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Yes, women produce testosterone. The male sex hormone is not just for men but plays a critical role in maintaining female health as well. Testosterone is part of a class of hormones called androgens. In women, it is produced in the ovaries and small quantities of 15 to 70 ng/dL are released into the bloodstream. In comparison, men produce between 300 to 1,100 ng/dL.
Hormone levels tend to change over the course of a lifetime. In women, testosterone levels will usually decline gradually as they age. Between the ages of 20 to 45 years, there can be a gradual decline of 50% or more. Low testosterone levels in women are classified as less than 20-25ng/dL depending on age.
Female androgen insufficiency syndrome is a known condition whereby testosterone decreases but estrogen levels remain stable. Symptoms of low testosterone in women include:
Causes for a decline in testosterone include menopause, adrenal insufficiency, genetics, and estrogen therapy.
Your doctor will usually take a blood sample to measure testosterone, but results are not always reliable because levels of the hormone tend to fluctuate.
High testosterone in women are levels above the natural upper limit of 70 ng/dL. Symptoms include:
Causes of elevated testosterone in women include polycystic ovary syndrome which can also cause hirsutism (excessive growth of facial or body hair). Women with hirsutism will usually have testosterone levels which are twice as high as the normal range. A study of over 500 women found that smoking was associated with higher levels of testosterone, largely due to a slowed metabolism.
To check for high testosterone, physicians will usually examine patients and take a blood test.
Both low and high testosterone can be treated in women.
For low testosterone, women are prescribed Estratest, which includes both testosterone and estrogen. Hormone patches and implants are also available, but their effectiveness is not well understood. Patients can purchase a supplement called DHEA which may boost natural testosterone production. DHEA is actually a precursor to testosterone.
If you have been diagnosed with high testosterone, the treatment options are a little more advanced. Prescription medications include creams that contain eflornithine. They are applied to areas of excessive hair growth. Oral contraceptives containing estrogen may be able to balance hormone levels. Doctors will also try to treat the underlying medical condition causing high testosterone.
Speak to your doctor if you feel you may be suffering from an excess or deficiency of testosterone.
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