What Causes High Testosterone in Women? Female Testosterone Levels
Women with low testosterone may experience dips in energy or fatigue. Testosterone stimulates red blood cell production and helps stabilize iron levels.(41) Red blood cells and iron work together to carry oxygen to the cells, and when cells don’t receive enough oxygen, fatigue can set in. Restoring testosterone to normal levels can help reverse these trends. HRT can help relieve testosterone-related symptoms in women, leading to improvements in mood, confidence, and overall health. Just as estrogen and progesterone are essential to women’s health, so is testosterone. The hormone plays a role in increasing muscle mass, which supports weight management and prevents the accumulation of fat in the belly and back that often occurs as women age. In many cases, there is an underlying health condition that may result in high testosterone levels.
The cause is usually treated easily, and catching it early minimizes the risk of any complications from T imbalances. Eliminating any external source of high T levels is often the first line of treatment for high T caused by medication or steroid use. Excess testosterone in male children can lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of nine. At around week seven in utero, the sex-related gene on the Y chromosome initiates the development of the testicles in male infants.
Often, a longitudinal assessment of a patient’s symptoms, examination findings, and laboratory values are required before a health care provider can distinguish pubertal changes from PCOS. Adolescents with hirsutism or acne can testosterone make you lose hair (artecom-event.de) be treated with a goal of symptom control before assignment of a final diagnosis. Anticipatory guidance is critical to help patients understand the timeline for expected responses to therapy. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved testosterone therapy as a treatment for any condition in women.
However, when acne and/or hirsutism are unresponsive to conventional therapy because of hormone imbalances, more potent antiandrogens may be considered. High testosterone affects 1 in 8 women of reproductive age (about 10–13%), with PCOS being the most common underlying cause. Because testosterone is a hormone, symptoms of deficiency resemble symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. [2] In fact, certain experts argue that misdiagnosis and lack of treatment are common for these reasons. Testosterone also works together with other hormones like estrogen to keep the ovaries functioning properly. Having the right balance of these hormones is important for overall health. It's possible for an ovarian tumor to cause androgen production to increase.
Managing high testosterone can be difficult, but there are ways to promote healthy hormone levels. If the symptoms seem abnormal, your doctor may recommend a testosterone test to measure the level in your blood. The expert may perform this test in the morning when the testosterone is at its highest. Doctors ask you to stop taking any medications before the test to avoid the possible side effects. Because testosterone is key for supporting several basic bodily functions, symptoms can arise if testosterone levels get too low or too high. They revealed that women with genetically higher testosterone levels have a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37 percent. On the other hand, men had a reduction of type 2 diabetes risk by 14 percent if they had higher testosterone levels.
The testicles in the male reproductive system and the ovaries in the female reproductive system make androgens. Your adrenal glands, which sit on top of each of your kidneys, also produce these hormones. Other tissues, such as fat and skin, play roles in converting weak androgens into more potent (powerful) ones. Eating a low-glycemic diet and limiting foods high in sugar and refined carbs can help rebalance your blood sugar levels and get you the nutrition you need. You may also discuss an appropriate weight loss diet with a healthcare provider if you are overweight or have obesity.
If any of these organs — your hypothalamus, pituitary gland or gonads — aren’t working normally, that can cause abnormal testosterone levels. Engaging in regular physical activity can help balance hormone levels. Focus on moderate-intensity exercises like walking, cycling, and yoga to reduce stress and improve overall health. Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to reduce testosterone levels.
In regard to therapies for women with low T levels, there is very limited research on the topic. There are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved testosterone medical treatments for women. Yet, more than 30 FDA-approved therapies exist for men in the United States. Aging plays a crucial role in the development of low testosterone or testosterone deficiency in women. "By the time a woman reaches 40, testosterone blood levels have declined significantly," Dr. Dorr says. Read on to learn more about the signs and symptoms of high testosterone in males, when to contact a doctor, and more.
