How Common is Naturally High Testosterone in Women?

In contrast, a normal range for women is between 15 and 70 ng/dL.(7)(8) However, testosterone blood tests can produce varied results from one day to the next and are not required for the treatment of menopause symptoms. Depending on the cause of your high testosterone, certain lifestyle changes may improve testosterone levels and related symptoms. For example, minor weight loss has been shown to greatly improve PCOS symptoms. [5] Speak with your provider about your current lifestyle habits and what changes you can make to improve your overall health. A few options may include increasing physical activity, eating a more balanced diet, drinking more water, etc.

In general, however, adult men may not notice symptoms low testosterone in men of too much testosterone. Women with high testosterone develop many noticeable symptoms and signs such as unusual hair growth, obesity, hoarseness, and menstrual irregularities. On physical examination, body mass index, blood pressure, and signs of hyperandrogenism, such as acne and hirsutism, should be evaluated. It also is useful to assess for signs of insulin resistance, such as hypertension, obesity, centripetal fat distribution, skin tags, and acanthosis nigricans. Modified Ferriman–Gallwey Figure 2 scoring evaluates nine areas of the body; a score greater than 8 is indicative of hirsutism 3.

Additionally, laser hair removal or electrolysis can help with long-term hair removal. Furthermore, Kodaman says lifestyle modifications like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and losing weight (if necessary) can help, too. High T levels can be an issue for both people with penises and people with vulvas. You may decide to shave or bleach any unwanted hair or use a facial cleanser for acne to help reduce breakouts.

First, exercise and strength training in females does lead to relative increases in testosterone, but the increases are transient and apparently do not lead to effects longer than several hours (174–176). Second, several studies document the strong heritability of testosterone in females, with estimates ranging from 26 to 70 percent (177–179). These findings support the idea that some females have higher testosterone levels due to genetically based factors, and not solely because of environmental factors (e.g., exercise, training, etc.).

Cushing’s syndrome is another hormonal condition impacting the adrenal glands. Testosterone is an important hormone for regulating sex drive (libido), bone and muscle mass and fat distribution. Hormonal therapy is an acceptable first-line approach to management of acne for postmenarchal adolescents. This approach may be particularly appealing to adolescents who are also interested in menstrual cycle control, contraception, or both. Any estrogen-containing therapy should be effective at reducing acne, and OCPs particularly are effective for adolescents who report premenstrual acne flare-ups 28.

Too much estrogen can cause your sex drive to drop and your weight to go up, particularly around your waist and hips. You also may experience changes to your periods — with bleeding either lighter or heavier than normal and your cycle’s timing becoming unpredictable. However, testosterone values of over 150 ng/dL in women would require further evaluation for the most serious causes of hyperandrogenism, such as adrenal tumors.

If you think that you may be experiencing high testosterone symptoms, consult your health care provider to determine the cause and to start appropriate treatment for your condition. In severe cases, high testosterone levels in women can lead to obesity and infertility. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a disorder that directly affects the adrenal glands and the production of the body’s hormones. Our Doctors can recommend a care plan for you, based on your symptoms, hormone levels and specific health goals. Excessive alcohol consumption may increase levels of testosterone in premenopausal women, however, research is conflicting.

For many people with CAH, the enzyme shortage causes their adrenal glands to overproduce other hormones, like testosterone. Hyperandrogenism is the defining sign of PCOS, a hormonal imbalance caused by the ovaries (the organ that produces and releases eggs) creating excess male hormones. Some lifestyle changes can reduce high testosterone in females, while others simply manage symptoms. Anyone with a hormonal imbalance needs to speak with a doctor before trying medical treatments for excess hair growth. Usually, a healthcare professional will take a person’s blood sample in the morning when testosterone levels are highest.

Women present with rapidly, progressive symptoms of hyperandrogenism, often with virilization.56, 74 Surgical resection results in rapid resolution of symptoms. But it’s not always easy to lose weight with this condition because your body is in fat storage mode. If you are overweight or have obesity and also have PCOS, weight loss can help improve fertility and regulate your menstrual cycle. In most cases, high testosterone levels in women are usually due to an underlying medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In the female body, small amounts of testosterone are usually released into the bloodstream from the ovaries and adrenal glands.