Analysis for testosterone in women - indications and preparation for conducting, decoding and normal indicators. Increased testosterone in women: symptoms and causes

Do you think that testosterone is a purely male hormone, and its amount in female body should be minimal? Let's find out if this opinion is true and what role testosterone plays for women!

Many believe that products that increase testosterone in women lead to a loss of femininity and resemblance to the male half of humanity. Is it so? We will dispel all myths about the "male" hormone itself!

Why Women Need Testosterone

For the female body, testosterone is of great importance. Its level affects the increase in strength and muscle tissue during training, energy levels, mood and libido.

Despite the fact that testosterone, or androgen, is called male hormone, in the female body it is also present, but its amount is scantily small. Normal level testosterone in men is 200-1200 ng/dl, while the norm for women is 15-70 ng/dl. That is why women may not be afraid to become masculine as a result of strength training, for this there is too little testosterone in the female body.

Testosterone in a woman is also needed to maintain muscle and bone mass, in addition, it affects sexual attraction. The effect of testosterone is not yet fully understood, but the effect of the hormone on muscle mass and bone strength has already been studied. Scientists have proven that increasing the level of testosterone in the blood improves the density bone tissue.

It is much more difficult to assess the effect of testosterone on sex drive and quality of life in general. A study by a popular English medical journal assessed sexuality and quality of life in women with low testosterone levels. After increasing the level of the hormone in the blood, their health and sex life improved.

After menopause, testosterone levels drop significantly, but not as dramatically as estrogen levels. Ovariectomized women experience a decrease in testosterone levels by about 50%, resulting in a below-normal testosterone level.

As a rule, with a decrease in testosterone levels (after spaying or during menopause), a woman notices that she has become weaker, less energetic and has a weaker sex drive. If a woman after menopause takes estrogen - with or without progesterone - testosterone production is further suppressed.

For women, a sufficient level of testosterone is important, as it gives a powerful anti-aging effect. It converts fat into muscle, keeps skin supple, increases bone mineral density, improves mood, and improves stress resistance. Testosterone also supports cognitive function and helps preserve the liver and blood vessels clean.

Check Your Testosterone Level

To determine if you are suffering from low testosterone levels, take the test below. If you are experiencing more than seven of the following symptoms, your testosterone levels may be below normal.

  • dry skin
  • thinned skin
  • pain during intercourse
  • fatigue
  • difficult to do any exercise
  • decreased libido
  • loss of motivation or competitive spirit
  • increased belly and arm fat
  • decreased bone density and osteoporosis
  • corticosteroid use

If you suspect that you have low level testosterone, see your doctor to perform necessary analyzes. Low testosterone in women does not pose an immediate health risk, so your doctor may not prescribe for you drug treatment. However, if you are experiencing discomfort due to low testosterone levels, you can look into natural ways and products that increase testosterone.

How to Increase Testosterone Naturally:

Get more zinc

Zinc is important for the production of testosterone in the human body. Zinc prevents testosterone from being converted into estrogen (a female hormone) and also converts estrogen into testosterone. Additionally, you can consume approximately 50-100 mg of zinc per day.

Foods rich in zinc: oysters (a natural aphrodisiac), liver, seafood, poultry, nuts and seeds.

Eat more healthy fats

For the production of testosterone, the body needs healthy fats. Add nuts and seeds to your diet oily fish(salmon, tuna), avocado, olives, vegetable oils, natural peanut butter. However, in the consumption of fatty foods, you should know when to stop. Only 20-30% daily allowance Calories you should get from fat.

Get rid of subcutaneous fat

The higher the percentage of body fat, the higher the level of estrogen, because subcutaneous fat contains the substance aromatase, which converts male testosterone into female estrogen resulting in a significant drop in testosterone levels. However, don't drastically limit your calorie intake, as this can cause your body to go into energy-saving mode, which can stop testosterone production.

Get rid of excess estrogen

Getting rid of excess estrogen, which increases weight and reduces strength, will naturally increase testosterone levels. To do this, include in your more cruciferous vegetables (all varieties of cabbage, turnips, radishes). They contain the substance diindolylmethane (DIM), which helps the body get rid of excess estrogen. Consume more fiber, which will help cleanse the body of toxins, the accumulation of which also leads to excess estrogen.

