Is low free testosterone in women a fact or fiction? Explore the symptoms, epidemiology, and management of this often-overlooked condition. Discover the latest insights and evidence-based approaches to identify and address androgen deficiency in women.

Significance of Androgens in Women’s Health

It has become apparent that androgens play a significant role in women’s health. More than the expected level of androgens in a woman’s bloodstream causes obvious symptoms of androgen excess; however, the consequences of female androgen deficiency are less readily apparent. The symptoms are subtle, affecting a woman’s sexual desire, satisfaction, and mood, and are commonly mistaken as signs of an underlying depression, prompting referral for counseling and psychotherapy, when hormone measurements would be more appropriate and more fruitful.

Symptoms of Androgen Deficiency

The symptoms of androgen deficiency in women may very closely resemble other conditions. The chief complaint of androgen-deficient women is decreased sexual desire, which is often characterized by a decrease in sexual thoughts and fantasies, as well as actions. Muscle weakness is another frequent complaint, especially in athletic patients. It appears that genital arousal and orgasmic response may also be negatively affected, and vaginal lubrication may decrease, even in women who are menstruating regularly.

Female Androgen Metabolism

In women, testosterone is produced in various locations. One quarter of the hormone is produced in the ovary, a quarter is produced in the adrenal gland, and one half is produced in the peripheral tissues from the various precursors produced in the ovaries and adrenal gland. There is also much interconversion among steroid hormones. The main precursor in the ovary is androstenedione, which is converted primarily to estrone, but which can also be converted to androgens. The main precursors in the adrenal gland are DHEA and DHEA-S.

Epidemiology of Decreased Libido

In 1999, it was reported that the proportion of women in the United States between the ages of 18 and 59 with sexual dysfunction was 43%. However, because little attention has been paid publicly to female sexual dysfunction, this area has remain neglected, and only now is there understanding of such disorders in women. The percentage of women, categorized by age, education, and ethnic background, who complained of decreased sexual desire in the different categories ranged from 22% to 44%, with a mean of 32%. This would put the number of women with decreased libido in the tens of millions in this country alone. How many of these women have decreased androgens is unknown, but the number is estimated to be between 10 and 15 million.

Who May Be Affected?

Most of the current clinical experience with androgens and androgen deficiency has been in post-menopausal women who complain of decreased sexual desire after cessation of menses, and are not helped by estrogen replacement therapy alone. The question of androgen deficiency has largely been ignored in pre-menopausal women. Testosterone levels have usually been measured in this population only when looking for excess production in women complaining of facial hair, loss of scalp hair, infertility, or acne.

Diagnosis and Management

A recent presentation at the 2000 Female Sexual Function Forum meeting in Boston revealed that 36 premenopausal and 38 postmenopausal women complaining of decreased sexual desire were evaluated for androgen deficiency. The results showed that the majority of these women had low free testosterone levels, and their symptoms improved with androgen replacement therapy. This suggests that androgen deficiency may be a significant factor in the development of decreased sexual desire in both pre- and post-menopausal women.

Importance of Awareness and Appropriate Treatment

Because the symptoms of androgen deficiency resemble those of depression, misdiagnosis and lack of treatment are common. Improved awareness of the symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and appropriate available treatments are needed, to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary or inappropriate treatments. By addressing androgen deficiency, healthcare providers can help improve the sexual health and overall well-being of many women.

fact or fiction? » Sexual Medicine » BUMC

By André Guay and Susan R. Davis

Excerpt from World Journal of Urology 2002. 20:106-110

It has become apparent that androgens play a significant role in women’s health. More than the expected level of androgens in a woman’s blood stream causes obvious symptoms of androgen excess; less readily apparent are the consequences of female androgen deficiency. The symptoms are subtle, affecting a woman’s sexual desire, satisfaction, and mood, and are commonly mistaken as signs of an underlying depression, prompting referral for counseling and psychotherapy, when hormone measurements would be more appropriate and more fruitful. Androgen deficiency in women is a topic that the medical community has been slow to address. This is partially attributed to the fact that the most common symptom is decreased libido, a very common nonspecific complaint that has long been associated with the psychological issues of stress and depression. One of the earliest reports showing an association between decreased sexual desire and decreased testosterone in women was published in 1959, but acceptance of this association has been slow. However, more evidence now shows that many women-pre-menopausal and post-menopausal-do suffer from androgen deficiency. Because the symptoms of such a deficiency resemble those of depression, misdiagnosis and lack of treatment are common. Improved awareness of the symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and appropriate available treatments are needed, to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary or inappropriate treatments.

