Hyperandrogen in Women Is Not a Minor Health Problem

Hyperandrogen is a condition in which the levels of the hormone androgen or testosterone in a woman's body are too high. Normally, women do have this hormone, but only in small amounts. If the amount of androgen hormone in a woman's body is excessive, various health problems can arise.

Androgen hormone or testosterone is produced in the body of both men and women. However, the amount of this hormone is normally more in men.

In women, androgens are produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries. Together with other hormones, androgen hormones are responsible for regulating and maintaining various functions of the body's organs, including the reproductive organs and bones. Androgen hormones are also in charge of regulating libido or sexual desire.

Therefore, when androgen hormone levels exceed normal limits in a woman's body, serious health problems can arise.

Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Hyperandrogen in Women

The following are some of the physical symptoms that can arise as a result of androgen levels in a woman's body being too high:

  • Increased muscle mass
  • Reduced breast size
  • Enlarged clitoris
  • Growing thick hair on the face and various parts of the body
  • Hair loss or baldness
  • Severe acne
  • The voice sounds heavier
  • Menstruation is not smooth
  • Decreased libido

Some of these symptoms can make women feel less confident. Not only that, hyperandrogens are also at risk of causing fertility problems in women. However, women who have hyperandrogens can still get pregnant if they have regular sex without contraception.

Several studies have also stated that women who have hyperandrogens are more at risk for psychological disorders, such as: mood mood swings, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Causes of Hyperandrogen in Women

There are several medical conditions that can cause a woman to experience hyperandrogens, namely:

  • Diseases of the ovaries, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and ovarian cancer
  • Disorders of the adrenal glands, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal gland tumors
  • Diseases that affect the pituitary gland in the brain, such as Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, and prolactinoma
  • Side effects of certain drugs, such as anabolic steroids, testosterone hormone therapy, and insulin injections
  • insulin resistance

In addition to the above conditions, there are several factors that can increase a woman's risk of experiencing hyperandrogens, including obesity and having a family history of hyperandrogens.

How to Overcome Hyperandrogen in Women

Treatment of hyperandrogen in women must be adjusted to the cause. Therefore, women who experience hyperandrogen need to undergo an examination to the doctor.

To confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause of the patient's hyperandrogen, the doctor will perform a thorough examination, including blood tests to determine androgen hormone levels.

After the patient is indicated to be suffering from hyperandrogenism, the doctor will usually advise the patient to make lifestyle changes, for example by following a healthy diet and regular exercise to achieve the ideal body weight.

In addition, hyperandrogens can be overcome by administering drugs, including:

Antiandrogen drugs

Antiandrogen drugs are types of drugs that can reduce androgen hormone levels in the body. There are several types of antiandrogen drugs, namely spironolactone, flutamide, and cyproterone acetate (CPA).

Contraceptive pills containing antiandrogens

For women with hyperandrogen conditions who are not planning to become pregnant, hormonal contraception can be an option to reduce androgen levels in the body.

There are many types of hormonal contraceptives to choose from. One of them is the combined contraceptive pill which contains estrogen and progesterone. In addition, there are hormonal contraceptives that contain the progesterone Levonorgestrel, Norgestimate, Desogestrel, Drospirenone, Cyproterone acetate (CPA).

To treat hyperandrogenism, the recommended type of hormonal contraception is hormonal contraception containing a combination of ethinyletsradiol and cyproterone acetate (CPA).

As an antiandrogen Cyproterone acetate works by lowering free androgen hormone levels, reducing oil production in the skin, and preventing skin problems, such as acne, or the growth of thick hair on the face and some areas of the body.

Long-Term Impact if Hyperandrogen is Not Treated

Untreated hyperandrogens can cause more serious disorders. If not treated properly, hyperandrogens can cause women to become obese, have diabetes, and have difficulty conceiving.

Not only that, several studies also show that postmenopausal women with hyperandrogen conditions are also more prone to cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Therefore, if you experience symptoms of hyperandrogen, you should immediately consult a doctor. The sooner treatment is given, the less chance of complications that can be dangerous.