High Testerone in Women

High testosterone in women can be caused by disease in the adrenal glands or ovaries, tumors in the pituitary gland or use of hormone therapies or anabolic steroids. Women with high testosterone levels may develop characteristics usually associated with men and may be at increased risk of diseases more common in men such as heart disease before menopause. Treatments for high testosterone in women can reduce or prevent negative health effects.

Personality Changes

• High testosterone in women can cause personality changes such as increased aggression and sex drive which are usually typical of male personalities.

Acne

• Stimulation of the sebaceous glands of the skin that make oil can clog pores, resulting in acne.

Voice

• According to the Mayo Clinic, women with high levels of testosterone may experience a deepening of their voice similar to the sound of adult male voices.

Hirsutism

• Hirsutism is the excessive growth of hair. Women with high testosterone may experience this on the face, chest, underarms, legs and pubic region.

Virilization

• Virilization is a general masculinizing of the body. High testosterone in women may result in increased muscle size, loss of fat from the hips and breasts and enlargement of the clitoris.

Heart Disease

• Testosterone can increase high cholesterol, cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack at younger ages than normally experienced by women.

PCOS

• High levels of testosterone in women may cause polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which may result in pain, irregular periods and infertility.