Symptoms of androgen deficiency
The symptoms of androgen deficiency in women may very closely resemble other conditions. The chief complaint of androgen-deficient women is decreased sexual desire, which is often characterized by a decrease in sexual thoughts and fantasies, as well as actions. Muscle weakness is another frequent complaint, especially in athletic patients. It appears that genital arousal and orgasmic response may also be negatively affected, and vaginal lubrication may decrease, even in women who are menstruating regularly. There is some evidence that testosterone, apart from estrogen, may have a direct function in genital arousal and orgasmic physiology .

Female androgen metabolism
In women, testosterone is produced in various locations. One quarter of the hormone is produced in the ovary, a quarter is produced in the adrenal gland, and one half is produced in the peripheral tissues from the various precursors produced in the ovaries and adrenal gland. There is also much interconversion among steroid hormones. The main precursor in the ovary is androstenedione, which is converted primarily to estrone, but which can also be converted to androgens. The main precursors in the adrenal gland are DHEA and DHEA-S. It is, therefore, reasonable to expect the symptoms of testosterone deficiency after menopause, since nearly half of the testosterone is manufactured by the ovary, although the post-menopausal ovary still produces some steroid hormones. The recent finding of decreased testosterone and DHEA-S production in both pre- and post-menopausal women brings up the possibility of an enzyme defect causing decreased DHEA production. DHEA is derived from 17 hydroxypregnenolone through the action of the enzyme 17, 20 lyase. If this enzyme is deficient, the DHEA would be low.

Epidemiology of decreased libido
In 1999, it was reported that the proportion of women in the United States between the ages of 18 and 59 with sexual dysfunction was 43%. However, because little attention has been paid publicly to female sexual dysfunction, this area has remain neglected, and only now is there understanding of such disorders in women. The percentage of women, categorized by age, education, and ethnic background, who complained of decreased sexual desire in the different categories ranged from 22% to 44%, with a mean of 32%. This would put the number of women with decreased libido in the tens of millions in this country alone. How many of these women have decreased androgens is unknown, but the number is estimated to be between 10 and 15 million.

Who may be affected?
Most of the current clinical experience with androgens and androgen deficiency has been in post-menopausal women who complain of decreased sexual desire after cessation of menses, and are not helped by estrogen replacement therapy alone. The question of androgen deficiency has largely been ignored in pre-menopausal women. Testosterone levels have usually been measured in this population only when looking for excess production in women complaining of facial hair, loss of scalp hair, infertility, or acne. A recent presentation at the 2000 Female Sexual Function Forum meeting in Boston revealed that 36 premenopausal and 38 postmenopausal women complaining of decreased libido also had decreased total and free plasma testosterone levels as well as decreased levels of DHEA-S.

