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Reasons for Increased Testosterone in Women

There are several reasons for increased testosterone in women. For some, it is a side effect of another condition that affects the ovaries or the glands that produce hormones in the body. Other women voluntarily increase their testosterone levels with pills or injections in hopes of increasing muscle mass or sex drive.

  1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

    • The most common cause of increased testosterone levels in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This can cause an increase in facial hair growth and a tendency for fat to accumulate around the belly. PCOS can also affect fertility.

    Ovarian Cancer

    • Ovarian cancer affects the ability of the ovaries to produce estrogen and other female hormones and can lead to an increased production of male hormones, such as testosterone. This is a minor effect of ovarian cancer compared to the other risks associated with it, such as the spread of cancer to other organs or even death.

    Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

    • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a genetic condition that affects the body's ability to produce certain hormones. In girls, this can lead to an increase in male hormones, including testosterone. Left untreated, the condition will continue into adulthood and leads to increased testosterone. This condition is usually diagnosed in childhood and treatment continues throughout a woman's entire life.

    Obesity

    • For reasons that are largely unknown, obesity can increase the levels of testosterone in girls and women even though it appears to decrease the levels of testosterone in men. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2006, researchers found that young women who were obese had testosterone levels up to nine times those of young women of average weight.

    Medication

    • Some women elect to take drugs that increase their testosterone levels, in the hopes that it will help boost their sex drives or their muscle mass. This is a controversial therapy and the full impact of artificially increasing testosterone remains unknown, although in some women it can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. It can also have unpleasant side effects, such as unwanted facial hair.

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