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High Testosterone in Women: Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Normal Testosterone Levels and Symptoms of an Imbalance

Testosterone levels decline in women as they get older, impacting the production of other sex hormones. However, you can experience low T at any time in your life due to certain medical conditions. Premenopausal women produce almost three times as much testosterone than they do oestrogen (the female sex hormone). Despite this, its importance in women’s health and wellbeing is often overlooked. If your healthcare provider suspects that your testosterone levels may be too high or too low, they might recommend a blood test to measure the hormone levels accurately. A healthcare provider will likely recommend lifestyle changes to balance your high testosterone levels. A study of women considered overweight or obese found that losing weight through diet and exercise lowered their testosterone levels by 15.6%.

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. However, testosterone levels also naturally decrease as we age, so there isn’t always an underlying concern. However, when female bodies produce an excess amount of testosterone or other androgens, their bodies can’t keep up with converting it to estrogen.

While men produce much more testosterone than women, this hormone is still essential for women’s health. For these reasons, doctors usually advise against testosterone treatment for women. In fact, there are many possible side effects of testosterone therapy in women, even in women with naturally low levels of testosterone.

While women produce it in a smaller quantity, it is still essential for various functions, including maintenance of libido (sex drive), bone health and muscle mass. In some cases, an intersex condition could be the cause, wherein the person has chromosomal, hormonal, or physiological sex variations that don’t fit into the typical, binary definition of male or female. In extreme cases, high testosterone levels in women could be an indication of a more severe medical condition where tumors may be present on the ovaries or the adrenal glands.

Clinical chemistry was analyzed at the Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Quantitative measurement of serum hormone levels was performed using MassChrom Steroids LC-MS/MS Assays (Chromsystems) by UPLC-ESI-MS (LCMS-8060, Shimadzu). Cis women have been reported to have stronger immune responses than cis men. This can confer advantages in the defense against infections, but it may also contribute to a higher susceptibility to autoimmune diseases (32–34). Despite well-established differences in incidence and disease course of autoimmune diseases between cis women and cis men, the underlying biological mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

Your health care provider may further recommend an ultrasound to check your ovaries and uterus if they suspect PCOS. If a person is suspected of having an adrenal pathology, they need to be evaluated with either computerized tomography (CT) or MRI. PCOS is an endocrine condition that affects 1 in 10 people with ovaries worldwide. PCOS interferes with the menstrual cycle and makes it difficult to get pregnant. You can have a blood test at your GP but an at home finger prick test is also an option.

High testosterone in women can usually be treated with specific prescribed hormone medications. Before adding any herbal remedies to your diet, talk to your doctor about how long before testosterone shots take effect (www.leristrutturazioni.it) they may interact with any drugs you’re taking or affect any medical conditions you may have. Reducing your testosterone may help reduce any masculine traits caused by your high levels of testosterone. As a result, they may experience masculinization, also called virilization, and develop more male secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair and male pattern baldness.

In this article, we will talk about normal testosterone levels in women to help you determine whether your testosterone is balanced or needs proper treatment. But before we discuss testosterone levels, let’s first see its role in women’s health. First, your healthcare provider does a physical examination and talks to you about your symptoms and medical history. Many providers hesitate to diagnose low testosterone because research on the link between testosterone levels and specific symptoms isn’t well known. Low testosterone is often hard to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other conditions like depression, thyroid issues or low iron (anemia).

With the exception of certain diagnostic test panels, list available here, the tests we offer access to are not intended to diagnose or treat disease. None of our tests are intended to be a substitute for seeking professional medical advice, help, diagnosis, or treatment. This at-home test makes hormonal testing more affordable and convenient, giving you accurate information on a key part of your hormonal health, which you can then discuss with your healthcare provider. Also, keep in mind that if you’re experiencing high testosterone, it’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider to learn what their recommendation is.

SheCares.com is dedicated to providing reliable, up-to-date information and advice on the most common topics in women’s health, including PMS, menopause, natural hormones, hormonal conditions, and fertility. Some doctors may prescribe Estratests in postmenopausal women as it contains both oestrogen and testosterone. Some may prescribe DHEA supplements to increase your testosterone precursor levels. Before starting any regime to lower testosterone, it’s important to first consult a health care provider. What treatment they recommend usually depends on what’s causing the high testosterone. Typically, a health care provider will recommend lifestyle changes, including dietary changes, for more sustained results.