Found only in the blood of men. However, it is not. It is also contained in female body. Deviation from the norm of testosterone in women entails Negative consequences, including for reproductive function. The reasons for the decrease and increase in hormone levels are different. Let's talk about this in more detail later.

Most people believe that testosterone is only found in the blood of men.

Testosterone levels in women are normal

The concentration of the hormone in the blood of women varies depending on external and internal influences. The level varies depending on the time of day (in the morning the level is higher, in the evening – lower), age and phase of the menstrual cycle.

During pregnancy, hormonal levels increase and by the third trimester its value becomes 3-4 times higher than normal.

Testosterone can be found either in a protein-bound state or in a free state. The bound hormone is not metabolized and forms a pool (reserve). Its minimum concentration is observed in girls before puberty (0.05-1.8 pg/ml), the maximum is in puberty(4.1 pg/ml). The amount of free testosterone in women is about 2%.

When calculating hormone levels, both values ​​are taken into account, since changes in the level and ratio of bound and unbound testosterone make it possible to determine correct diagnosis.

Testosterone in a woman’s body: functions

A change in the level of the hormone in question indicates the presence of a serious pathology in a woman’s body

What is testosterone responsible for in women? For what functions of the female body is it needed?

The androgenic group hormone in question is produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries. Smaller amounts are produced by the placenta and skin. The concentration of the hormone changes due to the work of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Testosterone in the female body is necessary for the following functions:

1. Formation of the egg in the ovaries.
2. Proper functioning of the reproductive system.
3. Increases muscle mass.
4. Formation of sufficient density bone tissue.
5. Regulating the amount of adipose tissue and work sebaceous glands.
6. Development of sexual desire.
7. Regulation of protein, phosphorus, nitrogen, lipoprotein metabolism.
8. Reducing the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases.
9. Endurance.
10. Resistance to stress.
11. Proper water exchange.
12. Blood sugar control.

How does abnormal testosterone manifest itself in women?

A change in the level of the hormone in question indicates the presence of a serious pathology in a woman’s body. Fluctuations in testosterone concentration are expressed various symptoms, if present, you should immediately visit a doctor and donate blood for hormones.

Excess hormone: causes, symptoms

Normally, the concentration increases after physical work. A pathological excess of testosterone in women threatens to disrupt the formation of the egg. This pathology has a name: “Hyperandrogenism.” Based on its origin, the disease is divided into ovarian and adrenal. The causes of the pathology may be the following:

• neoplasm in the ovaries;
• ovulatory phase of the cycle;
• adrenal hyperplasia;
• poor nutrition;
• heredity;
• pregnancy;
• reception medicines.

All of the above conditions, with the exception of pregnancy, require testing and treatment.

Pathological excess of testosterone in women threatens to disrupt the formation of the egg

Diagnosing hyperandrogenism is not difficult. The symptoms are as follows:

1. Increased sebum secretion.
2. The appearance of acne.
3. Violation menstrual cycle.
4. Body type by male type.
5. The appearance of hair on the face and chest.
6. Deepening of the voice.
7. Increased aggressiveness.
8. Enlargement of the clitoris.
9. Increased physical activity.

Prolonged hyperandrogenism leads to dysfunction of the ovaries and threatens infertility.

Low testosterone in women: causes, symptoms

This pathology can provoke serious illnesses: diabetes, osteoporosis, endometrial inflammation, breast tumors, heart and vascular diseases.

The causes of low testosterone in women can be both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external).

The causes of low testosterone in women can be both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external)

TO endogenous reasons relate:

• diseases of the adrenal glands, hypothalamus or pituitary gland;
• endocrine diseases;
• heredity;
• ovarian tumors;
• autoimmune pathology;
• age-related changes.

