The Effects on Women Of High Testosterone Levels

Testosterone, an androgen steroid hormone linked to male sexuality, stimulates the growth of male sexual organs. This deepens a males voice, stimulates hair growth, and is important in the sexual behavior of men. Testosterone is made in the testicles of men and the ovaries of women. Testosterone is also made in the adrenal glands of both men and women.

Women who are going through pre-menopause have the second highest levels of testosterone. As women get older, they produce less estrogen and more testosterone. Women who are in menopause and post-menopause have the highest levels of testosterone.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndromes, Ovarian tumor, Adrenal Gland Disorders, Gigantism, Conn's Syndrome, Dwarfism, and Cushing's are disorders that can cause high testosterone levels in women. Medications may also be responsible for high testosterone levels in women, these include, Steroid abuse and Dilantin. Dilantin is a drug used to treat people who have epilepsy.

Some women may experience unusual hair growth while others may go bald on the top of their head ( the crown). When testosterone blood levels are extremely high balding can occur. Balding often occurs when women have ovarian or adrenal gland tumors, these tumors can raise testosterone levels.

Women with high testosterone levels may experience male hair patterns on the face and chest. They may have a deeper voice than women with low testosterone levels, increased muscle mass, weight gain, acne and a enlarged clitoris. Some women with high levels of testosterone may even have an increase of perspiration and increased aggression. Women can also benefit from midrange to high levels of testosterone. Mid to high range levels help improve a woman's sexual appetite as well as improve mood. Older women who have reached menopause and have high levels of testosterone are at risk of developing heart disease.

Some women who have high levels of testosterone may be more prone to having sons instead of daughters, due to the testosterone levels. If you are a woman who has children, all boys, it is possible your testosterone levels are high.

If you are experiencing male hair patterns or any of the other things mentioned above your doctor can run a blood test to check your hormone levels. If there is high levels of testosterone he will refer you to an endocrinologist. A endocrinologist specializes hormone levels and glandular functions. There are no treatments for lowering high levels of testosterone other than birth control pills.