Testosterone vs. Estrogen (What’s the Difference?)

Sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, play crucial roles in regulating various physiological processes and have distinct effects on the development and functioning of the male and female reproductive systems. Estrogen is typically known as the female hormone, and testosterone is the male hormone, but both men and women have these sex hormones in their bodies.

Estrogens are a group of hormones that play a huge role in sexual life and reproductive development in women and men to a lesser degree, and three hormones make up this group [1].

They are: 

• Estriol: It is the primary estrogen during pregnancy.
• Estradiol: It is the primary sex hormone in women during reproductive years and is responsible for sexual functions, female characteristics, and bone health.
• Estrone: It is the primary estrogen in postmenopausal women.

Testosterone is the primary sex hormone for males, primarily produced in the testes, and is critical to sexual functions, male characteristics, and muscle mass. The adrenal glands and ovaries of women produce small amounts of testosterone.

Understanding the differences between testosterone and estrogen is important, as they have unique effects on the body and can contribute to various health conditions and risk factors. Now that we generally know the roles of these hormones let’s closely examine the key differences in how each affects men and women.

Estradiol is the predominant form of estrogen and is essential for sexual function in males, including regulating libido, erectile function, and spermatogenesis, the production of sperm in the testes [3].

High estrogen levels in men can significantly impact their bodies and be a sign of underlying conditions, including slower sperm production making it more challenging to produce healthy sperm [4].

Symptoms include:

Testosterone influences the growth, repair, and maintenance of reproductive tissues, bone mass, sex drive, and fertility for women.

As in men with low or high estrogen, unbalanced testosterone levels in women can impact their overall well-being [7].

High testosterone levels in women can cause:

Estrogen therapy can help rectify hormone imbalances, particularly in menopausal women; however, there is a link to increased risk of uterine cancer, heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots, and stroke [14].

Your primary care doctor must determine if the benefits outweigh your risks.

They will usually base it on factors such as age, health history, the severity of symptoms, and the type of hormone therapy.

You may boost estrogen naturally by consuming foods rich in phytoestrogens, which are plant-based estrogen [15].

Some good sources of phytoestrogens include:

• Legumes: soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts
• Berries: strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries
• Seeds: flaxseeds and sunflower seeds
• Fruits: Plums, pears, apples, and grapes

“High fiber, plant-based, and Mediterranean dietary patterns may help promote healthy estrogen regulation.”

- Amy Richter, RD

When people hear low testosterone levels, difficulty with sexual functions, like ED, usually comes to mind.

Low testosterone negatively affects many sexual development and function areas, including erectile dysfunction, suppressed sperm production, and decreased libido [20].

Research shows younger males who have low testosterone due to conditions of the testes, and pituitary gland, which produces other reproductive hormones like Luteinizing Hormone (LH), or hypothalamus, finds that hormone replacement therapy improves sexual function [21].

However, researchers studying the effects of testosterone treatment and improvement of sex drive and function in older men find the answer a bit less clear [22].

Boosting Testosterone

Beyond testosterone replacement therapy, there are a few things you can do to give lower testosterone levels a boost [23].

You can:

• Perform exercises to boost testosterone, particularly weight training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
• Eat a nutritious diet rich in healthy protein, fats, and carbs
• Manage stress and minimize cortisol levels
• Increase vitamin D by getting some sun or supplementing
• Try having more sex
• Get quality sleep
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Consider taking a natural testosterone booster

“Zinc supplements could support healthy testosterone levels, especially for people who have a testosterone deficiency. Other herbal supplements like saw palmetto, ginger, and ashwagandha may also be beneficial, but more studies are needed.”

- Grant Tinsley, Ph.D.