Exogenous causes include the following:

• eating food with high content magnesium or zinc;
• unbalanced or unhealthy diet;
• consumption of carbohydrates in large quantities;
• alcohol consumption;
• reception medicines(eg, contraceptives, antifungals, anticonvulsants);
• weight gain;
• high or low physical activity;
• insufficient sunbathing;
• insufficient sexual activity.

If a woman's testosterone is low, the following signs appear:

1. Brittle hair, nails, dryness skin.
2. Obesity in the abdomen, neck and arms.
3. Decreased voice strength.
4. Depression.
5. Lack of sexual desire.
6. Irritability, tearfulness.
7. Decreased bone density.
8. Infertility.
9. Tachycardia.
10. Sweating.
11. Losing weight.
12. Sleep disturbance.
13. Decreased memory and attention

Drug therapy can only be prescribed by a doctor after testing

Treatment can be medication or with traditional methods. Drug therapy can only be prescribed by a doctor after testing. Self-administration of hormonal drugs can lead to severe consequences. Hormonal therapy involves the prescription of drugs (for example, Yarina, Digitalis).

If the reason for the change in hormone levels lies in the tumor, then the issue of surgical removal is considered.

To reduce the concentration of the hormone, the diet should be adjusted. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates must be balanced, but you cannot limit yourself in food. The diet should include vegetables, meat, and seafood. Exercising will help reduce the concentration of androgenic hormone. Herbal medicine will also help in solving this problem: vitex, licorice root, black cohosh. These herbs lead hormonal balance back to normal.

To reduce the concentration of the hormone, you should adjust your diet

If hormonal levels are low, it is recommended to eat chicken meat, nuts, olives and fish. These products contain a lot of zinc, which is necessary to get rid of the disease. Products must be of natural origin and should not contain hormones.

Losing body weight can also help increase testosterone levels in women. If there is no effect from the listed measures, this indicates the need to prescribe testosterone-containing drugs. Only a doctor can prescribe such hormonal therapy.

For successful treatment You must stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Almost all testosterone in a woman’s body is bound to proteins, only its small part is found freely in the blood. That's why do 2 types of tests to determine androgen levels:

• on total testosterone, which takes into account free hormones, and protein-bound;
• for free.

Level female testosterone depends on age, time of day, day of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, physical activity, taking certain medications, lifestyle and some other factors. In the morning its amount increases, in the evening it decreases.

The hormone content decreases in old age and increases after physical exercise.

What value is considered normal?

How much testosterone should a woman normally have?

Testosterone levels may vary from laboratory to laboratory. On average, the rate of free testosterone in fertile women ranges from 0.45 nmol/l to 3.75 nmol/l.

Deviations from these values ​​(3-4 times) are observed during ovulation and pregnancy, in all other cases they may indicate the presence of pathologies of the endocrine system.

The rate of total testosterone ranges from 0.24 nmol/l to 2.7 nmol/l in women of fertile age, and during menopause it decreases.

Reasons for deviations

An increase in free testosterone levels can be observed in the presence of:

1. pregnancy and ovulation;
2. hereditary factors;
3. ovarian tumors;
4. due to poor nutrition;
5. due to taking anabolic steroids;
6. as a result of long hormone therapy or taking contraceptives;
7. chronic diseases;
8. abnormalities in the functioning of the adrenal glands.

With the onset of pregnancy, a placenta forms in a woman’s body. Its cells produce additional testosterone, as a result of which during this period the amount of total testosterone increases, which is the physiological norm. The most dangerous periods in this regard are the periods from 4 to 8 weeks of pregnancy and from 13 to 23. During these periods, testosterone increases as much as possible, which can provoke a miscarriage.

Made a very interesting discovery Filipino doctors. It turned out that not only in women, but also in men who become fathers, testosterone levels also decrease. The results of blood tests of 624 men studied showed that androgen levels in new fathers decreased over a period of 5 years. Men who care for children at least 3 hours a day have even less testosterone. So, according to research, caring for young children helps suppress the production of this hormone.

