Testosterone is conventionally called the male sex hormone. Due to the fact that its production in the body of men is increased, they are physically strong and resilient, and active in sexual relations. Women produce much less testosterone, but the functions of this hormone are also important. Its content affects, first of all, the work reproductive system. The production of testosterone in excess amounts means that an endocrine disruption has occurred. This affects appearance, functioning various organs, woman's reproductive capacity.

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Functions of testosterone in the female body

Testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. It is involved in metabolism, promotes the absorption of calcium, which is necessary for normal bone formation and muscle tissue, preventing the development of osteoporosis. This hormone regulates the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands and affects the condition of the heart muscle.

The presence of a small amount of the male sex hormone in the body of women affects the formation of character. Thanks to the presence of testosterone, they exhibit a desire for personal self-affirmation, emotionality, energy, and sexuality. But the ability to empathize, maternal instinct, suspiciousness and anxiety are explained by the influence of estrogens.

Important biological role male hormone in a woman’s body is also that this substance stimulates the maturation of eggs in the follicles, that is, without it it is impossible to carry out reproductive function. When testosterone production is disrupted in women, hormonal infertility occurs due to lack of ovulation.

Testosterone begins to be produced already in the body of the embryo. After the baby is born he plays important role in the formation of the skeleton and muscles, necessary for normal development growing organism.

During puberty, under the influence of testosterone, girls develop characteristics figure, hair growth begins on the pubis and under the arms. Her character and state of mind changes.

Hormone levels remain highest in women reproductive age. After menopause begins, there is a steady decline in the content of this substance.

There are 2 types of testosterone in the body: free and bound to protein molecules. Normal indicators correspond to the content of the hormone found in the blood in free form, which directly stimulates the functioning of various organs.

• at the age of 9 years - no more than 1.7 pg/ml;
• after 10 years and before menopause – from 0.5 to 4.1 pg/ml;
• during the postmenopausal period – from 0.1 to 1.7 pg/ml.

For men of reproductive age, the norm is 4.3-30 pg/ml.

Testosterone levels can fluctuate throughout the day; they increase during ovulation, pregnancy, increased physical activity, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Video: Consequences, diagnosis and treatment of hyperandrogenism in women

What are the dangers of exceeding testosterone levels?

An excess of the male hormone contributes to the occurrence of serious physical and mental development, causes a significant deterioration in the condition of women reproductive health. If testosterone levels are elevated, this can lead to a hormonal shift - a decrease in the content of female sex hormones in the blood and, accordingly, to the impossibility of the normal course of the menstrual cycle.

The consequences of an abnormal increase in testosterone levels in a woman’s body include infertility, obesity, and diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms of high testosterone

If the level of the hormone in the blood significantly exceeds the norm, it manifests itself as follows:

1. A teenage girl has delayed sexual development. Menstruation appears after 15 years, there are significant fluctuations in the timing of menstruation, they may be absent for six months or more.
2. External sexual characteristics are poorly developed. The figure is being formed according to male type(hips are narrow, the waist is smooth, the shoulders are wide, the mammary glands are not developed).
3. An adult woman has an unusual physical strength, she has sharp, angular movements.
4. The skin is characterized by oiliness, the presence of pimples and blackheads.
5. The voice can be low and rough.
6. “Male” character traits appear (she is more passionate, aggressive, less shy, and has an increased libido). There is often an addiction to smoking and alcohol abuse.

Sign of appearance endocrine pathology, due to which a woman experiences increased testosterone, is a combination of symptoms such as a delay (disappearance) of menstruation, male-type changes in the figure, the formation of bald patches on the head, the appearance of hair on uncharacteristic areas of the body, a sudden increase in sexuality, aggressive behavior (irritability, rudeness), increased physical endurance. Can change appearance external genitalia (clitoris enlarges).

Reasons why testosterone increases

In women, pathology occurs much more often than in men. Reasons for exceeding the norm may be:

• disruption of the functioning of the ovaries due to the formation of tumors in them or a malfunction of the pituitary gland-hypothalamus;
• hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex;
• poor nutrition(fasting, vegetarianism or, conversely, overuse animal fats);
• use of hormonal contraceptives and medications;
• diseases of the liver, thyroid and pancreas;
• genetic predisposition.

During menopause, due to an uneven decrease in hormone production, temporary hyperandrogenism occurs, which does not require drug correction.

Video: Causes and treatment of hyperandrogenism in women

How is testosterone level determined?

