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Study finds no increased risk of gynecological cancer with testosterone use after five years

Female Sexual Dysfunction: Common Questions and Answers

It’s possible for a woman’s testosterone production to be too high or too low. And because testosterone is a key hormone in the body—in women and men alike—abnormal testosterone levels can have quite an impact on the health and well-being of a pre-or post-menopausal woman. Doctors typically review medical history that provides important context about potential hormonal imbalance.

There are various conditions that cause fluctuations in female hormone levels. Some of the leading causes of high testosterone levels in women are polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), thyroid problems, and insulin resistance. Estrogen is often called the female sex hormone, as it plays an important role in the female reproductive system. Likewise, testosterone is referred to as the male sex hormone for the roles it plays in male sexual development and function. It’s true that women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) have much higher levels of estrogen, but they have some testosterone, too. Interestingly, a recent study by Stülb et al. investigating acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice highlighted that IL-22, a key cytokine in liver regeneration, is produced at higher levels in female mice compared with males. Furthermore, they demonstrated that testosterone reduced IL-22 production in female, but not male, splenocytes (43).

ARfl/fl (B6.129S1-Artm2.1Reb/J) were obtained from The Jackson Laboratory and LckCre mice [B6.Cg-Tg(Lck-icre)3779Nik/J] were provided by Samuel Huber (UKE). ARfl/fl LckCre mice were generated by crossbreeding, and Cre-WT littermates were used as controls. The average age of respondents was 29.85 years, regarded as the productive age group. As far as the average of weight of study participants was concerned, the average was 57.95 kg. Average height was recorded at 159.95, followed by an average BMI of 22.65, which was within the normal BMI range (Fig. 3). Half (50%) of the participants were bachelor’s degree holders, and 12.5% had completed their PhD in different disciplines.

When a patient of mine decides to stop taking testosterone, it is rarely because of side effects and almost always because it simply isn’t working for her. Unlike with estrogen, for which blood levels are rarely required, testosterone therapy requires being tested to make sure yours is in the right range. These days you can hardly turn on the TV without seeing an ad directed at men suffering from “low T.” But it’s not just guys who are looking to boost their testosterone levels; many postmenopausal women are jumping on the bandwagon as well. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men. And just as happens for men, women’s testosterone levels drop as they age. Testosterone levels naturally begin to drop once it peaks in your 30s.

If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a decrease in hormone levels and subsequent menstruation, initiating a new cycle5. During and after female testosterone therapy for decreased libido, it is important to continue to monitor blood levels in individuals. Excess testosterone levels in women can cause a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by hirsutism, acne, male patterned baldness, deepening voice, and increased muscle bulk. This condition usually starts in adolescence and gradually progresses throughout reproductive years with severity depending upon various factors.

With better understanding, better care, and a stronger voice for women’s health, we can ensure that hormonal symptoms are taken seriously – and treated with the urgency and compassion they deserve. And yet, hormonal health is still too often treated as an afterthought. Many women describe years of feeling dismissed by doctors, told to “come back if you want to get pregnant”, or offered little more than the contraceptive pill. On average, women with PCOS wait over two years and consult several different healthcare professionals before receiving a diagnosis.

Testosterone also works together with other hormones like estrogen to keep the ovaries functioning properly. Having the right balance of these hormones is important for overall health. However, testosterone levels also naturally decrease as we age, so there isn’t always an underlying concern. However, when female bodies produce an excess amount of testosterone or other androgens, their bodies can women use testosterone’t keep up with converting it to estrogen.

Your health care provider may further recommend an ultrasound to check your ovaries and uterus if they suspect PCOS. If a person is suspected of having an adrenal pathology, they need to be evaluated with either computerized tomography (CT) or MRI. PCOS is an endocrine condition that affects 1 in 10 people with ovaries worldwide. PCOS interferes with the menstrual cycle and makes it difficult to get pregnant. You can have a blood test at your GP but an at home finger prick test is also an option.