High Testosterone in Women

Many associate testosterone only to males, as it known to be the steroid hormone found in the androgen group of mammals and other vertebrates. Even though it is the male sex hormone secreted by testes in males, there is a very minute amount also secreted by the ovaries in females. Testosterone is related sexual functions in men and many times is known to play similar functions in women as well. Testosterone levels in women is one tenth the amount of testosterone found in a man's body, and this level depends greatly on the age, body weight, height and metabolism of a woman's body, which can also lead to high testosterone in women.

The levels of this hormone are the same in prepubescent boys and girls, but when they hit puberty, the levels increase in males and decrease in females after menopause. However, the little testosterone present in a woman's body helps them to be physically fit. But there can be serious problems when there is high testosterone in women, which can be corrected with the help of testosterone therapy. Find out the causes and effects of these abnormal testosterone levels in women, from the coming up paragraphs.

High Levels of Testosterone in Women

As mentioned above, the testosterone levels in boys and girls till puberty is about 30 ng/dl, which increases with age in both men and women but is supposed to decrease after menopause in women. This increase in case of women should go to 50 ng/dl by the age of 15 and 70 ng/dl till they are 20 years old. After 20 years of age, this level is said to be normal till menopause and then it decreases. But many a time, there are cases where high testosterone in women are observed due to many causes. This elevation in the levels can have drastic effects on the body and lead to very serious health problems. Find more about these causes and effects in the paragraphs mentioned below, take a look.

Causes of High Testosterone

• There are a number of causes for this abnormal high testosterone in women. Some may be natural while the others induced. One of the major causes of this can be low estrogen levels in the body, which are considered to increase testosterone naturally. The testosterone that is produced in women is converted into the female reproductive hormone, estrogen.
• However, when there are low estrogen levels in the body, the androgens and testosterone are circulated more freely in the body, stimulating more cells. There are also a few testosterone boosting foods which can also be responsible.
• Another cause of these high testosterone is, having the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This disease is caused due to the production of "free" form of testosterone in a female system. This can cause infertility, irregular or absent menstrual periods, and sometimes excess hair growth.
• Many times,testosterone is also secreted by adrenal glands, thus, if you have a problem with the glands there can be high testosterone. This can also be due to a condition known as late onset or non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where there is less production of the enzyme that produces the hormones.

Effects of High Testosterone

• Because of this high testosterone levels in women, there are a number of symptoms which are observed. These symptoms of high testosterone in women can be very harmful to a woman's body as her hormonal changes are more sensitive than a man's.
• There biggest effects of high testosterone in females that are seen are the gynecologic effects, which are irregular periods, infertility and enlarged clitoris. Physically, these levels may lead to cholesterol and high blood pressure, sleep apnea, increased facial hair growth and liver diseases. There are a few mental effects which are also observed such increased sexual desire, aggression and competitiveness.

With this information about high testosterone in women, it is quite easy to diagnose this abnormality. There is a testosterone therapy for women, which can be used in such cases. Therefore, if you are observing and experiencing any of these symptoms, I suggest you visit your doctor immediately and consult for related treatment.