Blood sampling is performed in the morning before eating or drinking anything other than water. On the eve of the procedure, the patient must stop drinking alcohol, smoking, taking medications, and exercising. Must be avoided nervous stress and abstain from sexual intercourse.

The analysis result is usually ready within a few hours.

Treatment

If the analysis shows that the level of male hormone is increased, then, first of all, an ultrasound, CT or MRI examination is performed to exclude malignant diseases endocrine organs and polycystic ovary syndrome.

If tumors are detected, surgical treatment is performed.

Drug therapy carried out using drugs that increase the level of female sex hormones in the body ( synthetic analogues estrogens and progesterone), such as cyproterone, proginova.

Additionally, Siofor, Veroshpiron, and Glucophage are used, which contain components that suppress testosterone production. In some cases, to restore hormonal levels, taking oral contraceptives Diana is 35, Yarina or Zhanine.

Warning: Therapy is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor. The type of drug and its dose are selected individually. Improper use of the medicine leads to serious side effects. After treatment it is necessary to carry out repeat tests, since testosterone levels may rise again.

Folk remedies. They are used only after determining the cause of the disorder and with the permission of a doctor, like any other medicine. Infusions of medicinal herbs (angelica, licorice, marina root) are used as agents that reduce testosterone levels.

Pilates and yoga are effective adjuvant therapies. They help improve organ function, strengthen nervous system, which is necessary to restore hormonal balance.

Note: If testosterone levels are elevated, it is recommended to avoid sports exercises that stimulate muscle growth. muscle mass.

Testosterone levels during pregnancy

Happens during pregnancy physiological increase testosterone content is 3-4 times higher than usual, as the placenta begins to produce it. This becomes especially noticeable starting from the 2nd trimester. After 30 weeks, the level reaches its maximum and remains high until delivery.

If the pregnancy is progressing normally, then there is no need for a testosterone test. It is necessary to control the level of the hormone if a woman had hyperandrogenism before pregnancy. It is especially important to do this at 4-8 and 13-23 weeks, since if the level of the male hormone is elevated, a miscarriage may occur. If the risk is high enough, hormone therapy is performed.

Testosterone belongs to the group of androgens, making up the bulk of all male sex hormones. IN female body its contents 70% less. The hormone is produced by the testes in men, and by the ovaries in women, only a small part of it is synthesized by the adrenal cortex. The concentration of testosterone directly depends on a person’s age, his life and clinical history.

Increased concentrations of the hormone occur in women much more often than in men and in clinical medicine is called hyperandrogenism. Symptoms of the disease are practically on the surface, always expressed clearly, without a hidden course. Hormonal imbalance makes adjustments not only to physical health woman, but also in her psycho-emotional state.

Causes

An increase in free testosterone occurs in a number of internal and external factors. Exogenous factors usually affect hormonal background women through food products And environment. Considered endogenous age characteristics, pregnancy and lactation, chronic diseases organs or systems.

If the hormone imbalance is temporary, it is unlikely to affect general condition health, however, if increased testosterone is systemic in nature, then complications will not keep you waiting. The main causes of increased testosterone in women are:

kidney pathologies ( functional disorders adrenal cortex);

long-term drug treatment, inadequate drug therapy;

oncological processes in the body;

damage to the ovaries of any origin;

fibroids or uterine polyposis;

hyper- or hypothyroidism and dysfunction endocrine system;

heredity;

Cushing's syndrome, Conn's (with excessive concentration of glucocorticoids);

alcoholism, drug addiction.

History of diabetes mellitus, rare genetic diseases are also indirect causes of hyperandrogenism. If the imbalance of the hormone volume is stable for more than a year, then the first symptomatic manifestations appear.

Symptoms

Usually a woman feels internal breakdowns in her own body, especially when it comes to negative changes in appearance and psycho-emotional state. When the first symptoms appear, it is important to consult a doctor for full examination of hormonal levels and health in general. The first doctor is a gynecologist, after which consultations with an endocrinologist and other specialists in the recommended profile may be required.

The main symptoms are:

ovarian dysfunction;

amenorrhea, menstrual irregularities;

In the second case, when the girl becomes a woman physically and mentally, testosterone is also increased. In girls with increased testosterone, aggressive behavior is increased, there is a tendency to suicide, oily skin with traces of acne, pimples, secondary sexual characteristics quickly appear.

Puberty is a difficult period in the life of any teenager. Parents should pay special attention to any changes in behavior and mental state child. When stored for a long time unpleasant symptoms Hormonal therapy is acceptable to normalize the ratio of androgens and estrogens.