Modern psychologists are sounding the alarm that an increase in the level of male hormone in women is provoked by morality modern society. Women are increasingly working in leadership positions, are involved in politics and business, and are moving to more late dates birth of children. The result is physiological changes in the female body.

Level determination tests

To determine androgen levels, it is necessary to donate blood from a vein.(in some cases, saliva is tested). In a woman’s body, only 2% is free testosterone, 44% is associated with globulin (SHBG), 54% is associated with albumin and other proteins.

Laboratory studies take into account all testosterone conditions, because the ratio of hormone fractions at various pathologies and conditions changes and is informative during illness.

If there is a suspicion of a deviation from the norm, the doctor prescribes a test for total testosterone, and if a deviation is detected, a test for SHBG.

When analyzing the amount of free testosterone, its increased or reduced level if the general condition is normal, it also speaks of an imbalance.

Each hormonal laboratory uses various techniques. That's why Androgen level is determined in different units of measurement: ng/ml, ng/dl, nmol/l.

Sometimes situations arise when you have to compare data different analyzes in one patient, done in different places, and differing in units of measurement. For these purposes, special calculators have been developed for recalculating units of measurement.

Table of androgen indicators depending on age

The level of free testosterone varies depending on age. To make it easier to navigate the normal values, a special table has been compiled. What should the free androgen index be for the fair sex?

Normal androgen levels in girls:

• 10-14 years more than 0.98 nmol/g;
• 14-17 years within 0.36-1.54 nmol/g;
• 17-20 years within 0.49-1.70 nmol/g;
• over 20 years old 0.52-1.72 nmol/g.

Total testosterone does not depend on age and normally ranges from 0.26 to 1.3 ng/ml.

However, hormone levels change during fertile age and throughout the month. For women childbearing age its level is normal:

• acceptable values ​​– 0.45–3.75 nmol/l;
• average values ​​– 0.29-3.18 pg/ml;
• follicle formation phase (on days 1-7 of the cycle) – 0.45-3.17 pg/ml;
• ovulation phase – 0.46-2.48 pg/ml;
• at the end of the cycle – 0.29-1.73 pg/ml.

What are the dangers of a lack or excess of a hormone in the blood?

Free testosterone in amounts below normal is considered a pathology, since it leads to various diseases. It may indicate the following problems:

May develop renal failure. Women with androgen deficiency are often depressed, get tired easily, and suffer from excessive sweating, do not feel sexual attraction, their hair, skin, and nails suffer.

Excess androgen causes menstrual cycle disruptions, infertility, acne on the skin, craving for increased physical activity, and excessive sexual activity in women.

WITH low testosterone The female body cannot build muscle and burn fat.

Conclusion

To summarize, we can conclude that testosterone for women is very significant hormone. It is capable of greatly influencing the activities of all systems and individual organs. Ladies should never forget to monitor their hormone levels in order to avoid hormonal imbalances and more severe subsequent health problems.

Testosterone is an important male hormone. In the female body, the substance is produced in small quantities by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Despite its low concentration, free testosterone affects many processes. Fluctuations in the level of the hormone in the female body quickly cause internal disturbances and negatively affect the appearance.

How to recognize excess synthesis or lack of male hormone in women? How to eat properly to maintain hormonal balance? Do medications help restore levels of the important androgen? The answers are in the article.

general information

The male hormone is needed by the female body in small quantities: it is this substance that is transformed into active sex hormones - estrogens. In women, the amount of testosterone is 10 times lower than in men.

Production important hormone occurs in the adrenal cortex and ovaries. Testosterone is responsible for androgenization in females.

Meaning for women

Without the optimal amount of male hormone, many processes are disrupted. Deficiency or excess of testosterone negatively affects libido and reproductive function, well-being, performance, muscle condition, psycho-emotional and physical state. Characteristic changes in appearance also indicate increased or decreased levels of the male hormone.

On the page, read about the causes of hyperglycemia and the features of treatment of the disease.