Try to avoid xenoestrogens

These are man-made estrogens found in pesticides, artificial growth hormones and steroids, air fresheners and plastic dishes. These substances increase the level female hormone estrogen, which leads to a decrease in testosterone. Eat more pesticide-free organic vegetables and fruits, be sure to wash them well before serving. Try to eat meat grown in vivo. Meat and milk on store shelves are often sourced from animals that have been raised using steroids and artificial growth hormones. Choose glassware for food storage. Do not use perfumes and air fresheners that contain parabens.

It is difficult to be 100% xenoestrogens-free, but if you follow the other tips (especially 3 and 4), you will be able to increase testosterone levels naturally. Because the most of xenoestrogens accumulate in adipose tissue, The best way to avoid xenoestrogens is to get rid of subcutaneous fat.

To increase testosterone it is also important:

  • have at least 6-8 hours of sleep at night
  • reduce stress levels
  • get 1000-1500 mg every day
  • get enough vitamins, and
  • do strength training and get enough rest
  • live sexually
  • give up alcohol and grapefruits

Despite the fact that the level of testosterone in a woman is insignificant, a deficiency of this hormone can bring a lot of inconvenience. Monitor the level of hormones in the body, regularly consume foods that increase testosterone. And if you add, it will help you always stay in great shape and good mood!

Most non-medical people tend to think of testosterone as an exclusively male hormone. At the same time, few people seriously think about the fact that this is biologically active substance it is also necessary for the normal functioning of the female body, although its content in the blood of the fair sex is not so high.

How much testosterone is normally found in the blood of women? What can affect the change in indicators and when should you see a doctor?

What is testosterone responsible for in the female body?

Testosterone is a hormone produced by two organs in the female body. The main part of the substance released into the blood falls on the ovaries, which are under the control of the pituitary gland and synthesize testosterone in accordance with this effect. In a smaller volume, the hormone is synthesized by the adrenal glands.

Despite the fact that testosterone is considered to be a male hormone, in the female body it also performs a number of important functions. These include:

  • development control muscular system and building muscle mass;
  • control over the amount of fat deposits in the body;
  • maintaining a normal libido in the female body (with an excess of testosterone, a woman will experience hypersexuality, and with a deficiency, asexuality will develop);
  • regulation of normal operation sebaceous glands;
  • participation in the processes of growth and development of the mammary glands.

Like other sex hormones, testosterone is also able to influence the behavior of a woman, her mental health. An excess of this substance in the blood, for example, can lead to increased aggressiveness, inappropriate behavior and lack of control over their actions.

Testosterone also takes an active part in the exchange of certain elements. Under its influence, in combination with estradiol, normal bone density, that is, the processes of calcium absorption are normally going on, preventing the development of osteoporosis. Also, the hormone is involved in the female body in the regulation of the metabolism of proteins, lipids, phosphorus, nitrogen. Testosterone also has a partial effect on increasing stress resistance and normalizing blood glucose levels.

The norm of testosterone in women by age

The female hormonal background is a somewhat more complex system than the hormonal background of a man. This is explained by constant changes in the level of sex hormones, the fluctuations of which within one month can be very pronounced. During pregnancy, a woman generally experiences such a strong hormonal shake-up, which is very difficult to withstand.

A variety of factors affect the level of testosterone in the female body, ranging from age to the process of pregnancy. To help determine the presence or absence of abnormalities, doctors evaluate testosterone in two main states: free and total.

Free testosterone is an indicator of the amount of a hormone that is active, is not bound to protein compounds and is able to actively exercise its functions. Free testosterone is measured in pg/ml and varies with age. A special table helps to navigate the changes.

The level of total testosterone shows how much of the hormone is contained in the body, regardless of whether it is bound to protein compounds or is in a free state. This indicator for all women, regardless of age, should be within the reference values ​​​​from 0.26 to 1.3 ng / ml.

When assessing testosterone levels, it is recommended to pay attention to the standards of the laboratory where the analysis is carried out. This is necessary because the reference values ​​may differ significantly from institution to institution depending on the reagents used.

