Increased Testosterone in Women

Many people think that testosterone in women is unnatural and is the result of a hormone imbalance. The truth is women naturally produce both estrogen and testosterone. Both are needed in the reproductive cycle and in the proper care and maintenance of the female body. Sometimes, however, there is too much testosterone in a woman. What are the side effects and why does this occur?

Side effects of increased testosterone in women. Too much testosterone in women can bring on side effects associated with men, such as male pattern baldness, thinning of hair, facial hair, deeper voice and a more apple-shaped figure. Any number of these side effects can be a result of too much testosterone in women, but they do not exclusively mean that. Some of these side effects are associated with other ailments, and so testing must be taken in order to fully determine which it is. Another side effect can be lack of menstruation, extremely light menstruation or extremely early menopause.

Because women produce both testosterone and estrogen, frequently they are given some sort of estrogen dosage to accompany their testosterone treatment. The three types of estrogen are estriol, estradiol and estrone. Estriol is created during pregnancy and is made from the placenta. Estrone is a general estrogen that is maintained through the entire body and is the only estrogen which is still created after menopause begins. Estradiol is the most important hormone in developing and maintaining the female body and sex drive. It helps to develop the female body, it increases health in women's bones and it is responsible for the estrogen-contribution to the female sex drive.

Benefits of increased testosterone in women. High levels of testosterone in women also help with sex drive. During treatments for low libido, women are given testosterone treatments to counteract what may be an abundance of estrogen or low levels of testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone which increases sexual lust and sexual activity in both men and women.

Testosterone also increases impulsiveness and aggressiveness in women, which can be a good thing for the otherwise shy, reclusive or "safe" girls. However, whereas athletic and developing men have plenty of testosterone, a tiny amount of testosterone will go a long way in a woman's body.

Testosterone in women is an interesting and complex hormonal reaction. Women need it in order to be healthy, but too much of it can produce unwanted side effects.

Sources:

http://women.webmd.com/normal-testosterone-and-estrogen-levels-in-women, Web MD

http://www.project-aware.org/Resource/articlearchives/testosterone.shtml, Project-Aware.org