Symptoms of high testosterone levels in women

Testosterone (androgen) is the male hormone, and it is produced in small amounts in a woman’s ovary. Testosterone helps grow some reproductive tissues in women along with estrogen. Today we'll learn about testosterone hormone, its levels, benefits, and effects on women., because Fitness Garage cares about everything related to women's health.

Normal testosterone levels in women

There are some natural levels of testosterone in women, approximately:

Testosterone imbalance in a woman's body can have some negative effects on her health and sex drive

What are male and female hormones?

Sex hormones are divided into two types:

• Female hormones are: Estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone.
• Male hormones are: Androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, testosterone.

Symptoms of high testosterone in women

There are common symptoms when testosterone levels rise in women, and they are:

• Excess body hair especially facial hair.
• Baldness.
• Acne.
• Enlargement of the back.
• Decrease in breast size.
• Increase in muscle mass.

High testosterone levels can lead to:

• Irregular menstrual cycles.
• Reduced sex drive.
• Ongoing mood swings.

In more severe cases, high testosterone levels can cause issues with bones or obesity.

Diagnosing high testosterone

If you notice some symptoms, you should see a doctor right away. The doctor will check you and tell you if you need more tests. Some common symptoms are:

• Unusual facial hair growth.
• Acne.
• Excess body hair

The doctor will do a blood test to check hormone levels in your blood. They might ask you to stop taking any medicines for a while.

Causes of high testosterone in women

Some diseases can mess up your hormones. The most common causes are hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, and congenital adrenal gland enlargement. Here’s a detailed explanation:

• Hirsutism: Too much hair is a hormonal disorder that causes unwanted hair growth, especially on the face and chest. Hair growth mostly depends on genes, but this case happens due to a hormonal problem.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome: This is another hormonal disorder caused by high androgen hormones in women. If you have this, you’ll have irregular periods and swollen ovaries. Other complications include infertility, miscarriage, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and uterine cancer.

• Enlargement of the adrenal gland: This enlargement causes a hormone disorder affecting the whole body, leading to higher androgen (testosterone) levels. Symptoms are infertility, early pubic hair growth, and acne.

Treatment methods for testosterone disorder

Hormone treatment depends on the cause of the disorder, but generally includes some lifestyle changes and certain medications, which are:

• Glucocorticoid steroids
• Metformin
• Oral contraceptives
• Spironolactone

Many studies have shown that birth control pills help stop the increase of pregnancy hormone, but this method isn't for everyone. The doctor sets the right doses. Also, metformin and spironolactone help lower this hormone. Most times, you’ll need a diet that suits you or to lose some weight. So, you can join one of the Fitness Garage trainers by visiting the Facebook page.