Basic methods for reducing testosterone in women

Normally, the level of testosterone in the blood of a teenage girl reaches 3.09 pg/ml, in adult woman- 3.09 pg/ml, and from the age of 40 the testosterone level decreases significantly and after 60 years it barely reaches 1.8 pg/ml. After accurate diagnosis hyperandrogenism, Treatment tactics will depend entirely on the cause the occurrence of pathology.

Increased insulin

If testosterone is low due to high insulin levels, the following measures are recommended:

• intensive physical exercise in the absence of contraindications (to increase tissue sensitivity to insulin and strengthen muscle structures);

  T3 hormone replacement therapy to improve performance thyroid gland;

  drug therapy to increase tissue sensitivity to insulin (alpha-amylase inhibitors, Metaformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors);

  systematic course of dietary supplements (berberine, magnesium, chromium, alpha lipoic acid).

Replacement therapy can be lifelong, so women should be patient and understanding with the entire treatment process.

Changes in the ratio of estrogen and progesterone

Before starting therapy to reduce testosterone concentrations, it is recommended:

treatment of hypothyroidism if necessary (T4 analysis);

treatment of the liver in the presence of pathologies;

taking biodentical hormones;

regular intake of dietary supplements (bio-identical progesterone, methylsulfonylmethane).

Before starting treatment, any disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system and liver structures should be excluded. Without professional diagnostics self-diagnosis impossible.

Adrenal diseases

If in clinical history If women have previously had kidney problems, it is important to contact a nephrologist to examine the adrenal glands, which also produce testosterone. The following measures should be taken:

increasing the amount of salt consumed (preferably sea salt);

normalization of the emotional background ( frequent walks, Fresh air, sports, positive methods in psychology);

exclusion of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco;

stopping amphetamines;

normalization of sleep, rest and wakefulness (sleep should be at least 8 hours);

taking dietary supplements;

systemic treatment of kidney diseases (adequate replacement therapy).

Increasing the amount of salt will restore electrolyte balance, especially regarding sodium concentration. It is recommended to drink medicinal water daily mineral water, having previously released gas bubbles from it.

High leptin concentration

When diagnosing of this state you will need to resort to the following measures:

therapeutic fasting;

reduction of carbohydrates and fructose in the diet;

compensation for thyroid diseases;

intense physical activity;

drugs that increase sensitivity to leptin;

Dietary supplements (Omega-3 fish fat, leucine, other additives).

The main drugs for the treatment of hyperandrogenism are Cyproterone, Digostin, Digitalis, Dexamethasone. It is important to understand that the start of treatment should be based on the data obtained laboratory research. For the final manifestation of hyperandrogenism, symptoms alone are not enough.

Consequences of increased testosterone

For a long time hormonal imbalance and persistent manifestation of hyperandrogenism in women appear multiple problems, mainly associated with changes in figure, appearance, voice. It's not uncommon for women to find high testosterone levels when they see their doctor about infertility or menstrual irregularities. Over time, a woman's figure resembles a man's, including her gait and manner of communication. The consequences of hormonal imbalance can be:

oncological diseases of the genital organs and mammary glands;

neoplasms in the uterine cavity (fibroids, polyps);

diseases of the reproductive system (endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome)

pathological changes in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;

diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders.

Against the background of serious hormonal disorders, a woman is unable to cope with her emotional anxiety, general emotional state, hence the appearance of aggression, hot temper, and persistent behavior. Sometimes changes even call into question a future adequate life. Depression, disturbances in sexual life, sweating and hair growth - all this can serve as a signal for a violation of the secretion of testosterone in the female body.

Nature created man as a single, well-coordinated mechanism. Hormonal disorders are a very delicate area human body, but it is hormones that form the foundation of human health. For any violations, competent correction is important, which will not only improve well-being, but also maintain physical fitness and health.

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is synthesized in both the male and female body, the difference lies only in the concentration of this hormone. Testosterone regulates and normalizes the functioning of many organs in the human body. Testosterone is produced in the ovaries in women, testes in men, and also partially in the adrenal cortex.

Testosterone in women

In the female body, testosterone is responsible for:

• education bone tissue(prevents the development of osteoporosis);
• regulation of fat and muscle mass;
• maintaining the body's energy level;
• sexual desire.

Increased testosterone It is diagnosed in women much more often than in men, and in medicine is referred to as “hyperandrogenism.” As a result of hormonal imbalance, a woman's menstrual cycle, there is no ovulation and, as a result, functional infertility develops.

