsible for:

  • Driving libido, sperm production, and sexual desire 
  • Promotes muscle mass, strength, and bone density
  • Promotes facial and body hair and causes the voice to deepen
  • Increases metabolism and influences the distribution of fat
  • Stimulates the production of red blood cells
  • Affects overall well-being, including energy levels and cognition

Like all things, too much T isn’t always good, and there can be unwanted side effects of excessive testosterone. In men, too little or too much T can make being intimate with your partner or using sex toys for men difficult. 

What Does Testosterone Do to Women’s Health? 

Normal natural levels of testosterone in women are much lower than those in men, with less than 40 nanograms per deciliter in adults. 

Even though sex drive is often affected, other symptoms of excess testosterone in women can also include:

  • Can lead to conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Can cause excess body hair, hair loss, and a deeper voice
  • Persistent acne or weight gain
  • Irregular menstrual cycles and infertility
  • Increased muscle mass, enlarged clitoris, and reduced breast size

Many of the side effects of excessive testosterone in women can lead to feelings of self-consciousness with your partner in the bedroom. However, many of these issues can be treated with a variety of topical or prescription products designed to help minimize or eliminate painful or embarrassing symptoms. If you are concerned about the effects of excess testosterone in women, speak to your doctor for possible hormone-balancing solutions. 

Dealing With High Testosterone Levels in Women

Pills and a prescription bottle

So what does testosterone do to women’s bodies during hormonal imbalances? Often, one of the main issues related to unbalanced levels of testosterone in women is that it leads to a lower sex drive. Playing with adult toys for women can help boost sex drive, but other issues may still persist.  

Some hormonal solutions for women dealing with the side effects of excessive testosterone can include:

  • Doctor-prescribed hormonal birth control
  • Corticosteroids for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
  • Prescriptions to help with insulin resistance associated with PCOS
  • Lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, and refraining from tobacco or alcohol
  • Weight and stress management
  • Cosmetic and topical treatments to deal with acne or excess hair

What Do Unbalanced Levels of Testosterone Do in Men? 

Now that you know what role this sex hormone plays, you might wonder what the normal level of testosterone is for men. After the age of 45, low testosterone in men can become common, leading to a number of frustrating issues. In adult men, typical ranges are anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter, so if you’re concerned about your T levels, see your doctor to get them checked. 

The side effects of excessive testosterone in men are often the result of anabolic steroids and can include: 

  • Acne, mood swings, and sleep apnea
  • Shrunken testicles and decreased libido
  • Problems with infertility
  • Increased red blood cells and higher blood pressure

In general, when you ask what an excess amount of testosterone does to your sex drive, the answer can seem scary. However, adjustments can be made, no matter what gender you are, to help get things balanced and back on track, especially when it comes to being intimate with your partner or using adult toys for couples.  

What Can Help Low Testosterone in Women and Men?

Man and woman in bed with sex toy

If you suspect that you’re dealing with low T issues, don’t despair. There are a number of his and hers adult toys that can address your issues. While you may be asking what a huge dildo has to do with testosterone, the truth is that body-safe sex toys can also be used as sexual health aids. 

If you’re experiencing low T or the side effects of excessive testosterone, these unique sex toys could help:

For Men

For Women

  • Look for female sex toys with suction to increase blood flow. 
  • Try clit vibrators for intense vibrations. 
  • Women experiencing tightness can try vaginal dilators for improved flexibility. 

If you’ve been curious about low testosterone in men and are asking what testosterone does to your sex drive and how you can boost your libido, there are a number of effective and discreet options available. Talk to your doctor and browse an online sex shop like VSekreets for a range of products to meet your hormonal sex drive needs.

Meet the Author

VSekreets has been an online adult toys store for both men and women for over a decade and an expert in their industry. Selling high-tech adult toys at affordable prices, they excel at designing durable products made of fine, silicone materials with modern construction and even created patented molds for their products. As a leader in their industry, they offer educational advice on sexual wellness and tips for intimate experiences.