Testosterone is a hormone that although it is usually higher in men, is also found in women in smaller amounts.
The woman may suspect that she has a lot of testosterone in the bloodstream when she has typical male symptoms such as the presence of facial hair and a more serious voice. These can arise at any stage of life due to health problems or when the woman is taking some testosterone supplement. If this increase is caused by supplementation, the doctor can reduce its dosage, thus normalizing the concentration of testosterone in the woman.
Any abnormal increase in testosterone may be related to ovarian changes such as the presence of polycystic ovaries or ovarian cancer, and should be investigated by a gynecologist.
Signs of Testosterone Excess in Women
Some signs that may indicate the increase of testosterone in women are:
- Increased body hair, including growth of hair on the face and chest;
- Absence of menstruation or irregular;
- Oily skin and acne increase;
- Spontaneous abortions;
- Hair loss similar to men's baldness;
- Change in voice, becoming more serious;
- Decreased breast;
- Clitoral enlargement;
- Ovulation changes leading to infertility.
To confirm that the testosterone is increased in the woman besides observing the appearance of these signs should be carried out a blood test that indicates the total amount of the hormone. Testosterone tests can be:
- 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone that should be between 20 and 172 ng / dL;
- Total testosterone that should be between 0.2 and 1;
- Free testosterone that should be between 0.3 and 2.5 pg / dL;
- SDHEA that should be between 35 and 430 mcg / dL.
Although the tests are useful to indicate the amount of the hormone in the female body they may be unspecific and are not always reliable and so the doctor does not always ask for them, indicating the treatment only for the symptoms presented. The CA 125 exam is useful to indicate if it is an ovarian tumor that is present and that is leading to increased testosterone.
How to Lower Testosterone in Women
Treatment to normalize testosterone levels in women may include decreased or discontinued testosterone supplementation if the woman is following this treatment, or can be done by supplementing with female hormones such as estrogen to balance hormone levels in women. A good option is taking the contraceptive pill.
It is also possible to decrease this hormone naturally by drinking green tea daily and by using whole foods and reducing the consumption of carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, potatoes and white bread. Exercising regularly and decreasing daily stress is also important for regulating the female hormones without having to resort to medications.
Causes of Excess Testosterone in Women
Excessive production of testosterone by the female ovaries may be a consequence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, ovarian cancer or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, for example.
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