With increased testosterone, a woman’s sleep is disturbed, the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus and complicated labor activity. The main signs of increased testosterone in women:

• excessive hair growth (hair appears on fingers, back, arms, face);
• the hair on the head is actively beginning to fall out;
• the timbre of the voice becomes lower and rougher;
• the skin thickens, becomes oily and becomes acne-prone;
• the figure takes on a masculine outline;
• the clitoris can become very enlarged and grow beyond the labia.

In addition to changes in physiology, a woman also experiences a change in behavior - aggressiveness, ambition, and a desire for leadership appear. A woman becomes prone to gambling and alcohol abuse.

Elevated testosterone levels in women can be caused by various tumors, poor diet, hereditary predisposition, as well as overactive adrenal cortex.

Attention! During pregnancy, an increase in testosterone levels is normal, since this hormone promotes gestation in combination with other female sex hormones.

Maximum testosterone levels are observed in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is necessary to strictly monitor the concentration of the hormone in the blood, since an excessive amount of testosterone causes pregnancy to fail.

How to lower testosterone levels in women

How to lower testosterone in women? First of all, you need to visit a gynecologist and get a referral to study the level of testosterone in the body. If a high concentration of the hormone is detected, the doctor will select effective hormonal therapy.

Important! You cannot self-medicate or purchase hormonal drugs on the advice of friends or the Internet. Reception of unsuitable hormonal drugs causes serious complications.

Elevated testosterone in the blood can be reduced with the help of medications. To correct high testosterone in women, Diane-35, Cyproterone, Digostin, and Dexamethasone are most often used. If therapy is effective, the hormone returns to normal fairly quickly.

After treatment, it is necessary to regularly take tests and monitor the concentration of the hormone, because after withdrawal hormone therapy testosterone may rise again. In this case, it is necessary to look for the root cause of this violation.

How to lower testosterone in women without hormones? Following a diet can also help reduce hormone levels. It is important to include in your diet those foods that increase estrogen levels (soy, wheat, rice, cherries, apples).

Note. Moderate physical activity, such as Pilates and yoga, is beneficial. Strength training Women should avoid this as they will experience excessive muscle growth.

How to reduce testosterone in women without medications? Among folk recipes to combat high testosterone in women, licorice root, chaste vitex, marin root, angelica, evening primrose and others are used medicinal herbs. It is important to note that you should not resort to using traditional recipes without first consulting a doctor.

Testosterone in men

The stronger sex is also often concerned about the question of what to do if testosterone is elevated. IN male body testosterone is responsible for the condition of the skeleton and muscle mass, regulates erection and fertilizing ability.

Hyperandrogenism can be caused by uncontrolled use of certain medications that contain hormones, for example, Mifepristone, Danazol, Gonadotropin, Tamoxifen and others.

The most harmless factors that can contribute to increased testosterone in men are lack of sleep, lack of diet, and irregular sex life.

Among pathological conditions organisms that influence hormone levels are the following:

• tumors localized in the testicles or adrenal glands;
• excessive physical activity;
• body resistance to androgens;
• congenital hyperplasia or dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
• pituitary tumors;
• early puberty(the boy's penis grows large sizes, and the testicles remain underdeveloped) - in this case, despite physical maturity, the boy still has childish mental development.

Increased testosterone in men is accompanied by aggressive behavior, excitability, irritability, the appearance of purulent rashes on the skin, abundant vegetation over the entire surface of the body, while hair most often begins to fall out on the head. Also, the stronger sex has increased sexual activity, a tendency to take risky actions and impulsiveness.

Often in young people taking anabolic steroid hormones, increased testosterone is noted. It negatively affects the functioning of the male gonads, contributing to testicular atrophy, and subsequently to the development of infertility.

Important! High testosterone can cause the development of many diseases, for example, erectile dysfunction, cancer prostate gland, infertility and others.

On the nervous system side, the man experiences insomnia, headaches, and sudden mood swings. This is due to the fact that high testosterone provokes the destruction of brain cells. In teenagers hormonal imbalance causes growth retardation.

Treatment for high testosterone in men

How to lower testosterone in men? If a boy's testosterone levels increase during adolescence, then he is prescribed therapy with a luteinizing hormone analogue. As a result of treatment, hormonal levels are normalized, testosterone concentration is reduced to normal age levels.

If signs of increased testosterone occur in an adult man (uncontrollable sexual desire, irritability and aggression appear), then it is necessary to undergo full examination to determine the causes of the violation.

Attention! If a man plays sports and takes drugs that promote muscle growth, then it is enough to stop taking them, and the hormone level will normalize on its own.

The cause of high testosterone may be a tumor localized in the adrenal glands. How to lower testosterone levels in a man in this case? If the neoplasm is benign, then after it surgical removal hormonal balance will come back to normal.

