Do naturally high testosterone levels equal stronger female athletic performance? Not necessarily

High testosterone in males: Signs and symptoms

Together with the female sex hormone estrogen, testosterone plays a role in the growth and maintenance of female reproductive tissue and bone mass. Elevated testosterone levels in women are caused by underlying health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Treating high testosterone largely depends on the underlying condition causing it and may require lifelong attention.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone, a small amount of which is also produced in women’s ovaries. In the female body, testosterone is combined with estrogen and helps in overall growth and maintenance. Testosterone also repairs the reproductive tissues in women and impacts behavior and bone mass.

This is one reason it’s so important to get on a good treatment plan, which can help improve those physical symptoms and, as a result, improve mood and quality of life. As women approach menopause, testosterone (just like estrogen and progesterone) will start to dip. In fact, at around age 30, testosterone levels start gently declining at a rate of about 1% to 2% per year; by the time you hit menopause, levels are approximately half of what they were at their peak. But for some women, testosterone can actually shoot up in the other direction.

Most women with hirsutism use physical methods of hair removal and may take the birth control pill. Some women have more activity of the enzyme 5-reductase within their sebaceous glands. This leads to more male hormone dihydrotestosterone within the cell, which can explain acne and hirsutism.

By contrast, Marchi et al. (155) reported that the CSG properties of Later Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic (6,000–5,500 BP) indicated patterns of decreased robusticity in females. Midi’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare for women at midlife, wherever they live and whatever their health story. We believe that starts with education, to help all of us understand our always-changing bodies and health needs.

Having high testosterone levels can be a long-term health issue, which is why it’s important to think of managing your symptoms as a long-term project. Embrace a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise, find what works for reducing your stress, and keep up with routine doctor visits to keep an eye on your hormone levels. Many symptoms of PCOS line up with symptoms of perimenopause, like irregular or missed periods, mood changes, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping.

It contains phytoestrogens, which may help lower testosterone levels. Often, it is combined with other herbs like licorice for enhanced effects. Metformin, typically used to manage diabetes, can also effectively reduce testosterone levels in women with PCOS. It’s essential to remember that having high levels of testosterone is not necessarily harmful.

People who are or think they may be experiencing high testosterone symptoms should consult a doctor to determine the cause and determine the best course of treatment. Treating the underlying disorder will often reduce symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. Doctors may also prescribe oral contraceptives, as this treatment helps block excess testosterone cypionate benefits for bodybuilding. People with CAH lack one of the enzymes necessary to regulate the production of these hormones, so they secrete too little cortisol and too much testosterone. Depending on which lab performs your testosterone test, normal values may vary slightly from these. AMS Members who are doctors that have a special interest in women’s health in midlife and menopause. Options for female testosterone replacement- unfortunately we do not have a female specific licensed testosterone product.

Third, most (about 60%–70%) of studies that quantified musculoskeletal stress marker (MSM) scores (that indicate muscularity) have reported that males exhibited higher MSM scores than females, on average. However, several studies showed opposite sex-related patterns, where females exhibited higher MSM scores than males. For example, MSM scores from skeletons from both Natufian and Neolithic sites in the Levant (8,000–6,000 BC) were higher in females than in males, particularly in muscles attached to the ulna or radius (159). Similarly, using a sample of 185 skeletons from Pecos Pueblo (1,200–1,838 AD) in New Mexico, Chapman (160) reported that females had higher MSM scores in the pectoralis minor, a muscle likely utilized in grinding maize. I’ve struggled with perimenopause symptoms like weight gain, hair loss, acne, and facial hair. But if your testosterone is chronically above what’s considered within normal range, you’ll begin to see certain noticeable symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with hyperandrogenism and are taking medication for it, you’ll likely need to see your healthcare provider regularly to make sure your treatment is working.

While it may seem like an unlikely treatment for menopause, TRT can be used to help relieve symptoms related to fluctuating hormone levels during the menopause transition. This article will explain in detail how testosterone impacts female health and how women can naturally boost testosterone levels. The acne is due to increased sebum (oil) production, which is stimulated by elevated testosterone levels, Kodaman says. As for the increased hair growth, she says this occurs in a “male pattern,” meaning it may grow on the jawline, chest, back, and lower abdomen.