There are a lot of women who experience some troubling symptoms when they are suffering from high testosterone. The word testosterone has always been associated with men mainly because this is what causes their deep voices, their sexual energy, and their large muscles. When women are showing signs of high testosterone, they will not feel good at all.
A lot of women are not aware that testosterone can also be found in women but in just minimal levels as compared to men. This hormone can play a huge factor on people. Some boys who have too much testosterone at an early age can reach adolescence faster. Those who do not have much of it may take a longer amount of time before they start puberty. Men usually have less of it the moment that they reach 50. Men search for testosterone boosters when they get to a certain age so that they will continue to feel young.
For women, having high testosterone can be troubling. Here are some signs of high testosterone:
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Women normally get their menstrual cycles every month. This can be extremely uncomfortable for some women but there are also some who go through their menstrual cycles with ease. When a woman has high testosterone, this may hinder the body from getting regular menstrual cycles. Women who do not get regular periods should be checked by the doctor.
- Low Libido
Men who do not have enough testosterone in their systems usually suffer from low libido and lack of sexual drive. But for women, it is different. They do not have libido when they are high in testosterone. What women should do is to consult with the doctor in order to find a solution wherein the primary sex hormones will become balanced.
- Excess Body Hair
Some women are naturally more hairy than others. This is part of their genes; but there are also some women who suddenly realize that their body hair is growing much thicker than usual. This is one of the signs of high testosterone that should be addressed soon. In men, low testosterone will result to the balding of some men.
- Acne
This is another sign that a woman may be suffering from high levels of testosterone. Women usually report having acne during the ovulation cycle or when they have their period. If the acne is caused by hormones, it will go away once the hormones become regular again.
Other signs of high testosterone to watch out for are the following:
- Increased muscle mass
- Oily skin
- Difference in voice
- Enlarged clitoris
- Decreased breast size
Reasons for Elevated Testosterone
The elevation of testosterone levels in women does not happen out of the blue. There are various reasons for it that should be discussed.
- Thyroid Disorders
When a woman suffers from thyroid problems, the sex hormone binding globulin or SHBG becomes affected. This means that the hormone balance is disrupted. It can be a real problem – so this should be addressed soon.
- Stress
There are a lot of men and women who are normally stressed every day because of the things that they have to do. Most people are stressed with work but there are also some who become extremely stressed because of their personal lives. When women are stressed, the level of estrogen and progesterone are greatly reduced. This can increase the levels of testosterone in the body to levels that are already unhealthy for the average woman.
- Not Eating After Workouts
Some women may think that in order to lose weight more, they should not eat after they have worked out. Actually, this can do more harm than good for the body. There are different hormones of the body that are increased after workout including cortisol, which is considered to be the stress hormone. Once again, stress can cause the body to experience some negative effects. If women fast after exercising regularly, this may become a chronic problem in the long run.
There are also some women who develop high levels of testosterone because of PCOS which stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is a condition wherein women have multiple cysts on their ovaries. This may be determined by undergoing an ultrasound and checking the current condition of the ovaries.
There are still other signs of high testosterone in women but aside from the signs, women should be aware of the causes so that they can be addressed soon. The earlier that the cause of high testosterone is determined, the easier it will be to regulate the testosterone levels of the body.