A tumor in the testicles may occur (especially in adolescents with early puberty), which also must be removed surgically; after this, testosterone will decrease to the age norm.

Sometimes it is enough for a man to adjust his “work-rest-sleep” mode and avoid overloading the body in order to reduce elevated testosterone. It is also very important for a man to establish sex life. Sexual relations should be regular, but not too frequent, and always with one permanent partner. Masturbation is strictly not recommended.

About high testosterone levels in women, by Westin Childs, a practicing physician and functional medicine specialist. Childs maintains a blog for patients, writes as clearly as possible, shows printouts of the tests he relies on, and makes specific recommendations. For women suffering from hirsutism, this article is useful both in terms of content and as an illustration of the approach.

Weight gain, acne, hair loss (and hirsutism - approx. website) - do you have any of these? This is far from full list symptoms of high testosterone levels in the blood in women. Why are testosterone levels rising and what needs to be done to reduce them?

Any doctor can say that the concentration of testosterone is higher than normal, but few are ready to voice recommendations for solving the problem. To move towards normal life, you need to understand what exactly is happening to your body.

The problem here is that in 95% of cases, high testosterone is not a syndrome, but a symptom of another hormonal imbalance. Therefore, the main task is to find this imbalance and solve the problem associated with it - then the concentration of testosterone in the blood will decrease.

Symptoms of High Testosterone Levels

Before we move on to discussing the causes of high testosterone levels in the blood and how to correct it, we need to list the symptoms of this condition.

Symptoms have key value, because each person’s body has its own normal limits. I've seen plenty of women with all the symptoms higher level testosterone, while their tests were only at the upper limit of normal. (Read how much the concept of “norm” differs for individuals, populations limited geographically, and humanity in general - approx. website)

So, the main symptoms of high testosterone:

• Weight gain (especially rapid) or inability to lose it.
• Hair loss, especially in male pattern and when thyroid hormone levels are normal.
• Acne, changes in oily skin and hair; Cystic acne is common, especially on the chin.
• Mood changes: depression, irritability, anxiety, frequent change moods.
• Other hormone imbalances: estrogen to progesterone ratio imbalance, thyroid hormone deficiency (Childs doesn't go into detail about this, so read my article on how - approx. website), excess adrenal androgens (eg, DHAE-S).

As you can see, these are nonspecific, very vague symptoms, which are also characteristic of other hormonal abnormalities. For example, a lack of thyroid hormones can lead to weight gain and hair loss, but in this case the hair will fall out evenly, without the bald patches seen in men. Excess thyroid hormones can lead to acne, but it is rarely cystic and does not tend to occur on the chin. Thus, these symptoms will help determine where exactly the problem occurred. hormonal disbalance. The hypotheses then need to be tested in the laboratory.

Laboratory testing of testosterone levels in the blood

So let's talk about what abnormal testosterone levels look like. Let's look at a few examples. In the first example, the woman has a high level of free testosterone and the upper limit of normal total testosterone.

You see that only free testosterone is labeled as high, but in reality the patient has excess testosterone altogether. How do I know? The thing is, I see facial hair, acne and overweight. See: free testosterone is physiological active form testosterone, high concentrations of which are responsible for the symptoms listed above. (Total testosterone has practically no diagnostic value at all - approx. website.)

In this patient's case, the cause was insulin resistance. Working in this direction, she and I managed to reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, and the symptoms disappeared.

Second example.

Again we see a high level of free testosterone and completely normal level total testosterone. Family doctor I didn't notice any problems because overgrowth hair was weak, weight was at the upper limit of normal, but the girl suffered from sharp changes mood and irritability.

That's why it's important to look at symptoms along with lab tests to see and diagnose the problem.

I also want to show you an example of low testosterone levels in the blood.

The patient’s main problem was insulin resistance, which is why I gave the value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (HbA1c is a specific marker that helps estimate the average blood glucose level over the last 2-3 months - approx. website). Remember: high insulin levels can cause both high and low level testosterone, it depends on the individual patient. And both of these conditions are equally bad.

Now you know how to identify elevated testosterone levels and what symptoms to monitor.

6 Reasons for High Testosterone Levels in Women

When hormone levels rise high enough, it becomes more difficult to figure out what exactly triggered the process. This situation is completely different from low levels, where it is enough to “add what is missing” to reduce symptoms. Therefore, most doctors general practice confused when faced with rising hormone levels.