If after passing the analysis in one of the laboratories there are doubts about the reliability of the result, then it is recommended to undergo a second study in any other institution.

What will level up?

Testosterone is a hormone whose abnormal levels rarely go unnoticed. In most cases external signs are able to indicate to a woman that something is wrong with her body, and she needs a consultation with a specialist.

The following changes in appearance may indicate the presence of any deviations of testosterone from the norm:

  • on the body of a woman, hair growth is activated, hairline begins to appear even where it never was ( upper lip and other areas of the face, chest), thicken, turn black and actively grow hair on the legs and arms;
  • after washing, the condition of the hair on the head changes quickly, they easily get dirty, become greasy and unpleasant to the touch in a short time;
  • the skin all over the body becomes very dry, very flaky and easily cracked even from the most insignificant adverse effects;
  • the voice becomes rougher, more and more reminiscent of the voice of a man in timbre and intonation;
  • a woman quickly gains weight, the body loses the outline of a feminine figure and noticeable changes occur in the direction of masculinity, muscle mass is easily gained, which was not the case before;
  • there is an excessive craving for physical and sexual activity, which was not previously noted;
  • behavior changes, it becomes more rude and aggressive for no apparent reason.

If a woman notes the appearance of such changes in herself, she is advised to consult a doctor.

What will indicate a decrease in the level?

Contrary to popular belief, a lack of testosterone in the female body is just as bad as its excess. Nevertheless, although this hormone is considered male, it affects many vital processes in the body of the fair sex.

Signs of low testosterone levels include:

  • a decrease in the amount of hair throughout the body in comparison with the previous presence of vegetation;
  • reduction in muscle mass without visible reasons feeling of constant fatigue;
  • an increase in the amount of fat under the skin, the rapid formation of a fatty layer and unsuccessful attempts to get rid of it;
  • dryness skin;
  • decreased libido, almost complete absence sexual attraction;
  • fast swings mood, depression, often turning into depression.

It is important to remember that the symptoms of low testosterone levels are often ignored by many women because they are not specific. One of the main signs of a problem that actually makes you see a doctor is the appearance discomfort during intercourse. The discomfort is explained by the fact that testosterone is involved in the formation of vaginal secretion, which acts as a lubricant. If testosterone is not enough, then the secret is not produced in the right quantities and sexual intercourse ceases to bring pleasure to a woman, which makes her see a doctor.

Rules for passing the analysis

Testosterone is a hormone, the determination of the level of which does not take a large number of time. In most cases, the woman receives the results in her hands after a day.

So that the results are not in doubt, before passing the analysis, the fair sex should observe a number of simple rules. First of all, it should be borne in mind that the best days for passing the analysis are the intervals from 3 to 5 and from 8 to 10 days menstrual cycle. Of course, it is possible to carry out the analysis on other days, but then its reliability will raise fair doubts.

Immediately 24 hours before the analysis, a woman is advised to give up physical activity, interrupt training, and not perform sexual contact. If possible, it is also recommended to protect yourself from stress. Do not smoke or drink alcohol before the test.

It is important to consult your doctor regarding medicines, which a woman regularly takes due to any chronic pathology. Special attention give anticonvulsants, anabolic steroids and valproic acid, which can affect testosterone levels. After consulting with your doctor a few days before the test, you may need to take a break from taking these medications.

Testosterone is an important hormone not only for men, but also for women. In a woman, the condition also depends on this hormone. reproductive system, the ability to bear and give birth healthy babies. If signs appear that indicate any violations of testosterone production, it is recommended to consult a doctor and start treatment.

Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Its functions include increasing physical endurance and sexual activity of male representatives. However, it happens that testosterone is excessively elevated in a woman, while a man suffers from a lack of it. In this case, when a woman has an increased level of testosterone, it is highly likely that she has health problems. And therefore, at the first signs, she needs to contact a gynecologist to find out the reason why there was a failure in her hormonal background. Any delay in this matter can have an extremely negative impact on the reproductive system of the lady. What is the cause of high testosterone in women? Let's figure it out in this article.

What are the functions of testosterone in the female body?

