Are there really no 'male' or 'female' hormones? We checked

What does this video actually claim?

Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen's Instagram post argues that calling estrogen and testosterone 'female' and 'male' hormones is wrong. She states both men and women produce and need both hormones.

The post pushes back against common language that assigns gender to these hormones. It's part of broader discussions about hormone replacement therapy and how we talk about endocrine function.

With 66,100 views, this challenges how most people think about hormones. The question is whether the science supports dropping these common labels entirely.

Does the science back this up?

Yes, the core claim is scientifically accurate. Men do produce estrogen, primarily through aromatization of testosterone in peripheral tissues. Women produce testosterone in their ovaries, adrenal glands, and peripheral tissues.

Research shows healthy men have serum estradiol levels of 10-40 pg/mL (Finkelstein et al., NEJM, 2013). Women's testosterone levels range from 15-70 ng/dL, about one-tenth of male levels but still physiologically important.

The Framingham Heart Study found that men with estradiol levels below 20 pg/mL had increased fracture risk, proving estrogen's importance in male bone health. Women with very low testosterone often experience decreased libido and energy.

What did they get wrong?

The 'all lies' framing overstates the case. While both sexes produce both hormones, the relative concentrations matter enormously for development and physiology.

Men typically have testosterone levels of 300-1000 ng/dL compared to women's 15-70 ng/dL. Women have estradiol levels of 30-400 pg/mL during reproductive years, while men stay around 10-40 pg/mL.

These aren't arbitrary labels. Testosterone drives male sexual development during puberty, while estrogen controls female reproductive cycles. The ratios and absolute levels create meaningful biological differences that the 'no such thing' claim glosses over.

What should you actually know about hormone therapy?

Both testosterone and estrogen therapy can benefit patients regardless of sex, but the applications differ significantly. Testosterone replacement in women typically uses much lower doses than in men.

Studies show testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women improves sexual function at doses of 150-300 mcg daily (Davis et al., NEJM, 2008). Men with hypogonadism typically need 50-100mg testosterone twice weekly or equivalent doses.

The terminology matters less than understanding that hormone optimization requires individualized approaches. Whether you call them 'male' or 'female' hormones, the key is getting the right hormone to the right person at the right dose.