Causes of High Testosterone Levels

A high testosterone level is a condition which women can experience towards a mature stage of their lives. Testosterone is primarily a male hormone that gives men their physical characteristics. For this reason, large quantities of this hormone in the female body can cause a number of complications. If women have high testosterone levels, it is said to be an indication of a hormonal disorder. Because a high testosterone level in women can cause a number of conditions and diseases, it is important that women recognize what the causes could be.

The causes of a high testosterone level in women vary from the natural processes of menopause to induced reasons. Such causes of increase testosterone levels may occur from the use of certain medications. Other causes for a high testosterone level may revolve around diseases and rare disorders which women can contract.

Natural Cause for High Testosterone Level

Hormonal Imbalances: The natural cause for a high testosterone level in women is primarily the onset of a hormonal imbalance. As women age their bodies lose the ability to produce a sufficient quantity of the hormones that keep their bodies fit and healthy. When estrogen production decreases as a direct result of menopause, testosterone production increases. A hormonal imbalance can start in premenopause, often from the age of 30 onwards.

Induced Causes for High Testosterone Levels

Medications: Steroid abuse has been known to increase the testosterone levels in women. Other medications used to treat epilepsy, such as Phenytoin has also been known to raise testosterone levels.

Other Causes for High Testosterone Levels

There are a number of diseases that have been known to increase testosterone levels.

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: This condition can affect women at any age, having an impact on hormonal levels, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

• Diabetes: It also increases women´s testosterone levels.

On the other hand, there are less frequent health conditions that cause high testosterone levels. These include:

• Adrenal neoplasm disorders.
• Cushings.
• Dwarfism.
• Multiple endocrine neoplasm 1 and 2.
• Androgen-producing adrenal or ovarian tumor.
• Acromegaly.
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
• Thyroid disorders.

As could be concluded from the lists above, the causes for high testosterone levels are numerous and important if a woman is to maintain a healthy testosterone level. While some of these natural and disease related conditions are unpreventable, care can be taken with the use of medications that can also cause a rise in testosterone levels.

Now that the causes of high testosterone levels have been explained, continue reading to learn about the symptoms of high testosterone levels.

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