Testosterone Levels in Women

Testosterone is a hormone belonging to the androgen group of hormones. This steroid hormone is actually a male hormone secreted by the testes of males. The anabolic steroid is responsible for development of reproductive tissues, secondary sexual features and formation of prostate in males. It's also found in the body of females, responsible for development of secondary sexual characters. Testosterone is secreted by the ovaries of females. Scientific studies have shown that a male adult produces ten times more testosterone than a female. The ranges of testosterone in both males and females are very wide. It's because, from the biological perspective, maintaining a normal testosterone level is utmost essential for proper functioning of body. In this article, we shall deal specifically with testosterone levels in women.

Normal Levels

The amount of testosterone in females is dependent on body's weight, height and internal health condition. Age plays an important role in determining the amount of testosterone produced. Normal growth of facial hair, depth of voice, development of secondary sex organs, hair growth depend on normal testosterone level. When this hormone is secreted in inappropriate amount, then it's bound to show detrimental effects. The production of testosterone is highest during puberty. Prepubescent girls have less than 30 ng/dl of testosterone while the amount is at peak during puberty. There's a marked rise in the level of testosterone during onset of puberty. The average amount of testosterone at the age of 15 is 40 or 50 ng/dl while at the age of 20 it is approximately 70 ng/dl. There's a gradual fall in the hormonal level at the time of menopause. Adequate amount of testosterone in a female's body doesn't contribute to formation of extra muscle mass.

High Levels

High testosterone in females leads to development of masculine characters. This happens when the levels cross the normal limit. It leads to reversal of feminine characters. This leads to formation of coarse skin, excessive growth of facial hair, limbs, hands and chest. Under extreme circumstances, women might develop beards and coarse hair all over body. Gain in muscle mass lending a masculine built is one of the visible effects of high testosterone in females. It can also cause severe hair loss, baldness, and change in voice tone. Elevated levels of testosterone is women is also responsible for aggressive behavior. Women suffering from health related issues experience elevation in testosterone as a side effect. Such diseases include Cushing's syndrome, ovarian tumors, polycystic ovarian syndrome, dwarfism and Conn's syndrome. Apart from these diseases, there are certain other conditions that might elevate the levels of testosterone in women. Such health disorders are associated with malfunctioning of adrenal gland, thyroid disorders, acromegaly, adrenal hyperplasia, endocrine neoplasm and diabetes. Excessive intake of steroid supplements causes rise in testosterone level. Sudden increase in testosterone level can take place at any age. However, 30s is the peak time to observe such changes.

Low Levels

Women are likely to suffer from low testosterone as well. The symptoms of low testosterone in women are quite evident in the form of fatigue, depression, lack of sexual desire, gain in fat, dryness in vagina, absent of orgasm, hot flashes and painful intercourse. Women also face difficulty to conceive when suffering from low testosterone in body. The genuine cause behind this is drastic fall in the level after menopause. Excess intake of birth control pills is also one of the key reasons behind sudden fall in testosterone level in many women. Other medical conditions associated with it are high blood pressure, damage of pituitary gland, meningitis, syphilis, morbid obesity, diabetes and ovarian cancer. Women deficient in testosterone are often suggested to undergo external supplements of testosterone. Testosterone therapy for women has various methods. It could be supplemented as pills, injections, gels/creams or pellets. The treatment is extremely sensitive and is done under strict supervision of doctors.

You should undergo the hormonal check up in case you face difficulty in performing daily activities or changes in your mood behavior and sexual desires. It's recommended only to be on the safe side.