This hormone is normally produced not only in the male body, but also in the female body. Undoubtedly, in men, its level is much higher than in the representatives of the fair half. In the female body, the testosterone content is insignificant, but it is responsible for the implementation following functions: functional activity bone marrow, figure formation female type, normal functioning of the reproductive system, growth of muscle mass, growth skeletal system in physical formation, regulation of libido.

In some cases, the cause of increased testosterone lies in malnutrition. Namely, in use. alcoholic beverages, white cabbage, nuts that increase the production of this hormone in the body. These are the main reasons advanced level testosterone in women. But there are others.

Increasing testosterone during pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, her testosterone levels rise significantly, and this is the only period when such an increase is relatively safe for her. During the entire period of pregnancy, it is possible to double or even triple the level of the hormone progesterone, which is associated with additional synthesis of its placenta. In the case of a boy pregnancy, the woman will have higher testosterone levels than in the case of a girl pregnancy.

However increased amount hormone is safe only in the second trimester of pregnancy. In the first, this will be a deviation from the norm and can lead to a missed pregnancy.

Analysis to determine the level of testosterone

If a woman has elevated testosterone, the causes and symptoms may be different, she needs to pass an appropriate test to determine its level. You just need to find a laboratory that accepts tests and donate blood from a vein to conduct necessary research. Such an analysis usually costs approximately 200-1000 rubles, and a woman can find out its results in a day. To eliminate errors, you need to pay attention to the rules for passing this analysis. First of all, it is produced from 3 to 5 and from 8 to 10 days of the menstrual cycle. The second point is to stop any physical activity and sports training, as well as avoiding worries and stress a day before the study. Well, the third point is the need for rest and smoking cessation 1-2 hours before the analysis.

Following these simple rules, a woman will be able to count on receiving the highest quality biological material for the analysis, as well as the most correct and accurate results.

When demonstrating serious deviations from the relevant norm and too strong rise hormone levels in the patient's body, you should immediately contact a specialist.

How to treat elevated hormone levels?

With an increased level of the testosterone hormone, therapy is usually carried out using the following drugs: Dexamethasone, Digostin, Cyproterone, Diethylstilbestrol.

In addition, glucose drugs are successfully used to reduce the level of this hormone: Veroshpiron, Glucophage, Siofor. Into data composition medicines includes metamorphine and spironolactone, which qualitatively suppress the synthesis of excess testosterone.

In addition, it is possible for a doctor to prescribe oral contraceptives, such as "Yarina", "Zhanin", "Diana 35".

You should not self-medicate, because the female hormonal system is extremely sensitive for intervention in it without a doctor's prescription, and there is also a high risk of adverse conditions. At the end of the course of therapy, further monitoring of the level of the testosterone hormone will be required, since the possibility of its repeated increase is not excluded.

What should be the diet if total testosterone is increased in women?

The reasons must be clarified. However, in case of a slight increase, you can use the help of a special diet. There are a number of products that short term lower the level of this hormone. Such natural helpers include: honey, fried vegetable and meat dishes, cherries, vegetable oil, apples, wheat, rice, salt, sugar, caffeine, potatoes, full fat milk and cream, soy products.

Effects

The possibility of changes in the body is determined depending on how much the level of the hormone has been increased. With a slight increase, a woman’s mood will only change, that is, attacks of irritability may appear, an increase physical activity, she may begin to grow on the body extra hair where they should not be - on the arms, legs, above the lip.

If the increase in testosterone is significant, then more serious consequences are possible: the development diabetes, change in body weight, as well as negative changes may be subject to the reproductive and reproductive systems.

With an increase in a woman's total or free testosterone, this will be reflected in every area of ​​life, in her physical condition and appearance including. Then it is possible to develop various problems with health. Therefore, every woman needs to remember that she should consult a specialist and undergo the right treatment when the first signs of an increase in testosterone levels occur.

We looked at the causes and consequences of increased testosterone in women.

The hormone testosterone is considered exclusively a male hormone, which is not true. Testosterone is present in both male and female bodies, but in smaller amounts. Women need it as much as men, because it is responsible for normal work ovaries and enough in the body, it gives the muscles elasticity and attractiveness. When its deficiency is felt, the muscles can be sluggish and weak.

