13 Symptoms of High Testosterone in Women
Testosterone is an androgen hormone produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Androgen hormones are identified as hormones we typically associate with males, though females produce them too but just in smaller amounts. Just like the other female reproductive hormones, testosterone aids in the menstrual cycle, bone health, libido, and breast development. Of course, these are all functions of testosterone when it is at optimal production. As females, we do not want our testosterone to become too elevated. This is a common symptom in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. Let's discuss some symptoms of high testosterone, so you can understand some of the issues you might be struggling with.
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Testosterone is a hormone we often link with men, but all bodies produce testosterone. Women just produce lower amounts than men.
If you’ve gone to your doctor looking for a solution for your high testosterone levels, you may have been offered:
birth control
spironolactone
metformin
NUTRIENTS & HERBS TO EASE POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME NATURALLY
While there is definitely a time and place for medication, you’re wondering: “is there a way to lower testosterone naturally that I could try first?”
The good news (actually, great, amazing, fantastic new) is YES - there are absolutely natural ways to support healthy testosterone levels.
This important question we need to be asking is: why is my testosterone high in the first place?
This is taking a root cause approach when it comes to understanding our health and hormones. When we answer this question, we are understanding what is driving the imbalance (which is showing up as symptoms in the body).
By addressing the root cause, not simply just the symptom (or the hormone imbalance for that matter), we can find long-term, sustained healing.
So what IS the root main cause of high testosterone levels? Insulin resistance & blood sugar imbalances!
I’m here to help you have better periods, symptomless cycles, and optimize fertility (whether that’s now or in the future) all through simple nutrition and lifestyle shifts that feel simple, doable, and empowering (not overwhelming).
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What are the symptoms of high testosterone in women?
Here are 13 symptoms of high testosterone in women:
1. Hair loss and high testosterone
You might be noticing unusually large handful amounts of hair coming from your head in the shower. Now, everyone has various hair textures and thickness, but if you are noticing that you are shedding more hair than usual, this can be one of the symptoms of high testosterone. Female hair loss is due to the miniaturization of the hair follicle, and increasing terminal follicles. Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is made from a reaction between testosterone and an enzyme dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA. DHT is an opponent of hair follicles, the more it is produced the more it will create hair loss and miniaturize the hair follicle. High levels of testosterone will catalyze this reaction to form DHT and therefore lose hair.
Source: 18044135, American Hair Loss Association
2. Hirsutism and high testosterone
Hirsutism is another one of the many symptoms of high testosterone in females. Affecting 5-10% of females, it is defined as the male-like pattern of hair growth on a female, typically around the face, back, and upper stomach. This is tied to high testosterone of course, and PCOS as well. The reason for the hair growth is from the hair follicles becoming overstimulated as a result of high testosterone levels, and they will therefore grow at a rapid rate and will also increase pigmentation of the hair. Hirsutism can be caused by past drug use from anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives, or high blood pressure medications.
Hirsutism is also a common symptom in women with PCOS. This is one of the symptoms of PCOS because high concentrations of insulin in blood will signal the ovaries to produce more testosterone and will therefore over stimulate the hair follicles.
3. Irregular periods and high testosterone
Irregular periods are another one of the symptoms of high testosterone. Periods become irregular from the loss of ovulation in a cycle. This can be a symptom seen in PCOS. High testosterone can interfere with ovulation. This is why irregular periods can be one of the symptoms of high testosterone.
4. Long Menstrual Cycles and high testosterone
The average menstrual cycle length is 24-36 days, so anything longer than 36 days would be considered a long menstrual cycle, which could be another symptom of high testosterone. Long menstrual cycles can occur with high testosterone because testosterone can interfere with ovulation.
5. Insulin Resistance and High Testosterone
Insulin resistance is another one of the common symptoms of high testosterone. Insulin is a hormone released from the pancreas when you eat food, and its job is to take sugar into cells for energy. Think of it like the cell accepting the sugar is a lock and insulin is the key. When you are insulin resistant the cells deny the insulin with the sugar, so your blood sugar rises along with insulin levels. This would mean that the cell or “lock” changes so that the insulin or “key” no longer fits.
