Testosterone is considered a typical male hormone. However, it is produced in the female body, being the precursor of estrogens, it is just 10 times less.
Functions of testosterone in the female body
- growth and formation of muscle fibers, bone tissue;
- regulation of the balance of the ratio of muscle and adipose tissue;
- sexual attraction;
- regulation of sebaceous gland function;
- growth of hair follicles;
- is involved in the process of forming ovarian follicles as a precursor of estrogens.
Signs of increased testosterone in women
- hair growth at untypical for women places - legs, face, back and phalanges of fingers;
- on the head hair can grow less intensively until bald;
- increased activity of sebaceous glands leads to acne eruptions;
- increased muscle tissue growth and a gradual decrease in body fat lead to a change in male pattern;
- formation of the follicle is violated and the possibility of conception is reduced, infertility is developing;
- in cases of a significant increase in this hormone, the menstrual cycle changes, up to amenorrhea( absence of menstruation).
Normally, the testosterone content rises during pregnancy. It is also normal to naturally increase the level of this hormone in women after 40 years and older. During the menopause, almost all women have an increased level of testosterone in their blood.
Causes of increased testosterone in women
In women younger than 40 years, an increase in testosterone levels may develop due to a number of diseases: hormone increases with reducing adrenal, pituitary or ovarian tumors .There is a genetic predisposition to an elevated level of this hormone. However, more common functional reasons:
- long-term use of hormonal contraceptives;
- stress;
- hobby for sun tanning;
- excessive consumption of foods with increased content of artificial sugar;
- weight training with simultaneous acceptance of anabolic, as well as professional sports( weightlifting).
Often, an elevated level of testosterone occurs in neurological patients taking barbiturates, or in patients with arterial hypertension who are on treatment with clomiphene.
How to reduce testosterone in a woman
Before lowering the level of this hormone, it is necessary to find out the cause of the hormonal failure of the body. For this purpose, blood testosterone is determined on day 7 of the cycle and examination by an endocrinologist. If necessary, additional studies are performed to determine the condition of the ovaries, pituitary gland and adrenal glands( ultrasound, MRI).If the presence of hormone-producing tumors is not confirmed, the hormone is reduced by medications or folk methods.
First of all, they put in order the diet and correct the composition of the consumed products:
- With increased testosterone, women are recommended to use protein foods( meat, fish, chicken).
- In the food ration necessarily include dairy products( cottage cheese, fatty milk, cream).
- It is better to refuse vegetarian food.
- Do not allow long breaks between meals, as reducing glucose and, accordingly, insulin in the blood increases the production of testosterone. The optimal break is 3-4 hours.
- A number of products contain free testosterone - eggs, legumes, garlic, hazelnuts and almonds. They need to be excluded from the diet.
- Sweet foods should definitely be present in the diet, but such that contain natural sugars( fructose).It dates, sweet fruit, honey.
- Lowers the level of testosterone in women with low-molecular sugars - potatoes, white bread, cereals( especially oatmeal).The use of natural sugars stimulates the production of estrogens and insulin.
The normal content of these hormones leads to a natural decrease in testosterone in women.
Folk remedies for reducing testosterone in women
After adjusting the diet and diet, you can begin to adjust the testosterone level with folk remedies:
- Freshly squeezed celery juice and carrots. Accepted on an empty stomach, a glass a day. Juices are best alternated, for example, one day - celery, the second day - carrot juice. It should be borne in mind that prolonged intake of carrot juice can lead to jaundice of the skin and sclera, so it is better to take courses for no more than two weeks.
- Tea with licorice root. A pinch of crushed licorice root is added to regular tea before bed.
- Infusion of flax seeds. A tablespoon of flax seeds is poured into half a glass of boiling water. Infusion is taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Peppermint infusion. A tablespoon of dry herbs pour a glass of boiling water and stand for 20 minutes. A day is recommended to drink no more than two glasses of this infusion, since mint has a sedative effect.
- Oatmeal. Natural oat grains( not finished processed flakes) should be filled with a glass of cold water and left overnight for swelling. Then cook over low heat, for one and a half hours, periodically pouring water. After this, it is necessary to strain the oats, wipe it through a sieve, add the rubbed mass to the broth and mix. This jelly can be consumed three glasses a day.
In addition to folk remedies, yoga and acupuncture are recommended for women to reduce testosterone levels. If the effect of non-drug therapy is not achieved - hormone treatment is indicated.