Testosterone is a special sex hormone responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, puberty and normal functioning of the body in the genital area.

Testosterone contributes to the development of muscles, is responsible for sexual desire, spermatogenesis and erection in men. Thanks to him, men have a rough voice, hair on the body and face, and development in physical plane higher in men than in women.

In the female body, testosterone is responsible for reproductive function. During the maturation of the egg, thanks to testosterone, the sexual desire in women increases. Normal quantity testosterone in women in the normal state of 0.45 - 3.75 nmol / l. During pregnancy and ovulation, this indicator can vary from 0.24 to 2.7 nmol / l.

There are three types of testosterone in the human body:

  • Free testosterone that is not bound to protein in the human body
  • Testosterone associated with globulin and responsible for the sexual functions of the body
  • Loosely bound testosterone

Free and loosely bound testosterones are considered biologically active hormones. With changes in the indicators of the second and third hormone, a test for free testosterone is performed. It is more accurate and less subject to changes in the body.

Where is the hormone produced?

The ovaries and adrenal glands are responsible for the production of the hormone testosterone, so a tumor in one of these organs can lead to an imbalance of the hormone in the body.

The ovaries contain exclusively sex hormones. In addition to testosterone, they also produce the hormones progesterone and estrogen. They are responsible for efficient work testosterone. Testosterone is not associated with protein (free testosterone) is produced in the adrenal glands. Correct exchange depends on them. nutrients in our body.

Incorrect work of testosterone, namely its decrease can affect intimate life. The more testosterone in the body, the more sexual activity.

The norm of testosterone on different days of the cycle

As mentioned earlier, the testosterone hormone changes on different days of the cycle. The average testosterone is - from 0.29 to 3.18 ng / ml. During the menstrual cycle from 1 to 7 days ( follicular phase) - from 0.45 to 3.17 ng / ml. During ovulation, the testosterone norm in numbers looks like this - from 0.46 to 2.48 ng / ml, the period after menstruation - from 0.29 to 1.73 ng / ml. If you have any concerns about your health, without delay, you should check your testosterone levels.

Changing the norm in women

As mentioned earlier, the rate of testosterone in the body changes in two cases: during ovulation and pregnancy. During ovulation, there is a sharp release of testosterone in the female body. This process enhances sexual desire in women. At this time, the maturation of the egg occurs, thus, the body makes it clear that it is ready for conception.

During pregnancy, the amount of testosterone also changes. There is an increase in testosterone levels, up to a certain level. This is due to the fact that more energy is spent in the womb than usual to prepare the egg for conception, development and maturation of the fetus. An active increase in the hormone during pregnancy can be dangerous both for the development of the fetus and for the health of the expectant mother.

In addition to natural changes in the rate of testosterone, its changes may be due to incorrect operation organism. ovarian disease, bad job adrenal glands and endocrine system disorders provoke an excessive increase or decrease in testosterone.

An excess of testosterone suggests that it's time to check your endocrine system. You can notice the failure of the body by a number of signs:

  • Failure of the menstrual cycle (absence or frequent periods two or three times a month);
  • Unreasonable aggression, apathy, depressive states and melancholy;
  • Voice change, rough male notes appear;
  • Increase in hairline;
  • Breast reduction, male body reshaping;
  • Negative changes on the skin of the face (the appearance of acne and blackheads);
  • Infertility

The other extreme is the lack of testosterone in the female body. This creates apathy constant fatigue and loss of strength, the structure of the skin and hair changes. A decrease in testosterone can lead to infertility in women.

In the first and second cases, you should immediately consult a doctor and get tested for the level of testosterone hormone in the blood. For this, analyzes are total testosterone and free.

Reasons for level change

There may be several reasons for deviations from the norm. This is primarily due to physiological processes. Several factors influence this:

  • Heredity and genes;
  • chronic diseases;
  • Wrong lifestyle and unbalanced diet;
  • Taking contraceptive and hormonal drugs;
  • ovarian tumor

Psychology modern society It can also cause an overabundance of testosterone. Pursuing purely male species work and sports, refusing to bear children and procreate, a woman dooms herself to irreversible changes in physical terms. Hormones are closely related to mental state human, so they will react accordingly.