Guidelines for assessing androgen deficiency
Assays for plasma total testosterone have been available for over 40 years, and the levels are shown to decrease with age in women, as they do in men. The relatively newer free testosterone assay has been in use for a decade, and whether by equilibrium dialysis or by direct radioimmunoassay, it is felt to be more accurate because it measures the amount of testosterone available for activity in the tissues.
However, very little data are available on normal ranges for these assays. Even the known data, using total testosterone, suffer from the general flaw that none of the women used for the normal ranges were screened for any type of sexual problems, including decreased sexual desire. Until better data exist, a plasma total testosterone level of <25 ng/dL in women under 50 years old, and <20 ng/dL in women aged 50 or older, is indicative of androgen deficiency. For the free testosterone assay by direct radioimmunoassay, the guide is used that in women under the age of 50, a level of <1.5 pg/mL, and in women over the age of 50, a level of <1.0 pg/mL, is indicative of androgen deficiency. If the values are even slightly above the levels mentioned, it should be considered borderline, and a clinical trial of androgen may be in order if the symptoms are suggestive. More accurate and consistent data are available for the measurement of DHEA-S. This hormone also decreases with age. A recent analysis has suggested two age-related curves, one for lean and one for obese women. According to a clinic’s experience, in women under the age of 50 with DHEA-S levels of <150 ng/dL a diagnosis of decreased adrenal DHEA production is appropriate. Similarly, the diagnosis of adrenal DHEA production should be considered in women aged 50 or older whose DHEA-S levels are <100 ng/dL.

There are no clear guidelines for evaluating women who might have androgen deficiency. Only recently has there been acknowledgement of the need for clear guidelines for measuring decreased androgen levels. In reality, women may develop symptoms of androgen deficiency at any age, from their teen years through late adulthood. The chief symptom is often a decrease in sexual interest, which is not often acknowledged. Another common symptom is fatigue, a symptom associated with many clinical conditions and therefore not likely to increase your suspicion of androgen deficiency. Ask female patients about decreased sexual desire and sexual fantasies, as many are reluctant to mention these problems. In many instances physicians have been quick to ascribe sexual problems to anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome, or lack of sleep-especially during the child-rearing years. Peri-menopausal women may complain of decreased sexual desire at the onset of their life cycle changes, attributing it to these changes. This may be the time to test for androgen deficiency. Also, in the postmenopausal woman, test the testosterone levels if decreased sexual desire does not improve after 6 months of estrogen replacement or if she declines such therapy.

Androgen therapy
Once a diagnosis of androgen deficiency has been confirmed, or strongly suspect one by borderline testosterone levels, the question of treatment arises. The available medical literature has discussed different options of androgen treatment in post-menopausal women but little is available on premenopausal. The one agent indicated for use in women is a combination of estrogen and methyltestosterone in the form of Estratest, which has been prescribed in post-menopausal women for several decades in this country. However, it is not universally effective, probably because it is a methylated derivative of testosterone, not the natural hormone. In Europe, testosterone pellets have been implanted under the skin, a treatment option that requires a surgical procedure that predisposes the patient to infection or extrusion of the pellets. It has been found to be generally effective in England and in Australia. This treatment is available in this country for men. Intramuscular injection of testosterone esters has been used in men for decades, and very small doses have been used in women. The level of testosterone increases in the blood for a number of days after the injection, and many women reach levels high enough to cause side effects. A current study of testosterone patches suggests that this may be an effective treatment option within a few years. There are limited data on absorption kinetics and consistency of absorption of testosterone. Because levels of testosterone have to be monitored carefully and none of these products are standardized, they are not widely recommended for use. Although not officially approved for use by women in the United States, various pharmacies can compound testosterone in a cream or 1% gel form, as these have been approved for men.

Recently data has been published using an over-the-counter (OTC) oral DHEA for androgen replacement, with the idea that if the patient precursor hormone is provided, it would allow the body to convert it to testosterone. This product is available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores in the United States. Patients can take it off the shelves (eg, Your Life), as such products do not require a prescription. The dose should begin with a 50-mg dose of OTC oral DHEA each morning, and the patients’ total and free testosterone, as well as other androgen values ahould be monitored every 2 to 3 months to verify absorption of the product. If the free testosterone level is between 1.8 ng/mL and 2.2 ng/mL, this regimen is continued. If the measurement is lower, the dosage may be increased to 75-mg DHEA a day. Androgen values should be checked within several months and, if needed, the dose may be further increased to 100-mg DHEA. DHEA treatment is used in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with low androgen levels. A positive response occurs in many women treated with DHEA . Of all methods of hormone replacement DHEA is preferred although options such as Estratest and testosterone 1% gel are available. DHEA has recently been used to treat women who have adrenal insufficiency, who by definition have markedly decreased DHEA levels. It has been found to improve general energy, well-being and sexuality. DHEA has also been studied in older men and women to aid in muscle strength with variable responses. Used for longer periods of time (ie, 1 year), DHEA has produced some increases on sexual function.