1. Insulin resistance

The connection between insulin resistance (or simply - high level blood sugar) and testosterone are HUGE (more on this connection - approx. website). Insulin can lower and raise testosterone levels. In men, the hormone usually lowers testosterone levels, but in women both occur. To determine the connection in your body, you need to donate blood for glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin along with total and free testosterone. If high levels of insulin are found along with high levels of free testosterone, insulin is the cause of hormonal imbalance.

Women with high testosterone levels combined with insulin resistance acquire (polycystic ovary syndrome). These patients have high levels of insulin, testosterone and estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This leads to moderate facial hair growth, but in some cases, hormonal imbalance also leads to darkening of the skin, belly fat and extreme mood swings. Typically, the worse your fasting insulin levels, the more severe your symptoms.

2. Estrogen dominance over progesterone

All hormones in our body interact with each other. Think of them as a web: you can't touch one thread without disturbing the others, and to change the entire web you only need to break one thread. This principle also applies to hormonal system. Hormones play together, so if one gets out of the program, it will lead to a failure in the others.

The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are particularly closely related. The exact mechanism of the connection between them is unknown, but they definitely affect testosterone levels. Take, for example, women with premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (severe form premenstrual syndrome - approx. website). These conditions are associated with estrogen dominance, and these same women have been found to have elevated levels of testosterone and DHEA. Compare them to menopausal women, when low estrogen levels couple with complete absence progesterone, and later testosterone levels in the blood decrease (but the mustache still begins to grow, again due to the mutual concentration of sex hormones - approx. website). One thing is clear: changes in the concentration of estrogen and progesterone affect the concentration of testosterone.

3. Low physical activity

Training is an additional help for your body to utilize excess testosterone. Although there is no direct link between physical activity and testosterone levels, exercise helps with excess insulin levels, which in turn lowers high testosterone levels. The mechanism is simple: low insulin is normal testosterone, high insulin is high testosterone. Physical activity lowers insulin levels, making your body's cells more sensitive to it.

In addition, physical activity helps to overcome the eternal companion of abnormal testosterone levels - excess weight.

4. Adrenal diseases (high DHEA levels)

Adrenal gland diseases are less common. Anything that causes the adrenal glands to overwork can lead to an increase in testosterone levels. To understand this, look at this diagram of how your body secretes testosterone:

It can be seen that the precursors of testosterone are DHAE, pregnenolone, progesterone and androstenedione. If there are more of them, then testosterone levels may also increase.

There are also a number of conditions that lead to increased production of DHEA and testosterone: severe stress and associated adrenal fatigue, excessive use of DHAE/pregnenolone/progesterone supplements and, again, insulin resistance. Therefore, checking the levels of DHAE in the blood and cortisol in 24-hour urine is good test when looking for causes of elevated testosterone levels. Remember that hormones do not work independently of each other.

5. High levels of the hormone leptin (leptin resistance)

Leptin creates conditions that make it difficult to lose weight. If you don't know what leptin resistance is, please read up on English language about how exactly it disables the utilization of excess weight.

In short, leptin resistance is a condition where you have too much leptin in your body and you gain weight, but your brain doesn't see it. Hunger reigns in the head, and the body swells with fat. Leptin not only regulates satiety, but is also part of the reward system.

Leptin, produced by fat cells, is involved in the regulation of appetite, metabolism, and tells the brain when fat needs to be stored and when it’s time to burn it. Guess what happens when leptin sensitivity decreases. Your brain stops receiving leptin's messages about satiety and begins to give the exact opposite commands: your metabolism slows down, you think you're hungry, and your body stops consuming stored calories.

And not only that: leptin controls the secretion of testosterone. The more leptin, the more it stimulates endocrine glands secrete testosterone. (This is where it is somewhat opaque; I could not find a single article confirming that leptin stimulates the secretion of steroids, rather the opposite; however, there is definitely a connection between leptin and testosterone, see my article - approx. website.)

High levels of leptin are also found in women suffering from insulin resistance (which in itself increases testosterone).

6. Obesity

Excess weight can increase testosterone levels on its own. Fat cells increase testosterone secretion by increasing the activity of the enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (type 5). Forget this long name: the main thing here is that fat increases testosterone on its own, and also by reducing the sensitivity of other tissues to insulin.

The moral of the story is that you need to lose weight in addition to all other treatments.

How to lower testosterone levels in women?

First you need to decide why your testosterone level in the blood is elevated. The goal is to cure the root cause. Below I will talk about ways to treat the six causes that I talked about earlier.