How to keep testosterone normal

If the desire to remain a beautiful, desirable and real woman is strong, you should follow some recommendations. First of all, start with right image life. Moderate physical exercise if previously they were in excessive quantities. Huge physical activity greatly increases the hormone testosterone, as a result of which your figure will resemble a man's shape in outline.

Don't give up on the joys of motherhood. Having children keeps your hormone levels in balance. Be careful when using birth control and hormonal drugs. Before use, it is better to consult a doctor to avoid hormonal failure in the body.

If you still have problems with testosterone levels in the blood, you should contact the diagnostic center and get tested. Based on these tests, the doctor will prescribe treatment for you. When testosterone is elevated, it is usually prescribed contraceptives containing estrogen. Estrogen is a female sex hormone responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, regulates the menstrual cycle, is responsible for the formation of the uterus and egg.

If a tumor is found in the body, the disease is treated and treated first. There are also folk methods to normalize the testosterone hormone. However, you should not get carried away with this, because out of ignorance you can harm your body even worse.

You need to be careful about your health. To fight with hormonal failure it can be extremely difficult, in a neglected case it is almost impossible. Don't neglect simple rules in order to protect your health. healthy eating, moderate sports, presence of children and absence chronic diseases will help keep hormone levels in the proper order. Promiscuous sex also does not contribute to a healthy hormonal background organism.

In the human body, the formation, development and functioning of the reproductive system is determined by a special class of substances - sex steroids. These hormones are produced in the gonads (testes in men, ovaries in women). A small amount of sex steroids is also secreted by the adrenal cortex.

Estrogens and progestogens are responsible for the presence of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, sexual desire, and fertility in women, and androgens in men. All these hormones are present in the blood of every person in some quantity. Sex differences are observed at the level of the ratio between estrogens and androgens.

Normally, in women, only the minimum level of androgens is determined in the blood.

Androgens in healthy women

Androgens in the female body are produced under the action of tropic hormones of the pituitary gland. In this central gland internal secretion 2 main factors acting in this direction are synthesized - luteinizing and adrenocorticotropic hormones (LH and ACTH).

At healthy woman reproductive age androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) and prohormones (androstenedione, dihydroepiandrosterone / DHEA /, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate / DHEA-S /) are determined in the blood. Prohormones have their muscularizing effect only after activation, that is, after conversion into testosterone.

Almost 100% of DHEA enters the blood from the cells of the adrenal reticular layer. A slight secretion of this hormone is also observed in ovarian theca cells.

Active testosterone in women is produced:

  • in the ovaries (25%);
  • in the adrenal glands (25%);
  • in adipose tissue (50%).

Adipose tissue cells do not synthesize androgens. But it is in the subcutaneous fat that the conversion of prohormones into testosterone occurs. With obesity or underweight, this process can be disrupted. Moreover, the balance sometimes shifts towards a lack of hormones, and sometimes towards hyperandrogenism.

In a woman of reproductive age, about 300 mcg of testosterone is produced in the body every day. This number can be considered insignificant compared to men. In the representatives of the stronger sex, on average, testosterone is produced daily 20 times more.

With age, androgen production in women decreases. Unlike estrogen, this decrease is not dramatic. Hormone production drops by several percent every year after the age of 30. At the age of 45, women have only half the concentration of androgens in their blood compared to twenty-year-olds.

Androgens in women normally play several roles. These hormones can be converted into estrogens (in the ovaries and adipose tissue). Testosterone itself has an effect on the nervous and reproductive system, muscle tissue, psychological sphere, metabolism in women.

The action of androgens:

  • enhance the growth of skeletal muscles;
  • contribute to the mineralization of bone tissue;
  • reduce the risk of anemia;
  • activate the nervous system;
  • improve logical thinking;
  • increase libido;
  • eliminate depression.

Women with low levels of male sex steroids are more likely to be dissatisfied with their well-being, have personality problems and get little pleasure in sexual life. In postmenopausal women, these patients are at higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures, anemia, and severe depression.