Potential risks and side effects
There is very little clinical research on treating pre-menopausal women. From the small amount of research available, it seems that the androgen levels achieved by treatment, as well as side effects, are the same as those in post-menopausal women. The main untoward effects are acne and facial hair. These occur if the level of testosterone is above normal. However, some sensitive women may have these effects with a level in the normal range. Occasionally fluid retention can occur. If testosterone rises above physiological levels, an abnormal lipid profile may occur. There are no side effects to DHEA itself because there are no receptors in the body for DHEA; all side effects are from the conversion product of DHEA, which is testosterone. Women with a history of breast cancer, severe liver disease, or severe deep vein phlebitis should not take androgens, as a certain amount of testosterone will be converted to estrogen. This treatment is also contraindicated during pregnancy, since testosterones, and even its precursor DHEA, cross the placenta and may cause changes in the genitals of the fetus. Special caution should be used when treating women of childbearing age. When prescribing testosterone treatment to a woman, be sure to prescribe adequate birth control and a warning that the androgen treatment should be stopped immediately if a pregnancy might be even remotely possible, or when considering pregnancy in the near future.

Conclusion
Androgen deficiency is a true medical condition in both pre- and post-menopausal women. The most important recommendation is to listen to the patient and consider androgen deficiency when the symptoms are present, even if they seem non-specific. Making a diagnosis of and subsequently treating androgen deficiency can be tricky because of the scarcity of research on the subject; laboratory determinations do not have very accurate ranges and efforts are being made to try to establish normal ranges at this time. Treatment with androgens has to be monitored carefully because of the possible harmful effects of excessive levels of testosterone. Although it is obvious that more data are necessary to find accurate incidences of androgen deficiency and accurate blood levels of androgens in women of varying ages, it is encouraging that a condition that has long been ignored is now being evaluated and successfully treated.

Low Testosterone in Women: Causes and Treatments

Females can have low testosterone that may affect sexual desire and mood, along with other body processes. It can occur with some health conditions, including adrenal insufficiency.

Testosterone is a hormone known as an androgen. It’s often thought of as a “male” hormone. However, women also have testosterone in their bodies.

Imbalances of either too much or too little testosterone can affect a woman’s overall health. Some of the functions testosterone serves in a woman’s body include:

• producing new blood cells
• enhancing libido
• influencing follicle-stimulating hormones that can affect reproduction.

According to the Department of Health & Human Services in Victoria, Australia; testosterone production in women is often age-dependent. By the time a woman is 40 years old, her levels of androgens have decreased by half.

There’s still a lot that doctors are researching about low testosterone in women and treatments for low testosterone. However, new treatments are being studied that may provide help to women affected by low testosterone levels.

Some of the symptoms associated with low testosterone in women include:

• affected sexual desire
• affected sexual satisfaction
• depressed mood
• lethargy
• muscle weakness

Often, the symptoms of low testosterone in women are underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Some of the conditions that low testosterone may be mistaken for include: stress, depression, and the side effects of menopausal changes in women.

Doctors can use a blood test to test a woman’s testosterone levels. The numbers that determine if a woman’s testosterone levels are high or low can vary by the laboratory performing the test. According to the Boston University School of Medicine in 2002, if a woman’s plasma total testosterone level is less than 25 ng/dL in women under 50 years old, this is low. Testosterone levels lower than 20 ng/dL in women aged 50 and older are considered low.

Doctors may have difficulty detecting low testosterone levels in women because their hormone levels constantly fluctuate on a daily basis. If a woman still has her period, she should ideally take the blood testosterone test about 8 to 20 days after her menstrual period starts.

