High levels of testosterone in women are an indication of a huge problem found now among women.
Testosterone belongs to male androgen, but women also have testosterone but with a low amount the ovaries produce both testosterone and estrogen.
Relatively small quantities of testosterone are released into your bloodstream by the ovaries and adrenal glands, the female sex hormone testosterone helps with the growth, maintenance, and repair of women's reproductive tissues, bone mass, and human behavior.
High levels of testosterone in women symptoms
Too much testosterone can cause symptoms that affect a woman's physical appearance including:
- Excess body hair, especially facial hair
- Blading
- Acne
- Enlarged clitoris
- Decreased breast size
- Deepening of voice
- Increased muscle size
Over high levels of testosterone in women can also cause:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Low libido
- Mood changes
In severe testosterone imbalances in women, high testosterone can cause fertility and obesity.
Diagnosis of high levels of testosterone in women
If you notice any of the symptoms above, you should talk to your doctor.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination based on your symptoms to determine whether or not you need additional tests, during the examination, he will look for these symptoms:
- Abnormal facial hair
- Acne
- Excess body hair
So the doctor will suggest a testosterone test to measure hormone levels in your blood to perform this test. your doctor will draw, take some of your blood, and have it examined for hormone level.
This test is typically performed in the morning when testosterone levels are at their highest and before performing this test your doctor may ask you to stop taking any prescription that could affect the test results.
Causes of the high levels of testosterone in women
Various diseases or hormonal disorders can cause hormonal changes in women.
The most common cause of high testosterone levels in women is hirsutism, polycystic syndrome, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Hirsutism
Hirsutism is a hormonal condition in women that causes the growth of unwanted hair, specifically on the back, face, and chest, the amount of body hair growth is highly dependent on genetics but this condition is primarily suddenly an increase of a high level of testosterone hormone.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome pcos is another hormonal disorder caused by an excess of androgen hormones in women, patient with PCOS may have irregular or prolonged periods, unwanted body hair growth, and enlarged ovaries that may not function properly, other common complications of PCOS are:
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Endometrial cancer
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a disorder that directly affects the adrenal glands and the productive hormones, the body overproduces androgen.
Common symptoms of this disorder in women include:
- Infertility
- Masculine characteristics
- The early appearance of pubic hair
- Severe acne
Treatment of high levels of testosterone in women
Therapy for high testosterone depends on the cause but generally includes medication or lifestyle changes medications used to treat high testosterone levels include; Glucocorsteriods, Metformin, Oral contraceptives, and Spironolactone.
Oral contraceptives have been shown as an effective treatment for blocking testosterone but this method will interfere if you have immediate plans to get pregnant.
According to research from the American academy of family physicians low dose birth contraceptives, that use low levels of norgestimate gestodene, and desogestrel are the best medications, All of these medications are only available by prescription, to obtain one, you must meet with your doctor or gynecologist.
Making specific lifestyle changes can also affect testosterone levels, starting an exercise or weight loss program can help because losing weight can improve symptoms including shaving or bleaching hair and using facial cleansers for acne or oily skin.
Summary
If you are experiencing symptoms of high levels of testosterone in women, meet your doctor and they will be able to find the cause and come up with a specific treatment plan because high levels of testosterone in women if not treated cause critical problems for women.
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