Testosterone is elevated - symptoms:

• excessive hair growth on the face, arms, chest;
• a male body type appears, femininity disappears and fat layer on the hips, waist;
• the hair actively becomes oily, the hair often thins out;
• libido and sexual activity increase;
• endurance appears, the woman tolerates physical activity more easily;
• appears on the face, chest, back acne;
• increased dryness of the skin, possible cracking and itching of the upper layers of the epidermis;
• rudeness and causeless aggression appear;
• menstruation does not appear every month or is absent;
• develops tumor process in the ovaries or a serious disease - Cushing's syndrome.

Low testosterone in women - symptoms:

• muscle weakness;
• hair loss in various parts of the body;
• the voice becomes higher;
• tests show a decrease in bone density (osteoporosis develops), brittle nails appear;
• lack of satisfaction during sexual intercourse;
• rashes appear on the skin;
• even after rest, the woman feels that her body has not fully recovered;
• fat deposits appear against the background of a slower course of metabolic processes;
• sexual desire decreases.

How to increase hormone levels

Low level testosterone often indicates an enhanced, too active transformation of the male hormone into the female one - estrogen, the excess of which is just as harmful as the deficiency of an important regulator. Hence the decrease in free testosterone levels, overweight, fatigue that is impossible to cope with, cycle fluctuations and other problems.

How to increase testosterone? In most cases, to correct the values, a change in diet combined with moderate exercise is sufficient. Vegetarianism disrupts hormonal balance: plant proteins cannot completely replace useful material from animal products. Lack of energy over time necessarily affects the woman’s condition, the functioning of the hypothalamus, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, ovaries - organs in which hormones are produced. Be sure to move more, be outdoors, lead active image life.

Increase testosterone:

• vegetable oils, especially unrefined ones: corn, olive;
• white fish;
• foods with zinc: sunflower seeds, nuts, beef, turkey and chicken liver, poultry, seafood.

How to lower your scores

• consume porridge and potatoes daily to obtain natural sugars;
• oatmeal jelly is useful;
• receive complex carbohydrates, providing the body with energy for a long time. Replace baked goods and sugar with cookies based on whole grains, honey, fructose from vegetables and fruits, dates, dried fruits;
• be sure to get poultry meat, low-fat fermented milk products;
• dramatically reduce consumption of animals and unsaturated foods fatty acids, consume vegetable oils in moderation;
• Doctors recommend giving up foods that increase the production of free testosterone during treatment: eggs, hazelnuts, garlic, almonds, legumes;
• exclude coffee and alcohol or consume them very rarely;
• cream is healthy full fat milk and cottage cheese;
• vegetarianism during correction hormonal levels doctors do not approve.

Medicines (strictly as prescribed by the doctor):

• Digoxin.
• Cyproterone.
• Digitalis.
• Dexamethasone.

As prescribed by your endocrinologist, you can take a course of herbal decoctions:

• angelica;
• mixtures of Maryina root and the underground part of licorice;
• evening primrose;
• peppermint;
• flax seeds.

Good healing effect give following methods: acupuncture, yoga to restore balance in the body. If there is no noticeable result from non-drug therapy, then the doctor prescribes hormonal drugs testosterone.

Even small doses of testosterone are important for the female body. If signs appear indicating a deficiency or excess production of an important androgen, you need to visit a gynecologist and endocrinologist and get tested. If deviations are detected, you will need to adjust your diet, change your lifestyle, or give up bad habits. If testosterone levels fluctuate significantly, your doctor may prescribe hormonal medications.

Testosterone is a sex hormone traditionally considered male. Meanwhile he is playing important role and in preserving the health of the fair half of humanity. Testosterone is an androgen that is synthesized in both male and female bodies. He is responsible for puberty, fertility and sexual desire in both sexes.

In men, testosterone is synthesized mainly in the testes, in women - in the ovaries, although in significantly smaller quantities than in men. Testosterone has a significant impact on the formation of many traits, including:

• volume of muscle and bone mass,
• physical strength,
• body hair growth.