Women produce testosterone in several locations in their bodies. These include the:

• ovaries
• adrenal glands
• peripheral tissues

Because the ovaries are a major producer of testosterone, the decrease in hormones produced by the ovaries associated with menopause means that some pre- and post-menopausal women may experience low testosterone levels. Traditionally, decreases in libido have been attributed to post-menopausal drops in estrogen. However, researchers are identifying more and more links between decreased testosterone production and affected libido.

In many women, the ovaries continue to produce hormones like testosterone. Therefore, doctors suggest that some women with low testosterone may have something in their genetic makeup that affects their ability to produce the compounds DHEA and DHEA-S, which are the precursors to testosterone. Some women may also be deficient in enzymes that process DHEA and DHEA-S into testosterone.

Other possible causes of low testosterone in women include:

• adrenal insufficiency, where the adrenal glands don’t work as well as they should
• history of oophorectomy, or the surgical removal of the ovaries
• hypopituitarism
• taking oral estrogen therapy, as estrogen can reduce the production of testosterone
• early menopause

Treatments for low testosterone in women haven’t been largely studied by medical experts. While doctors know about the effects of excess testosterone in women, the symptoms of too-little testosterone aren’t as well known. As a result, doctors don’t always have the same regimen for treatments related to low testosterone levels.

Doctors may prescribe a medication called Estratest in post-menopausal women. This medicine has both estrogen as well as testosterone in it. However, the testosterone form is a synthetic one and may not be as effective in treating low testosterone.

Doctors can also administer injections of testosterone and medical researchers are currently studying the effects of testosterone patches and pellets implanted in the skin. Some women may also obtain testosterone gel formulations from compounding pharmacies. However, these gels are traditionally used for men that have much higher average testosterone levels than when compared with women.

An over-the-counter option is taking a DHEA supplement. Because DHEA is a precursor to testosterone, the idea is that if someone takes DHEA, they could increase the amount of testosterone in their body. Speak with your doctor before starting a DHEA supplement as treatment for low testosterone.

Having too much testosterone in your body can also cause side effects. Side effects of excess testosterone use in women include:

• Acne
• Facial hair
• Fluid retention
• Masculine physical characteristics, including male-pattern balding and deepened voice

Women who are or may be pregnant shouldn’t take androgens. Women who are breastfeeding also shouldn’t take testosterone medications as it could pass on to the child.

You should always talk to your doctor before starting any testosterone or related medications and supplements. They’ll be able to provide tests and make sure that there are no interactions with other medications you take.

Testosterone in women: why it rises, falls and what to do with it

Likbez

Health

March 5, 2019

Abnormal hormone levels are easy to recognize even by eye.

Testosterone is considered a purely male hormone. And in vain. The weaker sex needs this androgen (the so-called male hormones) no less than the strong one. But there are nuances.

Why women need testosterone

Many people associate this word with something emotional – masculinity, aggressiveness, pressure. However, all this testosterone machismo is just a side effect, if not a myth. The hormone is full of much more important tasks than turning a man into a macho. And these functions are common to both sexes.

Testosterone plays a key role in dozens of processes within the body. It (in company with other substances, of course) provides strength to bones, is involved in the production of red blood cells, affects the processing of fats, strengthens muscles, affects mood and cognitive capabilities of the brain, enhances or weakens sexual desire at different periods of life … In general, functions are countless, and the female body without testosterone is as unthinkable as the male body.

There is another factor that makes testosterone essential for women. The male hormone is an indispensable precursor of the female sex hormones. That is, estrogens are produced from testosterone. The very ones that in many ways make a woman a woman: they start puberty, make breasts grow, “turn on” menstruation and allow you to become pregnant and bear a fetus.

From this, by the way, a paradoxical fact follows: the less “male” hormone a woman has, the less feminine she is, because she also has a shortage of estrogen. However, an increased amount of testosterone also does not lead to anything good.

How to recognize that a woman’s testosterone levels are not normal

Experienced therapists can even do this by eye. Here are a few indirect, but obvious symptoms, the combination of which suggests that something is wrong with an important hormone.

