By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: September 3, 2025 Categories: Menopause Testosterone
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
So what are the signs of high testosterone in women? Also known as hyperandrogenism, high testosterone in women can affect sexual, reproductive, and mental health.
It can change a woman’s physical appearance and lead to various symptoms, such as a deep voice, acne, irregular periods, and excess body or facial hair.
Elevated testosterone levels in women can happen because of multiple conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and hirsutism.
If you are experiencing high testosterone symptoms, visit your healthcare provider to find the underlying medical condition and treat it on time.
What are the signs of high testosterone in a woman?
Here is our list of 11 signs of high testosterone in women:
1) Infertility
Women with too much testosterone find it challenging to conceive. This hormonal imbalance contributes to ovulation failure (anovulation) and irregular or absent periods.
2) Irregular periods or lack of menstruation
High testosterone can interfere with pituitary gland hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production. Both these hormones are needed to trigger menstruation.
It also suppresses female sex hormone (progesterone and estrogen) production, disturbing the natural cycle and causing irregular periods.
3) Increased libido or sex drive
Testosterone, one of the key male sex hormones, impacts sexual desire in both men and women. Its elevated levels can increase your sex drive and sexual sensitivity.
However, this is not always the same. Some women with high testosterone may have normal or even low libido.
4) Acne
Hormonal acne is associated with the rise of testosterone. A high level of testosterone in the bloodstream can cause acne and oily skin. Hormonal birth control is the most recommended way to reduce these types of acne.
5) Increased muscle mass
Testosterone increases muscle protein formation and prevents muscle breakdown. That is why men naturally have a more muscular physique.
When a woman’s testosterone levels rise, she may notice a difference in muscle development and gain a more man-like physique.
6) Deepening of voice
Voice masculinization is another common sign of high testosterone in women. And unfortunately, this change is irreversible.
7) Balding
Some women may also experience male pattern baldness if their testosterone levels are abnormally high. They start losing hair at the temples and crown.
This effect is more prominent in women with genetic sensitivity.
8) Increased clitoris size
Like the penis, the clitoris is also rich in androgen receptors. As testosterone is an androgen hormone, its elevated levels can stimulate these receptors more than usual.
More stimulation means increased clitoris tissue growth, leading to clitoris enlargement – also known as clitoromegaly.
9) Reduction in breast size
You may also notice reduced breast size because of testosterone levels.
Testosterone can produce this effect in various ways. First, it can suppress estrogen levels which is required for breast tissue development. Second, it can reduce fat deposits in the breast, causing the breasts to lose their size.
10) Hormonal balances
One hormonal abnormality can disrupt levels of other hormones.
Hence, high testosterone levels also cause reproductive and metabolic hormone fluctuations.
They interfere with LH, FSH, estrogen, and progesterone synthesis. It can also indirectly affect thyroid hormones too.
11) Excess body hair growth
High testosterone can lead to excess hair growth in some body parts. These body parts include the face, back, abdomen and even the chest for some.
This occurs when the receptors on these body parts are sensitive to any higher amount of testosterone. This eventually stimulates the growth of thicker, darker hair faster than other parts of the body.
Why do some women have high testosterone?
Most diseases associated with hormonal disorders can cause hormonal changes in women. Some of the common causes of high testosterone levels in women include:
Hirsutism
It is a hormonal disorder in women that results in the growth of unwanted coarse, thick hair. In people with hirsutism, virilisation (development of male physical characteristics) is also common.
Mostly, home remedies are used to treat this excessive hair growth condition.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a syndrome that affects the production of the adrenal gland hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA.
Women with CAH have low cortisol levels and high testosterone.
Some of the symptoms of this disease include severe acne, growth of pubic hair at an early age, infertility, and masculine characteristics.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome is another endocrine disorder that causes the overproduction of androgen hormones in women.
Data reveals that 1 in 10 women in the UK have PCOS and most of them stay undiagnosed.
PCOS results in enlarged ovaries that contain multiple follicles which are mostly unable to release an egg. The enlarged ovaries in many cases do not function properly as required in the body.
Signs of PCOS are almost the same as signs of high testosterone.
Stress
Stress can trigger the adrenal glands’ functioning. It also leads to insulin resistance, hence increased cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) production. This leads to the production of testosterone in high quantities.
Alcohol consumption
High consumption of alcohol by women can trigger high levels of the testosterone hormone.
Insulin resistance
In the case of insulin resistance, the body’s tissues become resistant to insulin.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and its major role in the body is to control blood sugar. A high level of insulin causes the ovaries to produce excess testosterone.
This situation interferes with follicle development and can sometimes inhibit ovulation.