However, testosterone has a major impact on a woman's reproductive function, as well as her ability to feel sexual arousal. Testosterone synthesis increases until about 30 years of age, then it remains at the same level, and after 50 years of age its gradual decline begins.

In the human body, testosterone is present in 3 various forms. Most of the total testosterone is testosterone, which is combined with sex hormone-binding globulin. It accounts for about 70%. About 30% is testosterone bound to another protein - albumin. This is a weakly bound form of testosterone. Finally, about 1% or sometimes a little more is occupied by free testosterone, not bound to any proteins. The last two forms of testosterone are active or, as they say, bioavailable. It is the level of free testosterone that is measured during a testosterone blood test.

Normal level of testosterone in the blood. Explanation of the result (table)

A blood test for testosterone is most often performed in cases of delayed puberty or, conversely, in the case of too early puberty. Testosterone levels in men should be determined in the following cases:

• for infertility, decreased sexual desire and erectile dysfunction,
• upon the onset of andropause,
• for the diagnosis of hypogonadism,
• with the development of osteoporosis, especially in old age,
• in the presence of active acne.

For women, this test may be prescribed to find out the reasons

• infertility,
• amenorrhea or menstrual irregularities,
• hirsutism or excessive masculinity, including male pattern baldness and excessive low voice,
• severe acne.

A blood test for testosterone is also done on newborn children if they have ambiguous sexual characteristics. In this case this analysis is part of a comprehensive analysis of the levels of all sex hormones.

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually in the morning and on an empty stomach.

• men 18-69 years old: 250-1100 ng/dl,
• men 70 years and older: 90-890 ng/dL.

The level of testosterone in the blood of non-pregnant and pregnant women:

If testosterone is elevated, what does this mean?

Too high testosterone levels in men may indicate the following diseases:

• testicular tumors:
• testosterone-producing adrenal tumors
• early puberty of unknown etiology,
• in children and infants – congenital adrenal hyperplasia,
• syndrome of incomplete androgen resistance - Reifenstein syndrome,
• increased function thyroid gland – hyperthyroidism,
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome.

In addition, elevated testosterone levels in themselves pose a known problem and can lead to the following pathologies:

• severe acne - excess testosterone increases the activity of the sebaceous glands,
• heart and vascular diseases,
• liver diseases,
• aggressiveness and mood instability with sudden changes,
• baldness,
• sleep apnea. In turn, apnea often leads to increased blood pressure and sometimes causes a stroke,
• prostate cancer,
• infertility associated with a decrease in the number of active sperm.

In women, high testosterone levels may result from:

• ovarian tumors,
• adrenal tumors,
• polycystic ovary syndrome,
• Itsenko-Cushing syndrome,
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Symptoms of high testosterone levels in women are:

• irregular or completely absent menstruation,
• infertility,
• hair growth on the face and body,
• voice too low
• baldness,
• development of muscle mass according to the male type.

TO increased level Testosterone levels can be caused by taking certain medications, namely: anabolic steroids, valproic acid, barbiturates, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, estrogens and many others. Therefore, before taking the test, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications or biological active additives that you have taken in recent months.

An increase in testosterone levels is observed in women during pregnancy. But this is not a pathology and should not worry expectant mother– after childbirth, the hormone level quickly returns to normal.

If testosterone is low, what does this mean?

Low testosterone levels in men are called hypogonadism. This phenomenon has following symptoms:

• reduction in the amount of hair on the body and face,
• decrease in muscle mass,
• decreased libido,
• erectile disfunction,
• increase mammary glands– gynecomastia,
• obesity.

Low testosterone levels in men may cause following reasons:

• delayed puberty,
• testicular damage due to mumps, trauma or alcoholism,
• diseases of the hypothalamus,
• diseases of the pituitary gland, including - benign tumors,
• some genetic diseases, in particular myotonic dystrophy, Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome.