Signs of high testosterone in women

1. Poor skin condition. She’s too oily, she has a lot of pimples.
2. Hair growth. A woman has a mustache above her upper lip and male-pattern hair on other parts of her body. At the same time, some ladies develop frontal baldness at the same time.
3. Noticeable decrease in the timbre of the voice.
4. Increase in muscle mass.
5. Enlarged clitoris.
6. Obesity. The figure turns into an “apple”: the waist, stomach, chest, shoulders become very fat, while the legs remain slender.
7. Menstrual disorders.

Signs of low testosterone in women

1. Overweight. A lack of a hormone affects the figure in the same way as an excess.
2. Muscle weakness, lethargy. The body looks loose and helpless.
3. Constant fatigue, depressed mood.
4. Reduced libido: a woman does not want sex at all.
5. Problems with memory and purposefulness.

Of course, all these signs are indirect. They only allow you to suspect abnormal testosterone levels. To confirm or refute the assumption, it is necessary to do a blood test for the total level of this hormone.

What should be the norm of testosterone in women

Having passed the analysis, you can compare its results with the standard – norms of testosterone for women of different ages. Hormone levels are measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). If you see other units of measure on the test results sheet, please convert to ng/dl here.

• 12–16 years: <7–75 ng/dL;
• 17-18 years: 20-75 ng/dL;
• 19 years and older: 8-60 ng/dl.

The causes of testosterone surges can be very different, from completely natural to dangerous.

Why testosterone can be low in women

Generally, there are three main reasons:

1. The natural decline of the hormone associated with aging and menopause. With age, the ovaries function less actively, including producing less testosterone.
2. Taking hormonal drugs – the same birth control pills or pills to reduce the side effects of menopause. They contain estrogen, which causes our body to produce less testosterone.
3. Diseases of the ovaries, pituitary or adrenal glands – the main suppliers of androgen to the body.

Why testosterone in women can be increased

Most often answered for an increase in testosterone:

1. Hirsutism. This is the name of a genetic disease that leads to increased production of testosterone. Externally, hirsutism manifests itself as abundant hair growth on the face, chest, arms and legs.
2. Polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a disease of the endocrine system, the side effect of which is the increased production of sex hormones.
3. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. People with this disease lack one of the enzymes that control the production of sex hormones.

What to do if testosterone levels are too high or too low

If your test results show that androgen levels are out of range, be sure to consult your physician.

Hormones are no joke, so any testosterone deviation from the norm should be corrected in close contact with a general practitioner, gynecologist or endocrinologist. Only a specialist will help you not to confuse hormonal imbalance with other diseases that have similar symptoms. In addition, the doctor will establish the most likely cause of the failure, which means that he will select an effective treatment.

In case of serious deviations from the norm, hormonal preparations are usually prescribed. If the imbalance is small, the doctor may recommend changes in lifestyle:

1. Normalize weight. Adipose tissue affects the hormonal background, including the production of testosterone. It is important to consider the following: if in men, excess weight lowers androgen levels, then in women, on the contrary, it increases.
2. Adjust nutrition. Studies show that dietary fat and cholesterol increase testosterone, while a low-fat diet leads to a decrease in the amount of male hormone.
3. Get enough sleep. This is especially important if testosterone levels are below normal: the lion’s share of it is synthesized during sleep.
4. Have sex more often or at least fall in love. Both options increase the amount of testosterone.

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Normal testosterone in women | Increased and decreased testosterone levels – causes, symptoms, what to do?

High and low testosterone levels in women – causes, symptoms and what to do about it?

Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group, belongs to the group of male hormones, is an indispensable precursor of female sex hormones. Estrogens are produced from testosterone, which in many ways make a woman a woman: they start puberty, are responsible for the formation of secondary sexual characteristics, for sexual function – “turn on” menstruation and allow you to get pregnant (playing one of the main roles in the development of the follicle in the ovaries) and bear a fetus, responsible for sexual desire. Also involved in the formation of blood cells, affects muscle mass.

