Introduction
High free testosterone levels are common in up to 60% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Having high free testosterone levels can lead to many symptoms in women, including irregular periods and infertility. Luckily, treatments are available for lowering your free testosterone levels if this is your case.
Symptoms
Symptoms of high free testosterone are the same symptoms of PCOS. The most common include:
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Infertility
- Weight gain (particularly in the belly area)
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Feeling lethargic
Causes
While PCOS is the most common cause of high free testosterone, other causes exist. These include:
- Hirsutism
- Hyperandrogenism (excessive production of androgen hormones)
- Ovarian or adrenal tumors
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Other disorders
Testing
A blood sample is taken and sent to a lab to test for free testosterone. Results are usually available within one to two business days.
Treatment
If you have PCOS, it’s important to have a doctor who can help you with your diagnosis. It’s also important to find a nutritionist who can help guide you on your path toward health and wellness if this condition is present. Additionally, having a trainer or coach might help keep you motivated and focused on reaching your goals.
Anti-androgen medications
Anti-androgens are medications that are often used to treat prostate cancer, but they can also be helpful for women who have PCOS and high free testosterone levels as it blocks the effect of testosterone in the body.
There are several different types of anti-androgens on the market. One of them is Spironolactone (Aldactone), a medication commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, but helpful for PCOS and high testosterone. It’s also known to lower cholesterol levels and reduce acne breakouts in women with PCOS while having the following side effects:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness or fainting spells when you stand up too quickly (orthostatic hypotension)
- Breast tenderness or swelling in men or women
You should not take any other medications while on Spironolactone unless you first talk with your doctor about possible interactions between them; some drugs, when taken together, could cause serious side effects.
Insulin sensitizer medications
Insulin sensitizers are a class of medications that help lower blood sugar levels. Several types of insulin sensitizers exist and they can be used to treat PCOS symptoms; these are:
- Metformin: An oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and PCOS. It makes your body more sensitive to insulin’s effects on lowering blood glucose levels.
- Pioglitazone: Another oral medication taken for type 2 diabetes or PCOS. It also increases insulin sensitivity and improves your body’s response to glucose in the bloodstream, so there is less resistance against it being lowered.
- Rosiglitazone, like pioglitazone: Helps with type 2 diabetes or PCOS by increasing insulin sensitivity; however, it does not seem as effective compared to the previous two.
Changing your diet and exercise habits
Changing your diet and exercise habits can help manage your symptoms of PCOS. Talk to your doctor about changes you might make to improve your health.
Change your diet:
Eat a balanced diet that provides all the nutrients you need for good health.
- Eat a variety of foods low in fat but high in fiber (fruits and vegetables), lean proteins (chicken or fish), and whole grains (oats).
- Avoid foods that raise insulin levels, like sugar-sweetened beverages and refined grains (white bread).
Prioritize physical activity:
Exercise regularly.
- At least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity, such as cycling or brisk walking, is recommended.
- Also, you can do muscle-strengthening exercises two days per week such as lifting weights or doing pushups.
Conclusion
The good news is that there are many different ways to lower testosterone. If your doctor recommends medication, the first step is to test your hormone levels and see exactly what kind of treatment will work best for you. We hope this article has helped answer some questions about free testosterone and its interaction with other hormones in women with PCOS.