Insulin resistance causes high levels of testosterone because when insulin levels are high in the blood, it will stimulate an enzyme called 17-hydroxylase which will help the ovaries to become stimulated to make more testosterone. Additionally, this process will inhibit synthesis of a binding protein to testosterone which increases the abundance of free testosterone in the blood.
6. Acne and High Testosterone
Acne is another one of the symptoms of high testosterone because acne is highly dependent on hormone activity. In each pore of our skin we have sebaceous glands which produce sebum, an oil-like liquid, which helps to moisturize and protect our skin. When too many dead skin cells collect on the top of the skin in conjunction with high amounts of sebum, this can create a clog in our sebaceous glands and will result in inflammation. Our body will respond to this inflammation by sending white blood cells to the site of the clog which forms the white headed acne.
Testosterone gets converted into DHT and just like with the hair follicles, this is what causes the increase in sebum in the sebaceous glands to further produce acne. Noticing when breakouts occur on your skin is important too. This is because females naturally have an increase in testosterone around ovulation which causes an increase in libido. If you are noticing acne during mid cycle ovulation this may not be one of the symptoms of high testosterone, but if the acne is happening during any time of the cycle then it probably is one of the symptoms of high testosterone.
7. Oily Skin and High Testosterone
Along with acne, oily skin can also be one of the symptoms of high testosterone. Like mentioned, testosterone converts into DHT and this is what makes you produce more sebum. The sebum is an oil like liquid, so this excess production of the sebum is what makes oily skin a symptom of high testosterone.
8. Rough / Dark Skin Areas and High Testosterone
Another one of the symptoms of high testosterone is rough or dark skin areas. This symptom is linked with insulin resistance, which we know causes the higher testosterone levels too. High insulin levels in the blood cause an activation of insulin growth factor IGF-1 receptors on skin cells called keratinocytes and also fibroblasts which initiate rapid cell growth. This is what will cause dark or rough patches on the skin.
Source: 27921251
9. Skin Tags and High Testosterone
Skin tags are little growths of skin on the top layer of the body which do not have any nerves in them. The development of these skin tags are associated with PCOS, and insulin resistance. The study found that when you block androgen receptors in the skin, you will increase the amount of skin tags. This proves that skin tags are one of the symptoms of high testosterone because as the androgen receptors are blocked, this would intentionally increase the free testosterone levels, which formed skin tags.
Source: 20418971
10. Irritability and High Testosterone
Irritability can also be one of the symptoms of high testosterone. Testosterone is linked with aggression, and at elevated levels can cause females to be irritable. Another connection that is possible is that high testosterone can lead to disruptions in the menstrual cycle and irritability can result as a symptom.
Source: 24076484
11. Anxiety and High Testosterone
In addition to irritability, anxiety is another one of the possible symptoms of high testosterone. Linking testosterone’s aggressive functionality, higher levels can cause females specifically to gain anxious tendencies and episodes.
Source: 24076484
12. Depression and High Testosterone
Depression is another one of the symptoms of high testosterone. Studies show that females with symptoms PCOS, hirsutism, acne, and hair loss have higher plasma testosterone levels and additionally have higher depression cases. The link between depression and high testosterone can originate from women who may feel less confident if they are dealing with additional symptoms like infertility, hair loss, facial hair growth etc.
Source: 11955793
13. Infertility and High Testosterone
Lastly, another one of the symptoms of high testosterone is infertility. High testosterone levels can inhibit other reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to difficulties getting pregnant.
Source: 420268
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are several symptoms of high testosterone.
The main foundations when it comes to lowering testosterone naturally is focusing on blood sugar balance and lowering inflammation.
Remember: simple shifts build to make a big impact over time!
Healthy testosterone levels are possible for you.
-Krista
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KRISTA KING, MS, RDN, LDN, IFNCP
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