Androgen imbalance


Excessive production of testosterone and its precursors leads to the appearance of male characteristics in women. If a increased concentration androgen levels are observed during prenatal development, then the girl is born with abnormally developed external genitalia. Such a newborn has an enlarged clitoris, and the large labia are fused. Externally, the genital organs resemble the male in structure. Sometimes an examination is required to clarify the sex of the child.

In girls, excess testosterone can cause early maturation in a heterogeneous pattern. These children enter puberty early. They have signs of the opposite sex (a characteristic physique, excessive hair growth on the face and body, a decrease in the timbre of the voice).

In adult women, hyperandrogenism provokes:

  • redistribution of adipose tissue;
  • hypotrophy of the mammary glands;
  • hirsutism (hair growth in androgen-dependent zones);
  • baldness;
  • acne;
  • seborrhea;
  • violation of the menstrual cycle;
  • infertility;
  • miscarriage;
  • dyslipidemia.

Quite often, the manifestations of elevated testosterone levels are subtle. Women consider excess hair growth and problematic skin just a cosmetic issue.

If a girl has a low level of androgens before puberty, then her physical development may be somewhat delayed. Such children grow slowly, have insufficient weight and muscle strength.

Lack of testosterone in women of reproductive age leads to:

  • decrease in sexual desire;
  • deterioration in the quality of life;
  • decrease in muscle mass;
  • chronic fatigue.

In postmenopausal women, these patients are at higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures, anemia, and severe depression.

The main causes of hyperandrogenism (increased)

Tumor processes can lead to an excess of testosterone in the female body, congenital anomalies, fermentopathy, obesity.

The main reasons for the increase in hormone levels:

  • congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
  • polycystic ovary syndrome;
  • adrenal adenomas (androsteroma);
  • tumors of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, adrenal glands, ovaries;
  • increase in LH;
  • Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
  • hypothyroidism;
  • obesity.

With congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex in a woman, the synthesis of steroids is impaired. The body is experiencing a clear lack of vital glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol). Because of this, ACTH synthesis is activated in the pituitary gland. This tropic hormone increases the synthesis of testosterone and its precursors in the cortex.

Polycystic ovary syndrome occurs due to congenital insulin resistance. Most often, this pathology manifests itself in overweight women, hypertension, high cholesterol, impaired glucose tolerance. Excess testosterone in this case is produced in the ovaries.

Malignant and benign tumors endocrine tissues are sometimes the cause of hyperandrogenism. Neoplasms can be localized in the adrenal glands, ovaries, hypothalamic-pituitary region.

LH imbalance leads to an increase in testosterone levels in the second phase of the menstrual cycle (after ovulation).

Itsenko-Cushing's disease is characterized by stable hypersecretion of ACTH and glucocorticosteroids. In patients, there is a redistribution of fatty tissue, striae, hypertension, steroid diabetes. Excess testosterone in this case appears due to excessive activity of the reticular zone of the adrenal cortex.

With hypothyroidism, total testosterone in women often remains normal, but its concentration increases biologically. active form. This is due to a decrease in the production of a special carrier protein (sex-binding globulin) in the liver.

Causes of hypoandrogenism (lowered)

Testosterone deficiency in women can for a long time remain undiagnosed. Reduced levels of testosterone and its precursors are found in:

  • ovarian pathology (ovarian exhaustion, etc.);
  • heavy chronic diseases(heart failure, kidney failure etc.);
  • endocrinopathies (panhypopituatrism, secondary hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency, etc.);
  • treatment with certain drugs.

Diagnosis and treatment


Diagnosis of testosterone levels in women is carried out by endocrinologists and gynecologists.

The survey includes:

  • collection of information about complaints, heredity, etc.;
  • general inspection;
  • gynecological examination;
  • blood and urine tests for testosterone and its metabolites;
  • study of the level of other hormones: gonadotropins, ACTH, thyrotropin, cortisol, estrogen;
  • Ultrasound of the small pelvis;
  • Ultrasound of the adrenal glands.

It is known that the most accurate analysis for the detection of hyperandrogenism is the study of free testosterone. This indicator shows the concentration of the active hormone, and not its bound form.