Some women with high testosterone levels develop frontal balding. Other possible effects include acne, an enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, and deepening of voice. High levels of testosterone can also lead to infertility and are commonly seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
There are biological causes for increased testosterone in women. One such cause may be polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which the ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal.
Consider taking herbs. White peony, licorice, nettles, spearmint tea, reishi mushroom and others all have research to support testosterone - lowering effects and are commonly used in both PCOS and other cases of elevated testosterone in women.
Scientists have also observed a direct correlation between vitamin D and testosterone in women. In a recent cross-sectional study of women, researchers observed a positive, significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and total testosterone levels.
High testosterone in women may cause unwanted symptoms like excess hair, acne, infertility, weight gain, and more. The condition is often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Alterations of testosterone levels (higher levels in women) associated with increased BMI might represent one of the possible risk factors in the etiopathogenesis of anxiety.
According to researchers, both sex hormones tend to rise through the eight-week cycle, which is why most women experience mood swings and other effects throughout this period. Testosterone is at its highest somewhere mid-way through the cycle, and the jump is there to ensure mental health, fertility, and sex drive.
High testosterone affects sleep. Having high levels naturally has been linked to more shallow sleep and feeling more tired after sleep deprivation. Having high levels from testosterone replacement therapy or abusing steroids has been linked to reduced sleep time and sleep efficiency, and increased light sleep.
Evidence from multiple studies indicates that testosterone has anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, with the potential to promote improved mood and mental health in both men and women [10,13,14].
Because testosterone helps regulate your mood, “you can fall in one direction where your testosterone is too low, so you're irritable and cranky,” Dahl says. “You can also fall in the other direction, where your testosterone is too high and you're irritable and cranky.”
High testosterone in women can usually be treated with specific prescribed hormone medications. Oral contraceptives are sometimes also prescribed to treat and help block the production of excess testosterone.
Body fat has an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogens. When someone has higher estrogen levels in their body, their hormonal system tells the body to slow down its production of testosterone. Less testosterone tends to mean more belly fat.
When you build up strength by lifting weights or working out, the hormone testosterone (T) adds more muscle cells to your muscle mass. Dense muscles and high T levels stop your body from storing as much fat and help you burn calories efficiently.
Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been associated with reducing androgen levels in women with PCOS. A review of six clinical trials with 183 women with PCOS revealed that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced total testosterone levels.
Zinc reduces androgens (testosterone) and raises it. This depends on what the person needs. If you are a female with PCOS you may need zinc to reduce testosterone, whilst a male low in testosterone will benefit from zinc to bring testosterone back to healthy levels.
In clinical trials, magnesium raised both total and free testosterone in average men. Additionally, in a study conducted with athletes found that Magnesium combined with Zinc had even larger testosterone effects.
Bread, pastries, and desserts
A study in the journal Nutrients linked a diet high in bread, pastries, and other desserts to low total testosterone levels in Taiwanese men. Additional factors included high dairy consumption, eating out regularly, and not eating enough dark green vegetables.