Adrenal tumor
Adrenal glands are small glands located on the top of the kidneys. They produce hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, immunity and more. They also secrete testosterone.
An adrenal tumor can disturb hormonal balance in the body and cause high testosterone.
Ovarian tumor
In women, the ovaries are one of the primary producers of testosterone. Hence, ovarian tumors can result in abnormal ovarian functioning and too much production of testosterone.
Some premenopausal women or menopausal women having testosterone replacement therapy may also have high testosterone if they are not monitoring and managing their testosterone therapy well.
So, make sure you work closely with your testosterone treatment provider to keep your testosterone levels within a normal range.
High testosterone diagnosis in women
A high testosterone diagnosis is simple.
Your healthcare provider will first conduct a physical examination and ask you related questions. Then they conduct a blood test to determine your serum testosterone levels.
If needed, additional blood tests or imaging tests, like an ultrasound, may also be performed to check your ovarian health.
High testosterone treatments: How to reduce testosterone in women?
There is a range of treatments that address reproductive hormones imbalance for women struggling with high testosterone levels.
The chosen approach to treatment depends on the underlying cause and the specific symptoms presented.
Medications for hormone regulation
Commonly prescribed medications include oral contraceptives, which aid in regulating hormone levels and mitigating symptoms like acne and irregular menstrual cycles.
Additionally, anti-androgen medications such as spironolactone can be effective in reducing testosterone levels, particularly in managing symptoms like hirsutism and hair loss.
Other commonly prescribed medications for high testosterone and associated symptoms are metformin, progestin, eflornithine and glucocorticosteroids.
Lifestyle changes
In conjunction with pharmaceutical interventions, lifestyle plays a pivotal role in hormone regulation.
Adopting a healthy diet, incorporating regular exercise, and implementing stress management techniques are integral components of a holistic approach to treatment.
Targeted therapies for specific conditions
For cases associated with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), healthcare professionals may recommend insulin-sensitising medications like metformin and other targeted therapies.
These personalised treatment plans, often developed in collaboration with endocrinologists or reproductive specialists, aim to restore hormonal balance and enhance overall well-being for women facing elevated testosterone levels.
How to treat high testosterone in a woman naturally?
Here are some effective natural ways to treat high testosterone and other hormonal issues:
Weight loss: If you are overweight and also have elevated testosterone levels, bringing your body weight within the normal range can help improve your irregular periods, fertility and other PCOS symptoms.
Stress regulation: Women who have chronic stress can experience a hormonal imbalance. Managing day-to-day stress through meditation and other simple exercises may help them have normal testosterone levels and feel better.
Quality Zzz…: Sleep is a magic pill that can do wonders. Poor quality sleep can raise your testosterone and impact the production of other hormones as well. Sleep for 7 to 9 hours every night to feel energetic and healthier the next day.
Healthy diet: Low-glycemic diet (lean proteins, whole grains, non-starchy vegetables) has been shown to be effective in managing blood sugar levels.
Regular exercise: It can help you bring your abnormal testosterone levels back to normal and improve your unpleasant symptoms. Healthcare professionals often suggest moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, cycling and brisk walking.
FAQs about women with high testosterone
What happens if testosterone is high in females?
High free testosterone levels in women can cause psychological, physical, and reproductive health symptoms in women. Some of these include irregular menstrual cycle, unwanted hair growth, and voice deepening.
Does high testosterone in women cause weight gain?
High testosterone may cause weight gain in some women by disturbing their metabolism, body fat distribution and insulin resistance.
Can high testosterone cause infertility in women?
Testosterone is a reproductive hormone. Hence, its abnormal levels (both high and low) can cause infertility in women.
What does high levels of testosterone in women mean?
In women, testosterone levels above the normal range (0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L or 15 to 70 ng/dL) are considered high testosterone levels. They cause multiple symptoms, impacting life quality in different ways.
When is a woman’s testosterone highest?
Testosterone levels are the highest in women in the morning.
Can high testosterone cause anxiety in females?
Anxiety is not a common symptom of high testosterone but some women with elevated testosterone levels can experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, high testosterone in women can cause a variety of unwanted symptoms if left untreated.
If you feel as though you’re suffering from high testosterone symptoms, we urge you to get in contact with our specialised doctors to discuss your options today.
References
Cussen, L., McDonnell, T., Bennett, G., Thompson, C.J., Sherlock, M. and O’Reilly, M.W., 2022. Approach to androgen excess in women: clinical and biochemical insights. Clinical Endocrinology, 97(2), pp.174-186.
Liang, J., Peng, Q., Yang, X. and Yang, C., 2021. The association between serum testosterone levels and metabolic syndrome among women. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 13(1), p.26.
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-testosterone-in-women
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About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: September 3rd, 2025
