Why testosterone is high and what to do about it

Everyone needs testosterone. On the one hand, it is the main male hormone. Thanks to him, boys develop genitals in the prenatal period, and during maturation, secondary sexual characteristics appear, for example, coarse hair on the body, a deep voice.

In women, testosterone affectsA. M. Traish, N. Kim, K. Min, R. Munarriz, I. goldstein. Role of androgens in female genital sexual arousal: receptor expression, structure, and function / Fertility and sterility on arousal, sexual behavior and conception. It also synthesizes estrogen, the female sex hormone.

His norm is changingTestosterone / Helix based on gender, age and physical condition. For example, if the level of testosterone in the same man at 30 and 40 is the same, then at 30 this is a normal value, and at 40 it is elevated.

Lots of skin receptorsA. A. Sinisi, D. Pasqual, A. Notaro A. Bellastella. Sexual differentiation / Journal of endocrinological investigation testosterone, so an increase in its amount affects the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Acne appears on the face, back and chest. There is more hair on the body, and on the contrary, they fall out on the head. Also, this hormone is associated with behavior, its excess makes a person more aggressive and reduces empathy.

Men have moderate promotionTestosterone / Mayo Clinic Laboratories testosterone levels are usually asymptomatic, and already with a significant characteristic signs appear. And in women, even a slight deviation from the norm can lead to virilization - the development of hypertrophied male features. For example, the proportions of the body change, the voice coarsens, the clitoris increases, the infertility.

Testosterone levels can rise for a variety of reasons. To normalize it, you need to know exactly which ones.

1. Taking certain medicines

The level of male hormones in the blood is increased, for example, synthetic testosterone, glucocorticosteroidsGlucocorticoid Therapy and Cushing Syndrome / Medscape, anabolic steroidAndrogen Excess Clinical Presentation / Medscape or epilepsy medicationsJ. Rättyä, A.J. Pakarinen, M. Knip, M. Repo-Outakoski, V.V. Myllyla, J.I. Isojärvi. Early hormonal changes during valproate or carbamazepine treatment: a 3-month study / Neurology. They contain testosterone or substances from which it is obtained.

What to do

If you suspect that your testosterone has increased due to treatment, you should contact the doctor who prescribed the medication. If possible, he will select drugs that will not affect the level of hormones. But it happens that it is impossible to change the treatment, then the doctor will try to reduce the dosage or prescribe some auxiliary means.

If you prescribed anabolic steroids or testosterone yourself, for example, to build musclestop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

2. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

This is a genetic disorder in which lacksCongenital Adrenal Hyperplasia / MSD Manuals an enzyme required for the production of mineralocorticoids. But the brain needs these salt metabolism hormones, so it forces the adrenal glands to produce their precursors. The adrenal glands try their best and increase in size, hyperplasia occurs. And there are so many mineralocorticoid precursors that the body has to dispose of them and turn them into testosterone.

Congenital hyperplasia has several forms. In the classic version, girls are born with mixed sex characteristics, and boys are born with normal genitals. Therefore, the second diagnosis is made later - at the first scheduled ultrasound, when the adrenal glands are seen.

In children with nonclassical enzyme deficiency, the disease does not become apparent until early childhood or adolescence. Due to the excess testosterone, they begin puberty early. At the same time, girls become more hair on the body, appears acne and the cycle is not set.

What to do

You need to contact a pediatrician who will refer you to an endocrinologist. The doctor will prescribe tests for hormones and ultrasound. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the child will offerCongenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Medication / Medscape hormone therapy with steroids. Girls may need surgical reconstruction of the genital organs.

3. Hormone-producing tumors

Sometimes formations can themselves produceA.S. Kota, S. ejaz. Precocious Puberty / StatPearls Publishing hormones. For example, some testicular, ovarian, brain, and adrenal tumors often synthesize testosterone. Then suddenly there are pronounced symptoms of its increase, and in women virilization quickly occurs.

What to do

You need to contact a gynecologist, urologist or therapist. If the doctor suspects a tumor, he will refer you to an oncologist to develop a plan for how to treat it. deleteLeidig Cell Tumors Treatment / Medscape.

4. hirsutism

This is a frequent female endocrine diseaseHirsutism/Medscape: 10% of women in the US experience it. Because of it, stiffer long hair begins to grow in places where there are usually only inconspicuous vellus. For example, above the lip, on the chin, chest, back and other areas.

It can be congenital, be a symptom of hormonal disorders, or appearHirsutism: Clinical Presentation / Medscape for an unknown reason. For example, in the skin there may be an increase in the number receptorsJ. b. Schmidt, J. Spona, J. Huber. Androgen receptor in hirsutism and acne / Gynecologic and obstetric investigation, or they will become more sensitive to testosterone, or there will simply be a lot of male hormones in the blood.

What to do

Contact a gynecologist. He will recommendHirsutism: Medication Treatment / Medscape drugs that prevent testosterone from being produced or from binding to receptors. To get rid of already grown hair, you can do hair removal.

5. polycystic ovary syndrome

In this condition, due to improper functioning of pituitary hormones in the ovaries appearPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome/Medscape multiple cysts and the cells that produce testosterone are activated.

In such women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, ovulation disappears, acne and excess weight appear, coarse hair grows on the body, and falls out more strongly on the head. Typically, symptoms first occur in teenagers or young girls. IN THE USA polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of infertility.

What to do

You need to see a gynecologist. He will prescribe an ultrasound of the ovaries and a blood test for sex hormones. For the treatment of polycystic ovary recommendPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome/Medscape contraceptives and drugs that prevent the production of testosterone.

Another gynecologist will help fight the symptoms of increased testosterone. For example, recommends epilation with increased body hair growth. Maybe, needPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Treatment & Management / Medscape dietary and lifestyle modifications.

6. Ovarian hyperthecosis

This is a rare condition that usually occurs before or after menopause. At the ovaries, the membrane thickens, in it accumulateOvarian Hyperthecosis / UpToDate special theca cells that produce testosterone.

What to do

As with PCOS, a doctor may prescribe hormone therapy to lower testosterone levels. If a woman no longer plans to have children or she has already entered menopause, gynecologists recommend removing both ovaries.

7. Menopause

ovaries mayOvarian Androgen Production in Postmenopausal Women / The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism produce hormones for 10 years after menopause, but in smaller quantities. Both estrogen and testosterone are usually reduced. But it happens that female sex hormones producedEndocrine Function of the Postmenopausal Ovary: Concentration of Androgens and Estrogens in Ovarian and Peripheral Vein Blood / The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism less than men. Therefore, after menopause, women can grow hard hair on the face and other parts of the body, more actively fall hair on the head, and hormone-dependent formations appear in the uterus and ovaries.

Some researchers believe that the symptoms are more pronounced in overweight women, because adipose tissue accumulates hormones and is involved in their metabolism.

What to do

Reduce manifestations canAndrogen Excess Treatment & Management / Medscape  through lifestyle and nutrition modifications. Sometimes gynecologists appointMenopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy / Medscape hormone replacement therapy so that the symptoms of menopause are milder and less disturbing for a woman.