Labeling progesterone and estrogen strictly as "female sex hormones" and testosterone as a "male sex hormone" oversimplifies biology, as all individuals produce these hormones regardless of sex, just in varying amounts and roles. This binary view ignores their presence and functions across sexes, leading to misconceptions about physiology and health.

Hormones in Both Sexes

All sex hormones—estrogens (like estradiol), progestogens (like progesterone), and androgens (like testosterone)—are produced by both males and females, primarily in gonads and adrenal glands. Females typically have higher estrogen and progesterone levels for reproductive cycles, while males have higher testosterone for traits like muscle mass, but overlaps exist. For instance, males produce estrogen via aromatization of testosterone, aiding bone health and brain function.

Key Misleading Aspects

  • Presence Across Sexes : Males synthesize estrogen and progesterone in testes and adrenals; females produce testosterone in ovaries and adrenals, influencing libido and muscle.
  • Non-Exclusive Effects : Testosterone contributes to female traits like ovarian function; estrogen supports male fertility and cardiovascular health.
  • Health Implications : Rigid labels fuel myths, like assuming low testosterone means "less masculine," overlooking its role in women or estrogen's in men.

Scientific Consensus

Endocrine experts emphasize these as "sex steroids" without strict gender ownership, as levels vary by age, health, and genetics. Wikipedia notes all types exist in each sex at different levels, challenging "male/female" dichotomies. Recent reviews (up to 2025) call for nuanced views to improve medicine, avoiding "estrogen-therefore-women" errors.

Broader Context

This misconception persists in media but is debunked in neuroscience and endocrinology, where hormones influence brains unisexually. Trending discussions on forums highlight how it stigmatizes conditions like PCOS (high testosterone in women) or male hypogonadism.

TL;DR : The classification misleads because these hormones are universal, not sex-exclusive; all genders produce and need them for diverse functions.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.