Despite the fact that Testosterone is a male sex hormone, it is synthesized in the body of both men and women. Actually, Testosterone is as important for women’s health as other hormones.
For adult women, a normal level of Testosterone is important for the development of the follicle in ovaries. In adolescence, Testosterone levels influence on the development of mammary glands.
Testosterone levels change in the body throughout our lives. In overwhelming majority of women, Testosterone remains within normal limits. However, some diseases and pathological states can greatly increase the concentration of Testosterone in the female body.
High Testosterone in women indicates tumors of ovaries or endometrium, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, adrenal hyperplasia (Cushing’s syndrome), polycystic ovarian syndrome or hirsutism. In addition, Testosterone levels can increase due to a regular use of glucocorticoid drugs.
Symptoms of each disease, listed above can sign that Testosterone levels are gradually increasing. In severe diseases, you can hardly reduce Testosterone levels quickly. The thing is that Testosterone levels remain high until the cause of hyperandrogenism is eliminated.
To diagnose high Testosterone in women, medical examination and laboratory tests are needed. Doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis to a woman on the first examination.
The most common symptoms of high Testosterone in women are signs of masculinization, such as:
- Irreversible deepening of the voice
- Irreversible facial hairiness
- Abnormal loss of hair on the head
- Severe acne and loss of skin elasticity
- Irregular menstruation
- Clitoris enlargement
Such symptoms as high Testosterone in women are observed in those, who use androgen hormones for treatment of aplastic anemia, inoperable mammary carcinoma, postmenopausal osteoporosis and other serious diseases.
Besides, the signs of high Testosterone are observed in female athletes, using androgen hormones other than it is intended. Synthetic analogues of Testosterone and androgen hormones, increasing Testosterone levels, can enhance physical strength and stamina.
Almost every female athlete and bodybuilder is aware of Testosterone effects and that this androgen can give you extra advantages over your opponents. Still, few female athletes know about potential risks high Testosterone poses for their health.
The greatest danger of high testosterone in women lies in that it causes irreversible side effects. A long-term impact of high Testosterone on the female body causes some changes that can provoke severe disorders and pathological conditions.
When synthetic Testosterone analogs are used as intended, the benefits of high Testosterone for women’s health exceed the potential risks.
However, if women use Testosterone for purposes other than intended, to stimulate the muscle growth and to increase physical stamina, they put their health at unreasonable risk.
High Testosterone is good for women only when it is impossible to improve and maintain health without increasing Testosterone levels. Considering all risks high Testosterone poses for the female body, women should take an androgen replacement therapy under the supervision of a physician.
It should be noted that androgen hormones inhibit the production of Testosterone in the female body. Therefore, once the goal of androgen therapy has been achieved and Testosterone level is high, the therapy with androgen hormones should be terminated gradually.
Please note that an abrupt termination of hormones can suddenly reduce Testosterone levels. Thus, to restore normal levels of Testosterone, women will have to start androgen therapy over again.
Young, mature and elderly women must understand that high Testosterone is a pathology only if hormonal imbalance causes negative effects.
If high Testosterone in women is not a risk factor and does not cause any adverse reactions or diseases, then women do not have to do anything to reduce its levels.
When the doctor prescribes a woman some drugs to increase her Testosterone, he must warn her about potential side effects of androgen therapy.
If during androgen therapy high Testosterone causes severe side effects and discomfort in women, then the dose reduction of Testosterone-containing drugs or cancellation of androgen therapy might be required.
To control Testosterone levels during androgen therapy, regular blood tests are needed. These tests will help to diagnose high Testosterone in women timely, and if you need, to change the dose regimen of drugs used.