If the level of testosterone in the blood decreases in older men, this can lead to the risk of developing osteoporosis.

As for women, a decrease in testosterone levels is not of clinical interest and is not used for diagnosis.

Testosterone is an androgen (a steroidal male sex hormone) that is produced in small quantities in a woman’s body. It takes part in the regulation of metabolism and affects reproductive function.

Physiological changes in testosterone concentration are observed during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Pathological reasons hormonal imbalance are severe lesions organs and systems, diseases endocrine glands, tumor formations.

Testosterone in women is normal

Testosterone synthesis scheme

In women, the production of the hormone occurs from cholesterol in the ovaries, adrenal glands, adipose tissue, and brain. In the blood, most of it circulates in connection with transport proteins - albumin and globulin, which binds sex hormones (SHBG - sex hormone-binding globulin). A small amount of androgen is in free form and can carry out biological effect. On the periphery, testosterone produces its metabolites - dihydrotestosterone and estradiol.

The level of the hormone in girls increases shortly before puberty. By increasing its secretion in the adrenal glands, growth increases, pubic hair and hair appear. armpits, start working sebaceous glands. After becoming menstrual function androgens are responsible for regulating monthly cycle, as well as for the formation of bone tissue, the synthesis of lipoproteins, red blood cells, insulin, growth factors, endorphins. A decrease in hormone concentration occurs after menopause.

Testosterone has an anabolic effect - it promotes protein formation and increases muscle mass. It influences mental processes, sexual behavior and sexual desire.

The production of androgens in the ovaries is regulated by pituitary gonadotropins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone of the hypothalamus. The synthesis of testosterone in the adrenal glands is under the control of corticotropin and corticoliberin.

Hormone levels are examined in venous blood, the collection of which is carried out no later than 9 am. As a rule, total testosterone and the globulin that binds it are determined, and the concentration of the active fraction is calculated using special formulas. They also calculate the free androgen index (ISA), which is the ratio overall indicator and transport protein as a percentage.

Table of the norm of total testosterone in women by age:

Reference indicators of SHBG and ISA in women:

Formula for calculating ISA: total testosterone/SHBG *100%.

Changes in testosterone levels

Changes in testosterone concentration occur at different endocrine pathologies, serious illnesses other body systems, overweight, taking medications.

When hormone synthesis increases or increases active form Women develop male sexual characteristics. Hidden imbalance is manifested by a violation of the monthly cycle, miscarriage, and infertility. Androgen deficiency leads to decreased libido, increased fatigue.

Causes of high rates and treatment

Excess male hormones in the female body it manifests itself as symptoms of hyperandrogenism. This condition is characterized by a violation reproductive function, growth of a beard and mustache, the appearance of coarse hair on the stomach, chest, buttocks. Acne and acne, seborrhea of ​​the scalp develop. Libido increases, aggressive behavior is possible.

Free testosterone increases due to insufficient content transport globulin. This occurs with obesity, excess insulin, hypothyroidism, fasting, severe kidney disease, acromegaly, high level prolactin and glucocorticoids.

Normally, hormone synthesis increases in pregnant women. TO pathological reasons hyperandrogenism includes:

• damage to the adrenal glands - Itsenko-Cushing's disease or syndrome, tumors, congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
• excess body weight;
• metabolic syndrome;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• ovarian tumors that produce androgens.

In the presence of volumetric formations carry them out surgical removal. For obesity and metabolic syndrome for the purpose of weight correction they use a diet, physical exercise, medications- Orlistat, Reduxin, Saxenda. To lower hormone levels in polycystic ovary syndrome, in addition to lifestyle changes, metformin and oral contraceptives are prescribed.

Congenital adrenal dysfunction is characterized by increased production of adrenal androgens. In order to reduce them, glucocorticoid drugs are prescribed - metipred, dexamethasone.