Testosterone is an androgenic hormone. It is considered the main male hormone, which is responsible for sexual characteristics and even behavioral responses. The female body also has testosterone, only in much lower concentrations. The cause of increased testosterone in women is a failure in the formation of this hormone. All this can lead to changes in appearance and various diseases.
Male Hormone Functions
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by the Leydig cells in men, and in women by the ovaries, fat cells, and adrenal glands in all people.
In the female body, it regulates the function of the sebaceous glands, bone formation and bone marrow activity, as well as sexual desire, mood and, most importantly, the growth and development of follicles.
In women, testosterone plays a key role during puberty.maturation: under its influence, hair grows in the pubic and axillary areas. In addition, this hormone regulates the functions of many organs, including the reproductive tract, bone tissue, kidneys, liver, and muscles. In adult women, androgens are necessary for the synthesis of estrogens and have been shown to prevent bone loss and are responsible for sexual desire and satisfaction.
Without this hormone, the functioning of all systems and organs is impossible. But deviations from the norm (low or high testosterone levels) are much more dangerous for women, which can be caused by exposure to many adverse factors or various diseases.
Reasons
Ovarian tumors and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause increased androgen production.
The main cause of increased testosterone in women is the malfunction of the adrenal glands and gonads. In addition to PCOS, another cause of increased testosterone in women (called hyperandrogenism) is hereditary overgrowth of the adrenal cortex and other disorders of the functions of these glands. Medications such as anabolic steroids, which are sometimes abused by bodybuilders and other athletes to enhance performance, can also be the cause of hyperandrogenism symptoms.
With a sharp weight loss, malnutrition and significant physical exertion, there is also a failure in the hormone formation system. It is impossible not to say about hereditary predisposition, the impact of certain hormonaldrugs, hypothyroidism. Ovulation is also the cause of increased testosterone in women.
How testosterone affects the female body
Excess androgens can be a problem, resulting in masculinization symptoms such as acne, hirsutism (excessive growth of hair in inappropriate places such as the chin or upper lip, chest), thinning hair on the head (baldness), seborrhea.
It is interesting to note: such violations are possible not only in adults, but also in little girls. Because of this, parents should pay special attention to the development of their daughter, and if even the smallest doubt appears, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist. If you miss this moment and do not take action, then the figure may acquire masculine features, and subsequently it will be impossible to change anything.
About 10 percent of women with high testosterone levels have PCOS, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, lack of menstruation, infertility, blood sugar disorders (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes), and in some cases, excessive body hair. Most women with this disease are overweight and even obese.
Elevated testosterone, whether a woman has PCOS or not, is associated with serious he alth outcomes such as insulin resistance, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Dangerous Complications
With a sharp increase in blood levels of testosterone in the female body, processes begin that can lead to ovarian dysfunction, menstrual irregularities, lack of ovulation, and infertility.
During pregnancy there is a risk of severe course, intrauterine death of the fetus and frequent complications during childbirth. In addition, the likelihood of the formation of various tumors on the ovaries increases dramatically.
Researchers have provided evidence that increasing testosterone affects habits and character. Such representatives of the weaker sex have an increased craving for rivalry, dominance, gambling and the use of alcoholic beverages. But it is necessary to recognize that high testosterone always leads to a change in appearance, and the internal state is not transformed in all cases. It depends on psychological reasons, genetics and upbringing.
One of the potential complications of high testosterone levels in women is manifested in the form of depression and increased aggressiveness. This is typical not only for women, but also for girls in the prepubertal period.
Testosterone during pregnancy
During pregnancy, testosterone increases quite quickly. During this period, the placenta produces an additional portion of the hormone in question, and this is the norm. But it must be recognized that at periods of 4-8 weeks and from 13 to 20 weeks, miscarriage or fetal fading is possible if testosterone is elevated in the blood. In women, treatment of hyperandrogenism, if detected in time, will helpnormal gestation.
Many gynecologists, playing it safe, conduct hormone therapy aimed at reducing the level of testosterone in the blood, because during pregnancy it increases by 3-4 times. This is not always justified, as the placenta has the important ability to convert testosterone to estrogen, protecting mother and baby from the effects of hormones. It is interesting to note that hyperandrogenism in pregnant women is rare, but you should still be especially attentive to your body and new sensations.
Research
By taking blood from a vein on an empty stomach, testosterone is tested. The day of the cycle does not play a role, but it is recommended to carry out the analysis not during menstruation. Preliminary preparation consists in giving up alcohol, smoking, sex, heavy physical work and taking certain drugs. You should be aware that alcoholism and certain liver diseases can lower testosterone levels. Narcotics, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, clomiphene, androgens, and anabolic steroids can also lower testosterone levels. All medications you are taking must be reported to the doctor conducting the study.
Treatment
How to lower testosterone? This is a fairly simple, but not necessarily easy, way for most women: all you have to do is eat less sugar and refined carbs. The reason is that an excess of these elements causes an increase in blood sugar, which in turn causes an increase in insulin, which stimulatesovaries to produce male hormones. Additional moderate exercise will help even more. Artificial sweeteners don't work because they stimulate insulin production.
It is necessary to use tofu - bean curd. It is very rich in phytoestrogens, which maintain hormonal balance in the blood.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, vegetable oils are those essential nutrients that will help in solving the problem of how to lower testosterone. Drinking green tea with mint on a daily basis helps a lot.
If testosterone is elevated in women, drug treatment consists in prescribing hormonal drugs: Diane-35, Metipred and Dexamethasone, Yarina. The medication is prescribed by a doctor after finding out the main cause of hyperandrogenism.
