Difference between revisions of "Lower Testosterone Levels"

While testosterone is typically seen as a "male" hormone, it's also present (albeit in much smaller amounts) in women. However, between 4-7% of American women produce too much testosterone in their ovaries, which usually leads to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome.<ref name="rf1">http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html</ref> Too much testosterone in women can lead to infertility due to lack of ovulation, as well as some embarrassing symptoms like acne, a deepening voice and facial hair growth. Reducing testosterone levels in women is often accomplished with medication, although dietary change can make a positive impact also.   

[[Category: Women’s Health]]

#Consult with your family physician. Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel that something is "out of whack" with your hormones. Blood tests can identify hormone imbalance. The classic signs of too much estrogen are hot flashes and emotional outbursts, but symptoms related to too much testosterone may be less noticeable and take more time to develop. Genetics and unknown environmental factors trigger certain glands (ovaries, pituitary and adrenal glands) to malfunction, leading to excessive testosterone production.<ref name="rf1" />

#*PCOS develops because the testosterone prevents the release of eggs from their follicles within the ovaries. Since the follicles can't open, eggs and fluid collects within the ovaries, forming what appears to be numerous cysts.<ref name="rf2">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/definition/con-20028841</ref>

#Get your diabetes under control. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by reduced cellular sensitivity to the effects of insulin.<ref name="rf3">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/basics/definition/con-20033091</ref> Type 2 diabetes is often triggered by obesity and results in an over-production of insulin, which can cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone. Thus, obesity, type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance), high testosterone production and PCOS often occur together within women if given enough time to develop. Your doctor can test your insulin and blood glucose levels to see if you have or are at risk of developing diabetes.

#*Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and even reversed<ref>https://www.diabetesriskalert.com/blog</ref> with weight loss, regular exercise and dietary changes (such as less processed carbohydrates and harmful hydrogenated fats).

#*When high insulin levels are coupled with high testosterone levels, there's an increased risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), blood cholesterol imbalance (too much "bad" LDL cholesterol) and cardiovascular disease.<ref name="rf1" />   

#*In one study it was found that 43% of PCOS patients suffer from metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is the co-occurrence of risk factors with diabetes. These risk factors include obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.<ref name="rf4">Apridonidze T, Essah PA, Iuorno MJ, Nestler JE. Prevalence and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90:1929.</ref>

#Talk to your doctor about birth control pills. Once PCOS develops from chronically high testosterone levels, there's an increased risk of uterine cancer if the menstrual cycle has stopped (in pre-menopausal women).<ref name="rf5">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/complications/con-20028841</ref> As such, it's important to "kick start" normal menstrual cycles to reduce cancer risks. This can be readily accomplished by supplementing with progesterone pills or by taking birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone on a regular basis. Remember that menstruating while on the pill will not restore your fertility (ability to get pregnant).

#*If you have PCOS, the benefits of taking birth control pills are clear, although ask your doctor to explain the potential negative side effects, such as reduced libido, mood changes, weight gain, headaches, breast tenderness and nausea.<ref name="rf6">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290196.php</ref>   

#*It usually takes about six months of birth control pill usage for women to notice changes in their symptoms related to high testosterone, such as less facial hair (particularly on the upper lip) and acne.<ref name="rf1" />

#Consider taking anti-androgen medication. Another option for women who have chronically high testosterone levels, particularly if they don't have diabetes and would prefer not to go on birth control pills, is anti-androgen medication. Androgens are a group of interrelated hormones, including testosterone, which are responsible for the development male characteristics.<ref name="rf7">https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001165.htm</ref> Commonly used anti-androgen drugs include spironolactone (Aldactone), leuprolide (Lupron, Viadur, Eligard), goserelin (Zoladex) and abarelix (Plenaxis). Your doctor might recommend experimenting with anti-androgen meds at low doses for six months to gauge effectiveness versus potential negative side effects.

#*In healthy women, ovaries and adrenal glands (which sit atop the kidneys) produce up to 50% of their testosterone.<ref name="rf7" />

#Eat more soy products. Soybeans are rich in phytoestrogenic compounds known as isoflavones (especially genistein and glycitein). These compounds mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, which can reduce the production of testosterone secondarily.<ref name="rf8">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074428/</ref> Soy also contains a compound called daidzein, which can be transformed in the large intestine by some people (the process needs certain "friendly" bacteria) into the highly anti-androgenic compound equol. Equol can directly reduce the production or effects of testosterone.

#Add more flaxseed to your diet. Flaxseeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids (which have an anti-inflammatory effect) and compounds called lignans, which are highly estrogenic (stimulates estrogen production). Lignans are also able to reduce total and free testosterone levels in your body, while suppressing the conversion of testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone.<ref name="rf9">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7490559/</ref> Remember that flaxseed needs to be ground up in order to be digested by people. Sprinkle ground flaxseed on your breakfast cereal and/or yogurt. You can also find whole grain breads with flaxseed added at most quality grocery stores.

#*Among commonly eaten foods, flaxseed is the richest source of lignans by far, with sesame seeds a distant second.<ref name="rf10">http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81</ref>

#Limit your fat consumption. Testosterone is a steroidal hormone that requires cholesterol to be produced. Cholesterol is only found in saturated fat from animal products (meat, cheese, butter, etc.). Some cholesterol is essential for making steroidal hormones and virtually all the body's cell membranes, but diets rich in saturated fat tend to trigger increased testosterone production.<ref name="rf11">http://jap.physiology.org/content/82/1/49</ref> Furthermore, diets high in monounsaturated fat (avocados, most nuts, olive oil, canola oil, safflower oil) boost testosterone levels also. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are the only fats associated with reduced testosterone levels.

#Avoid refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates are high in easily digested sugar (glucose), which spikes insulin levels and triggers the ovaries to produce more testosterone — similar process to type 2 diabetes, although short-term effects instead of long term.<ref name="rf12">http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/</ref> Thus, avoid refined carbohydrates (anything with high fructose corn syrup) and choose healthier carbs such as whole grain products, fresh berries and citrus fruits, fibrous veggies, leafy greens and legumes.

#Consider using herbal remedies. There are a number of herbs that can have anti-androgenic effects (based on various animal studies), although their direct effect on testosterone levels in women has not been well studied. Herbs most commonly used for their anti-androgenic properties include saw palmetto, chaste berries, black cohosh, licorice, spearmint and peppermint teas, and lavender oil.<ref name="rf13">http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/hirsutism</ref> Always consult with your doctor before taking any herb that has a reputation of being able to impact hormones.