The role of testosterone in women

Testosterone is often considered a male hormone but is also present in the female body. They are produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat cells. Testosterone is essential for women for hormone production, ensuring bone density, muscle strength and organ health. Women’s bodies convert most of their testosterone into the hormone estradiol. Testosterone levels in women are typically highest in the morning and gradually decrease throughout the day. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland control the levels of this hormone.

Testosterone levels in women usually begin to increase in girls 6-8 years old. When girls have their first period, the ovaries periodically produce testosterone. This means concentrations change throughout the month based on the menstrual cycle. Testosterone levels peak mid-cycle and remain high during the luteal phase (the last phase). After age 30, testosterone levels begin to decline and women lose 60% of their total testosterone during menopause.

Normal testosterone levels in women of reproductive age are 15-46 ng/dL. Testosterone levels are considered low when a blood test is below 15 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Warning symptoms include decreased sexual desire, mood swings, muscle weakness, and fat gain. Concentrations that are too low may be due to adrenal, pituitary, or ovarian disorders.

Testosterone is an androgen hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics. Therefore, women with high testosterone levels often experience the same related physical changes as men. Testosterone levels above 46 ng/dL are high and can cause symptoms such as acne, excessive facial and body hair, hair loss on the top of the head, deep voice, irregular menstruation, and even infertility. .

A common cause of high testosterone levels in women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries to produce too much androgens like testosterone. Causes include adrenal or pituitary disorders and ovarian cancer. In rare cases, benign ovarian tumors can also cause high testosterone levels.

People with low testosterone levels, who experience symptoms such as loss of sexual desire, may be treated with hormone therapy. However, this therapy in women is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One study shows that taking testosterone can improve muscle strength and cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. However, taking testosterone may also increase your risk of heart disease.

To balance high testosterone levels, doctors advise patients to make lifestyle changes such as losing weight if overweight, maintaining physical activity, and eating a diet low in dairy and carbohydrates. If this measure does not improve symptoms, the patient can take medication to reduce testosterone levels as advised by a doctor. Birth control pills work to reduce the amount of testosterone produced in the ovaries, while anti-androgen drugs block the effects of testosterone.