High Testosterone in females: causes, symptoms, and more

High Testosterone in Women: Causes, Symptoms and What to Do

After this peak, testosterone levels gradually decline throughout a woman’s life. However, there are certain conditions or circumstances that can cause a temporary increase in testosterone levels, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or certain medical treatments. Furthermore, high testosterone levels in women can also impact their reproductive health. Excess testosterone can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods or the complete absence of menstruation. This can make it more difficult for women to conceive if they are trying to get pregnant.

If you need to kick start a diet plan, you can try these 12 simple tweaks for weight loss. Even just walking can help to shed extra pounds and can have a positive impact on your health in general. Along with showing signs of high testosterone, adrenal gland dysfunction can raise your cortisol levels and cause high blood pressure, digestive problems, or trouble sleeping. For example, if girls who are approaching puberty have levels of testosterone above 44 ng/dL, they may take on a more masculine-like appearance.

Herbal supplements or teas such as fennel, ginseng, fenugreek, and sweet cumin may help balance hormones in those with PCOS. Herbs such as Cinnamomum cassia and Aloe vera may reduce blood glucose and help restore insulin sensitivity. Ginger is said to boost fertility in those having trouble conceiving due to PCOS. You can also try foods such as fatty fish (like salmon) and flaxseed, which some studies show may help lower testosterone in women. Fatty fish, flaxseeds, licorice roots, and red reishi mushrooms can help lower testosterone in women. However, before increasing your intake of these foods, consult your doctor first to avoid any unwanted interactions with prescribed medications.

I do not recommend pellets or injections, and neither do most academic menopause experts. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men. If a woman is suffering from symptoms of high testosterone levels, she should manage the underlying cause as soon as possible before more serious complications arise. Ensure sufficient and quality sleep, as sleep deprivation can disrupt hormonal balance and increase testosterone levels.

Hirsutism is a hormonal condition that can causes 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 caused by an imbalance of androgen hormones. Β-estradiol promoted lipolysis via ATGL induction, especially at low doses, indicating a stronger preventive effect. Testosterone, on the other hand, significantly increased CGI- 58 expression at all doses, contributing more to the therapeutic improvement of steatotic cells. Since CGI- 58 is critical for ATGL activation, testosterone may enhance lipolysis even without a major change in ATGL expression. Conversely, estradiol contributes to hepatic lipid homeostasis by modulating lipid metabolism pathways. It downregulates lipogenic enzymes, including fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), while simultaneously promoting fatty acid oxidation [24].

It’s not often discussed, but diabetes can lead to sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, a decline in fertility, and vaginal dryness may all result from damage to the small blood vessels and nerves caused by chronic hyperglycemia. The body’s sexual response depends on nerve signals that communicate with the brain and adequate blood flow, both of which can be compromised by high blood sugar. Learn more about diabetes, including the types, symptoms, causes, and treatments. Medical experts share how to know whether you have it, what foods to avoid if you do, and how to manage your blood sugar levels. Cis women have been reported to have stronger immune responses than cis men.

SHBG, which has a higher affinity for testosterone than for estradiol, is responsible for binding and transporting these hormones in the bloodstream. SHBG levels are inversely correlated with hepatic triglyceride accumulation [52]. Experimental studies have demonstrated that PPAR-γ suppresses SHBG expression by binding to its gene promoter region [53]. Therefore, in clinical contexts, both estrogen and testosterone may reduce triglyceride and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting PPAR-γ and subsequently increasing SHBG expression.

Below you have example #1 which is a female with high FREE testosterone and high “normal” total testosterone. The test is typically performed in the morning when testosterone levels are at their highest. Before performing this test, a doctor may ask you to stop taking any prescriptions that could affect the test results. Thus, while both hormones contribute to treatment, β-estradiol appears more effective in prevention.

Women with CAH may have ambiguous genitalia at birth and deca e testosterona ciclo (www.ragusaninelmondo.it) may develop excess facial and body hair during puberty. High testosterone is something an estimated one in 10 women deal with, and it’s most often a result of polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Elevated levels of testosterone can cause issues both internally—like insulin resistance and infertility—as well as externally, like excess body hair and acne. There isn’t a single answer to how to treat high testosterone in women, but medications and lifestyle changes can help get testosterone back in an optimal range while improving any complications that arose when levels were too high. Working with a healthcare professional, like a Midi clinician, can help you determine if your levels are high and what to do about it. In conclusion, high testosterone levels in women can cause a range of symptoms and signs, including hirsutism, acne, irregular menstrual cycles, and reproductive health issues.

Women naturally secrete higher total amounts of androgens compared to estrogens, with testosterone being a key androgen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) forming through peripheral metabolism51. Bodybuilders who supplement with testosterone often have enhanced muscle strength and bone density as well as decreased body fat. But bodybuilders take supraphysiologic doses of it—that is, amounts much higher than any woman’s body would ever make on its own. When experts prescribe testosterone to postmenopausal women, it is intended to replicate the amount a younger woman makes, and taking too much can lead to an array of unpleasant side effects. Encouragingly, there’s been a major step forward in how androgen excess is addressed. In June 2024, the Society for Endocrinology in the UK published new clinical guidelines to help doctors better identify and manage the condition.