6 signs of high testosterone in women

When we think of testosterone, most people think of it as a 'masculine hormone' but the fact is that the ovaries produce both, estrogen and testosterone. Small quantities of testosterone are released in the bloodstream. However, in some women, the levels of this particular hormone increases mainly due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), among other causes like adrenal gland disorders. Dr Y S Nandanwar, head of the gynaecology department at Sion hospital, Mumbai, says these are the six common signs that your body has been producing higher levels of testosterone.

Hirsutism: This means abnormal growth of hair on your face and body. The most common areas are your chin, cheeks, upper lip, chest, back and even your legs.

Acne: While it is normal to have acne breakouts every now and then, in this case, women tend to suffer from severe and persistent acne that don't get treated easily with medicines.

Weight gain: If you have high levels of testosterone, you will also suffer from sudden weight gain and have intense food cravings either for salty or sugary foods.

Irregular periods: If the cause of high testosterone levels is PCOS, your periods will become very irregular.

Hair loss: If you start losing hair and notice that your hair has started thinning, it could also be a sign of high testosterone levels.

Enlarged clitoris: The size of your clitoris may increase. This is usually due to a tumour in the adrenal gland or your ovaries. This can be treated with timely diagnosis and medication.

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