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High Testosterone in Women: Symptoms, Causes, and Natural Solutions

Testosterone levels by age chart: Female

High testosterone in females can cause a range of symptoms, from excess facial hair to infertility. A woman’s testosterone levels may be high due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If symptoms suggest high testosterone levels, the doctor will take a blood sample and test hormone levels. It is a hormonal condition that healthcare professionals believe has links to genetics. If testosterone is used it should be in a non-oral form such as a skin gel, cream, patch or implant under the skin. The dose of testosterone should reproduce blood levels that are seen in young women. Levels higher than this are likely to cause side effects such as excess body hair, scalp hair loss and acne, and are considered unsafe.

Most experts agree that longitudinal evaluation of symptoms such as acne, hirsutism, and oligomenorrhea should occur over the span of the first 1–2 years after menarche before establishing a diagnosis of PCOS. Obstetrician–gynecologists also should recognize that PCOS exists along a spectrum that may evolve over time and can present differently among different ethnicities. Treatment of acne and hirsutism should not be withheld during the ongoing longitudinal evaluation for possible PCOS. An unhealthy diet, lifestyle and emotions can elevate cortisol, one of the stress hormones, which impacts on testosterone levels as well as affecting our health in many other ways. Not only that, stress itself can result in an unhealthy lifestyle and a vicious cycle can occur. Cushing disease is a problem with the pituitary gland that leads to excess amounts of corticosteroids.

If you think you may have symptoms of low testosterone or excess testosterone, talk to your healthcare provider. It’s important to note that the normal ranges for testosterone levels can vary based on the type of blood test done and the laboratory where should testosterone be injected it is done. Your provider will always reference your laboratory’s normal ranges when interpreting your results.

Although progestins vary in their androgenic potential, when combined with the effects of ethinyl estradiol, the net effect of all OCPs is antiandrogenic 8. However, for patients who do not show improvement on first or second generation progestins, a third or fourth generation progestin may be helpful. Surgical removal of the ovaries and oestrogen-containing medications can lower levels of testosterone. As symptoms can be subtle, the effect of low testosterone can sometimes be mistakenly diagnosed as depression. Most testosterone is converted to oestrogen in women, so naturally they have lower levels than men. However, despite these smaller amounts, when women’s testosterone levels are not balanced, it may result in symptoms that can impact on their quality of life. Ovarian overproduction of androgens is a condition in which the ovaries make too much testosterone.

If low testosterone and androgen deficiency are causing premenstrual symptoms, it may be best to take appropriate steps to treat the low testosterone premenstrual symptoms. The most common reason for heightened levels of testosterone in women is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) where there is an imbalance of hormones and problems with your metabolism. PCOS is estimated to affect around 4-8% of women of child-bearing age. To measure testosterone levels, a woman can have a testosterone blood test ordered by a healthcare provider, such as a primary care physician, OB-GYN, or endocrinologist.

This makes your body store fat differently—particularly around your abdomen—and makes weight much harder to lose through conventional methods. Testosterone is a steroid hormone that belongs to a class of hormones called androgens. It is produced mostly in the testes of men and the ovaries of women, although small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands as well. Testosterone is best known for its anabolic effects, like building muscle and tissues, helping with protein synthesis, and increasing bone density. Cushing disease, a form of Cushing syndrome, is related to high levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, a hormone that increases cortisol and may also lead to excess androgens in the body. [3] Those with Cushing syndrome may also notice purple stretch marks on the stomach, rapid weight gain, and high blood pressure. If you’re concerned about your testosterone levels, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider.

After ether evaporation, the dried extract was dissolved in 200 µL of PBS, and testosterone was then measured on the Cobas e801 autoanalyzer. Total testosterone levels after extraction were 5.6 nmol/L (Table 1). For quality control, the same extraction procedure was applied to a healthy male sample, with levels of testosterone before and after extraction being 9.8 nmol/L and 9.9 nmol/L, respectively, indicating full recovery. The total testosterone level after extraction procedure was 5.6 nmol/L, significantly lower than the initial level but still 2.5 times higher than a normal female’s upper limit. Across the eight studies that quantified serum testosterone levels and included control groups, mean serum testosterone levels were approximately 18% higher in the athlete group compared to controls. The studies reviewed here did not compare levels of testosterone from different sources (mainly serum vs. saliva). If your body produces too much testosterone, you may have irregular or absent periods.

Our core values guide everything we do, including standards that ensure the quality and trustworthiness of our content and editorial processes. We’re committed to providing information that is up-to-date, accurate, and relies on evidence-based research and peer-reviewed journals. ‍Whether you need personalized guidance or a prescription routine to tackle symptoms—including vaginal dryness and irritation, brain fog, hot flashes, sleep trouble, mood swings, and weight gain—we’ve got you covered. My weight gain was out of control, and I tried other programs with no luck. I love the timely and effective access to doctors through online or telehealth visits. The best way to treat high testosterone is to treat what’s actually causing the elevated hormones in the first place.

For some women, losing weight—especially by reducing caloric intake—can help bring testosterone down and also improve symptoms like unwanted hair growth. Androgens have direct effects on reproduction via the androgen receptor and indirect effects through conversion to estrogen. Androgen receptor knockout mouse populations (complete,7, 8 granulosa cell specific9 and gonadotroph specific10) show decreased fertility, change in cycle length, poor follicle health, and decreased ovulation. Clinically and experimentally, excess androgens either from an endogenous11 or exogenous source12 result in increased follicle recruitment but then arrested follicle development. In PCOS, chronically elevated luteinizing hormone and insulin (hyperinsulinemia) levels lead to increased androgen production within your ovaries. In addition, hyperinsulinemia prevents your liver from producing sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which results in increased levels of free testosterone in your blood.