High insulin levels:

1. Add high-intensity exercise: increasing muscle mass increases tissue sensitivity to insulin.
2. Reduce carbohydrate intake (especially refined carbohydrates - sugar, bread, pasta, etc.), for example, as in the Nutritional Ketosis diet.
3. Consider taking T3 thyroid hormone to speed up metabolism and increase cell sensitivity to insulin (note that we are talking about T3, not T4, but only T4 is sold in Russia - approx. website).
4. Consider taking special medications that increase insulin sensitivity: SGLT-2 inhibitors, Metformin, GLP-1 agonists, alpha-amylase inhibitors.
5. Consider taking supplements: Berberine (1000-2000 mg/day), alpha lipoic acid (600-1200 mg/day), magnesium, chromium, PolyGlycopleX - all of these supplements can help lower blood sugar and insulin levels.

Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone:

1. Make sure your thyroid functions normally: hypothyroidism causes estrogen to dominate over progesterone.
2. Make sure that the metabolism of estrogen in your body is optimal, liver function and proper nutrition are important for this.
3. During menopause, consider taking bioidentical hormones (a mixture of progesterone and estradiol/estriol).
4. Consider supplements to support estrogen metabolism: vitamin B12 (sublingual 5000 mcg/day), 5-MTHF, DIM or Indole-3-carbinol, milk thistle, sulfur in the form of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), bio-identical progesterone (20-40 mg transdermally on days 14-28 of the cycle).

Adrenal problems:

1. Increase your salt intake (Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt).
2. Learn to work with stress and switch from negativity (yoga, meditation, hiking etc.)
3. Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption.
4. Reduce consumption of amphetamine-based stimulant medications (adderall, concerta, phentermine, etc.)
5. Sleep at least 8 hours a day; exclude nap to avoid problems falling asleep at night; Do not overeat at night, so that excess energy does not occur at the time before bed.
6. Consider taking the following dietary supplements: adaptogens for the adrenal glands, adrenal hormones, vitamins B6 and C. If you have problems falling asleep, melatonin.

Excess leptin:

1. Consider intermittent fasting (meaning skipping some scheduled meals every few days and fasting days - approx. website)
2. Reduce carbohydrate intake, including fructose.
3. Compensate for hypothyroidism and treat insulin resistance, against which restoration of sensitivity to leptin is unlikely.
4. Add high-intensity loads.
5. Consider Admission special drugs to increase sensitivity to lepin: Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon or Symlin. In my experience, overcoming leptin resistance without medication is very difficult. At correct use they can significantly adjust weight and hormones in the blood.
6. Consider taking dietary supplements: fish oil, zinc, leucine and supplements recommended for insulin resistance. There are no specialized supplements that help with excess leptin.

Conclusion

Decrease high concentration testosterone in the blood is possible, but to do this you need to find the root cause of the failure. If this cause can be correctly diagnosed and treated, the symptoms will decrease rapidly.

Typically, high testosterone levels are associated with one or more of the following reasons: insulin or leptin resistance, problems in the mutual concentration of estrogen and progesterone, adrenal disease, unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

If you're serious about addressing your high testosterone problem, find a doctor who understands how the hormones relate to each other and is willing to devote the time to get to the bottom of the cause.

Despite the fact that testosterone is a male hormone, it is also present in the female body. The amount of testosterone determines the sexual activity of the fairer sex, their appearance and mood.

The level of testosterone in the female body is not constant. In the morning it is at its peak, and in the evening it gradually decreases. The testosterone level in the female half of humanity ranges from 0.40 to 3.75 nmol/l. However, often women are diagnosed with an increase in this hormone, and this has certain consequences that force the woman to look for various ways lowering testosterone levels.

Testosterone synthesis is provided by the ovaries and adrenal glands; in addition, it is synthesized in small quantities by the skin and placenta during pregnancy. The change in hormone concentration occurs due to the functionality of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. In the female body, the male hormone performs the following functions:

• responsible for the functionality of the reproductive system;
• forms an egg;
• increase muscle mass;
• provides the necessary bone density;
• regulates the functioning of the sebaceous glands;
• controls protein, phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism;
• reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies;
• increases endurance and stress resistance;
• participates in water metabolism;
• controls sugar levels.

If the level of testosterone in a woman’s body fails, serious pathological processes. Symptoms of fluctuations in hormonal levels vary depending on which direction the change occurs.

Causes of excess testosterone

Hormone levels may increase after exercise physical work- This normal phenomenon, but a pathological increase in the concentration of the male hormone can cause disturbances in the formation of the egg. In this case, hyperandrogenism develops. This disease may be of ovarian or adrenal origin. The reasons for the increase in hormones may lie in the following:

• adrenal hyperplasia;
• a certain phase of the cycle;
• period of bearing a child;
• taking certain medications;
• poor nutrition.

