Excessive production of androgens from the ovaries in the female body means increased levels of testosterone in the blood and the subsequent male characteristics that may appear on her.

This disorder usually occurs as a result of health problems in the ovary such as polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian tumors, and some pituitary gland disorders such as Cushing’s disease, as well as adrenal gland tumors.

Symptoms of High Androgens in Females include acne, small breast size, absence of menstruation, and the appearance of thick hair in areas where hair does not usually appear in women such as the face and abdomen, a rough voice, increased muscle mass, and other changes that we will explain in detail in the following paragraphs.

Recognizing Elevated Androgen Levels in Women

Symptoms of high androgens in females include:

• Acne: Acne, if severe, may indicate increased levels of androgens in the female body.
• Hirsutism: Increased hair growth in male-patterned areas such as the face, chin, chest, and abdomen.
• Male pattern baldness: Hair loss and baldness in a male pattern.
• Menstrual disorders: Lack of menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
• Clitoral enlargement: It grows to lengths of up to 10 cm in some cases.
• Hoarseness of voice: A sign of high levels of androgens in the female body.
• Oily skin: May indicate high levels of androgens.
• Increased muscle mass: Smaller breasts and a change in body shape to become more masculine. (Medline Plus, 2024)

Physical and Emotional Effects of High Androgens

Symptoms of high androgens in females appear through physical and emotional effects that can be detailed as follows:

Physical effects:

• Acne.
• Oily skin.
• Hoarseness of voice.
• Menstrual disorders (amenorrhea).
• Increased hair growth in male areas such as the chin, chest and abdomen.
• Small breast size.
• Clitoral enlargement.
• Muscle mass growth and body shape changes.
• Male pattern baldness.
• Difficulty conceiving.

Emotional effects:

• Mood swings, anger and agitation.
• Aggression.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Social withdrawal.
• Low self-esteem. (Donbaloğlu, 2022)

Read Also: Low Estrogen Symptoms in Females

Common Signs of Androgen Imbalance in Females

The most common Symptoms of High Androgens in Females include:

• Acne due to androgens stimulating the sebaceous cells in the skin, making the skin oily and vulnerable to pimple-causing microbes.
• Coarse hair in areas not usually seen in women, such as the chin, chest, and abdomen, known as hirsutism.
• Androgenic alopecia, which means male-pattern baldness or hair loss.
• Increased muscle mass, changes in the distribution of body fat, and difficulty losing weight.
• Amenorrhea.
• Mental problems, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, and aggression.
• Small breasts.
• Dark marks on the skin of the neck, armpits, and under the breasts.

Causes of increased androgen in women

In normal cases, the ovaries and adrenal glands produce about 50% of the testosterone in the body.

When the ovaries are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome or tumors, this stimulates the production of more testosterone.

Adrenal gland tumors can also increase androgen production, as can Cushing’s disease, which affects the pituitary gland.

Diagnosis

The condition is diagnosed based on symptoms of high androgens in females by performing the following tests:

• 17-hydroxyprogesterone test.
• DHEA blood test.
• ACTH stimulation test.
• Prolactin tes.
• Testosterone test.
• TSH test.
• Insulin test.
• Glucose test.
• Pelvic ultrasound.
• CT scan.

Treatment

The treatment of high levels of androgen in women depends on the causes of the problem. Surgical treatment may be the solution to remove ovarian tumors or adrenal gland tumors.

Medications may also be prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle or treat hair loss.

Read Also: High Estrogen Symptoms in Females

References

Donbaloğlu, Z. (2022). PubMed. Retrieved from Hyperandrogenism correlates with psychological symptoms in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8981047/

Medline Plus. (2024). Retrieved from Ovarian overproduction of androgens: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001165.htm