Testosterone is an androgenic hormone. He is considered the main male hormone, which is responsible for sexual signs and even behavioral reactions. In the female body, there is also testosterone, only in a much lower concentration. The cause of increased testosterone in women - a failure in the formation of this hormone. All this can lead to changes in appearance and various diseases.
Functions of the male hormone
Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by Leydig cells in men, in women - by ovaries, fat cells, and adrenal glands - in all people.
In the female body, it regulates the function of the sebaceous glands, the formation of bones and the activity of the bone marrow, as well as sexual desire, mood and, most importantly, the growth and development of follicles.
In women, testosterone plays a key role in puberty: under its influence, hair growth occurs in the pubic and axillary areas. In addition, this hormone regulates the functions of many organs, including the reproductive tract, bone tissue, kidneys, liver and muscles. Adult women need androgens for the synthesis of estrogens, and it has been proven that they prevent loss of bone mass and are responsible for sexual desire and satisfaction.
Without this hormone, the functioning of all systems and organs is impossible. But it is much more dangerous for women to deviate from the norm( low or high testosterone levels), which can be caused by exposure to many adverse factors or various diseases.
Reasons for
Ovarian tumors and polycystic ovary syndrome( PCOS) can cause increased production of androgens.
The main cause of increased testosterone in women is the abnormal work of the adrenals and gonads. In addition to PCOS, another cause of increased testosterone in women( called hyperandrogenia) is the hereditary overgrowth of the adrenal cortex and other dysfunctions of these glands. Medications, such as anabolic steroids, which are sometimes abused by bodybuilders and other athletes to increase productivity, can also be the cause of symptoms of hyperandrogenism.
With a sharp weight loss, malnutrition and significant physical exertion, there is also a failure in the hormone production system. We can not say about the hereditary predisposition, the effect of certain hormonal drugs, hypothyroidism. Ovulation is also a cause of increased testosterone in women.
How testosterone affects the female body
Excessive amounts of androgens can be a problem, resulting in such symptoms of masculinization as acne, hirsutism( excess hair growth in unsuitable places such as the chin or upper lip, chest), thinning of hair on the head(alopecia), seborrhea.
It's interesting to note: such violations are possible not only in adults, but also in young girls. Because of this, parents should pay special attention to the development of their daughter, and in the event that there is even the smallest doubt, immediately you need to turn to the endocrinologist. If you miss this moment and do not take action, then the figure can find masculine features, and subsequently it will be impossible to change anything.
About 10 percent of women with high testosterone have PCOS, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, lack of menstruation, infertility, impaired blood sugar( prediabetes and type 2 diabetes), and in some cases, excessive hair. Most women with this disease are overweight and even obese.
Increased testosterone levels, regardless of whether a woman has polycystic ovary syndrome or not, is associated with serious health consequences, such as insulin resistance, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Dangerous complications of
With a sharp increase in testosterone content in the female body, processes that can lead to ovarian dysfunction, malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, lack of ovulation, infertility begin.
During pregnancy there is a risk of severe course, intrauterine fetal death and frequent complications during labor. In addition, the likelihood of the formation of various tumors on the ovaries increases dramatically.
Researchers have provided evidence that the increase in testosterone affects habits and character. Such representatives of the weaker sex have an increased craving for rivalry, domination, gambling and alcohol consumption. But it is necessary to recognize that high testosterone always leads to a change in appearance, and the internal state is not transformed in all cases. It depends on psychological causes, genetics and upbringing.
One of the potential complications of high testosterone levels in women is manifested in the form of depressions and increased aggression. This is not unique to women, but also to girls in the pre-pubertal period.
Testosterone in pregnancy
In pregnancy, testosterone is increasing rapidly enough. During this period, the placenta produces an additional portion of the hormone in question, and this is the norm. But it must be acknowledged that miscarriages or fetal deaths are possible at 4-8 weeks and 13 to 20 weeks if testosterone is elevated in the blood. In women, the treatment of hyperandrogenism, if it is detected in time, will help the normal bearing of the fetus.
Many gynecologists, reinsuring, are carrying out hormone therapy aimed at lowering the level of testosterone in the blood, because during pregnancy it increases 3-4 times. This is not always justified, since the placenta has an important ability to convert testosterone to estrogen, protecting the mother and child from hormones. It is interesting to note that hyperandrogenism in pregnant women is rare, but nevertheless one should be especially attentive to one's body and new sensations.
Study of
By taking blood from a vein on an empty stomach, a test for testosterone is performed. Day of the cycle does not play a role, but it is recommended to conduct the analysis not during the periods. Preliminary preparation consists in refusal of alcohol, smoking, sex, heavy physical work and taking some medications. You should know that alcoholism and some liver diseases can underestimate testosterone levels. Drugs, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, clomiphene, androgens and anabolic steroids can also lower testosterone levels. All the drugs that you are taking must be informed by the doctor who is conducting the study.
Treatment of
How to lower testosterone? This is a fairly simple, but not necessarily an easy way for most women: all you need to do is eat less sugar and refined carbohydrates. The reason is that the excess of these elements causes an increase in the level of sugar in the blood, which in turn causes an increase in insulin, which stimulates the ovaries to produce male hormones. Additional moderate exercise will help even more. Artificial sweeteners do not work, because they stimulate the production of insulin.
You need to eat tofu - bean curd. It is very rich in phytoestrogens, which maintain the hormonal balance in the blood.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, vegetable oils are the necessary nutrients that will help in deciding how to lower testosterone. Well, daily drinking of green tea with mint addition helps.
If testosterone is increased in women, treatment with medicinal products consists in the appointment of hormonal means: "Diane-35", "Metipred" and "Dexamethasone", "Yarina".The medication is prescribed by the doctor after finding out the main cause of the onset of hyperandrogenia.