Testosterone in women: where and why is it produced?

The hormonal background of the female body is a very complex system. Despite a fairly small amount of this hormone in a woman, with its decrease or increase, the quality of life and health deteriorates.

In women, the production of the hormone comes from cholesterol in the ovaries, adrenal glands, adipose tissue, brain. Changes in testosterone levels in women can be due to many factors.

The level of the hormone in girls increases shortly before puberty. After the formation of menstrual function, androgens are responsible for the regulation of the cycle, as well as for the formation of bone tissue, the synthesis of lipoproteins, red blood cells, insulin, growth factors, and endorphins. Moreover, testosterone also affects mental processes, sexual behavior and sexual desire.

In women of reproductive age, the concentration of testosterone depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle, reaching a maximum in the second phase. Also, the level of testosterone depends on the time of day: in the morning its concentration is maximum, and in the evening – minimum.

How to determine the level of testosterone?

You can determine the level of testosterone in the body by donating blood for analysis.

Sampling must be done in the morning on an empty stomach, after 8-14 hours of overnight fasting . Drinking water is allowed. On the eve of the study, it is recommended to exclude significant physical and emotional stress and alcohol intake. It is not recommended to smoke. For women, the study is usually carried out on 2-4 days from the onset of menstruation .

The norm of testosterone in the blood of women

The norm of testosterone in the blood of women is 0. 49–1.72 nmol/l.

Indications for testosterone testing are:

• infertility
• adrenal tumors
• ovarian tumors
• obesity
• osteoporosis
• acne, alopecia, hirsutism
• menstrual irregularities
• uterine bleeding
• miscarriage
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• adrenogenital syndrome
• reduction in the size of the mammary glands or uterus
• external genital endometriosis

Increased testosterone levels in women: causes and symptoms

Normally, the level of this hormone rises during pregnancy. Pathological causes include:

• Increased work of the adrenal glands
• Overweight
• Tumors of the ovaries
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Metabolic syndrome (including malnutrition)
• Pituitary tumors
• Taking certain medications

Symptoms of increased testosterone levels in women are quite noticeable, the most common of them are:

Many of these symptoms are not specific and may be seen in other diseases. Therefore, it is impossible to find out their cause without a comprehensive diagnosis.

How to lower testosterone levels?

A variety of treatments are available for elevated testosterone levels. The most important is the use of drugs that have a direct effect on the concentration of this hormone in the body.

Important! The dosage, exact schedule and duration of administration are individually made by an endocrinologist and / or gynecologist, taking into account the woman’s health status.

Testosterone levels can also be reduced by following a special diet.

Fatty foods, alcohol, spicy foods, processed foods, etc. should be excluded from the diet. Moreover, a woman should avoid stress, keep a sleep schedule and have a regular sex life.

In rare cases, when the cause of high testosterone levels is a tumor, doctors resort to surgery.

Low testosterone levels in women: causes and symptoms

Low testosterone concentration in women is the main symptom of aging. The most common causes of low testosterone levels in women:

• Menopause
• Renal disorders
• Use of certain medications
• Lack of useful macro-micronutrients and vitamins in food, rigid diets
• Severe reduction or total lack of physical activity
• Diseases of the reproductive system
• Hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal lesions

Low testosterone levels can signal the presence of diseases such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, osteoporosis, hyperestrogenism, breast cancer, and so on. Also, the influence of systemic diseases, especially such as diabetes mellitus, and genetic abnormalities cannot be excluded.

It is important to keep in mind that a decrease in testosterone levels is usually not as pronounced as an increase in a woman.

Main symptoms low testosterone level:

• Early menopause
• Rapid weight loss
• Rapid development of cardiovascular disease
• Bone lesion
• Development of uterine fibroids
• Feeling constantly tired
• Decreased sex drive
• Bad mood, sleep disturbance
• Dry skin, brittle hair and nails

How to increase testosterone levels?

Treatment for low testosterone levels is similar to treatment for elevated levels.