Apart from pregnancy, all other reasons for increased testosterone require adjustment.

Symptoms of excess testosterone in women

It is impossible not to notice the symptoms of hyperandrogenism, so diagnosing the disease is not difficult:

• excessive sebum secretion;
• acne;
• male physique;
• increased hair growth on the face and chest;
• rough voice;
• disruptions in the menstrual cycle;
• aggressiveness;
• clitoral enlargement.

The long course of the disease leads to the fact that the functionality of the ovaries is irreversibly impaired, which provokes persistent infertility.

Causes of testosterone deficiency

A lack of this hormone in a woman’s body can cause osteoporosis, diabetes, breast tumors, heart disease, inflammatory processes in the endometrium. The causes of low testosterone levels can be internal and external.

Endogenous (internal) reasons are as follows:

• pituitary and endocrine diseases;
• genetic predisposition;
• tumor processes in the ovaries;
• changes associated with age;
• autoimmune pathologies.

Exogenous (external) causes are as follows:

• there is too much magnesium and zinc in the diet;
• lack of balance in nutrition;
• eating large amounts of carbohydrate foods;
• excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• long-term use of oral contraceptives and some other medications;
• excess weight;
• too little or too much activity;
• insufficient sunbathing;
• lack of intimate relationships.

Symptoms of low testosterone

If a woman reduced level of this hormone, the symptoms will be as follows:

• dry skin, brittle nails and hair;
• excessive fullness in the abdomen, arms and neck;
• depressive states;
• quiet voice;
• lack of libido;
• tachycardia;
• sweating;
• infertility;
• sleep problems;
• decreased concentration.

Principles of treatment

Normalize hormonal levels possible using medications or by means traditional medicine. It is very important to pay attention to nutrition during treatment. The fact is that there are products that can affect the concentration of testosterone in the blood of a woman or girl.

I must say that any medications, which can reduce or increase testosterone levels, are not recommended to be taken on their own; they can only be prescribed by the attending physician based on test results.

In some cases it is necessary surgical intervention– with neoplasms in the pituitary gland, for example.

As for products for reducing testosterone in women, they are as follows:

1. Soybean and its products. Soy contains a large number of isoflavones, which significantly reduce testosterone levels. In addition, soy and its products contain daidzein, which, when digested, is converted into an antiandrogen.
2. Legumes. They contain substances (phytoestrogens) that suppress the synthesis of male hormones.
3. Dairy products. Since milk-producing animals consume large amounts of grass, dairy products contain many phytohormones.
4. Sesame and flaxseed. Testosterone levels are well reduced by lignan, which these products are rich in.
5. Vegetable oils. Corn and flaxseed oil have a greater antiandrogenic and anti-aging effect.

What other foods reduce testosterone in women? There are actually quite a few of them:

• apricots;
• dates;
• sweet apples;
• broccoli;
• cauliflower;
• wheat;
• oats;
• lentils;
• beer;
• coffee and so on.

Therefore, with elevated testosterone, women are advised to adhere to a special diet.

Dietary rules for high testosterone

The diet must be discussed with your doctor, since a balanced diet is necessary for the health of the body.

Dietary nutrition should include following products, which can significantly reduce the concentration of the male hormone:

1. Honey, jam, sweet fruits. Any sugars that increase insulin production are indicated for elevated testosterone. This is due to the fact that insulin has a detrimental effect on this hormone, and at the same time increases the synthesis of estrogen.
2. Dried fruits. Dried fruits contain a large amount of fructose, magnesium, potassium, vitamins and amino acids; all these substances and microelements are indicated for use to reduce testosterone in women.
3. Oats. Oatmeal significantly slows down the production of testosterone, and in addition, stimulates this hormone to convert into estrogen. It is advisable to cook the porridge in water, and then ready dish add milk, honey and dried fruits.
4. Medicinal herbs, lowering testosterone concentrations. Mint works best with this. It can be added to salads, soups or brewed with tea.

It is important to understand that all testosterone reduction methods must be mandatory discuss with your doctor. It is very important to determine the cause of high hormone levels and eliminate it. To stabilize hormonal levels, you need to treat the disease, and not just eliminate the symptoms.

The hormonal system is a complex and extremely sensitive mechanism to any changes, which must be adjusted carefully and under constant medical supervision. However, if you consult a competent specialist in a timely manner and strictly adhere to his recommendations, it is quite possible to normalize hormonal levels.