Increased testosterone during pregnancy: causes, norms and deviations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

There are a number of indicators that allow the doctor to assess the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus. Deviation from the norm in one direction or another is the reason for the study of the hormonal background of a woman. During pregnancy, some hormones increase, thus providing favorable conditions for bearing a child, while others, on the contrary, decrease. And everything would be smooth if it were not for the failures that often occur in a woman's body. As a result, there is a danger for the favorable bearing of the fetus. In our article we will talk about what happens to a woman who has increased testosterone during pregnancy. In addition, we will definitely point out the causes of this condition and effective methods for reducing the "male" hormone.

The role of testosterone in a woman's body

Unlike women, men havemore developed muscular muscles, low voice, thick hair on the skin. All these are signs of the presence of testosterone in the body. The main male hormone plays a leading role in the formation of spermatozoa and is responsible for a man's sexual desire.

In a small amount of testosterone is present in the female body. It is produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex. In women, testosterone is responsible for the constitution of the body, the development of the mammary and maturation of the gonads, and the growth of the musculoskeletal system. Under the power of this hormone, the behavior and psycho-emotional state of each of the fair sex. It is testosterone that makes a woman look attractive.

This hormone plays no lesser role for the favorable bearing of the fetus. Increased testosterone during pregnancy is the norm, but only if the value of the indicator is within the maximum permissible limits. A blood test will help determine the level of this hormone.

What to do if testosterone is high when planning a pregnancy?

In a woman, the "male" hormone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands in an amount 25 times lower than in the representatives of the strong half of humanity. But even this is quite enough to ensure the growth of follicles, without which the maturation of the egg and the onset of a normal pregnancy are impossible. If the production of the hormone increases, then the menstrual cycle fails. Most often, along with this, there is a decrease in progesterone, without which the normal functioning of the reproductive system is impossible.

When planningPregnancy increased testosterone in women requires close attention. Exceeding the concentration of this hormone in the blood can cause improper ovulation and early miscarriage if pregnancy does occur. An analysis to determine the level of testosterone is taken on the 6-8th day of the menstrual cycle. According to its results, the doctor will be able to prescribe treatment to adjust the hormonal levels.

Testosterone levels for women in a period of variability

In a normal state, in women of reproductive age over 18, testosterone levels range from 0.31 to 3.78 nmol/l. But in pregnant women, this figure is usually 3-4 times higher. Moreover, it was noticed that in women bearing boys, the concentration of the hormone is higher than in expectant mothers who are expecting the birth of daughters.

It is difficult to say exactly what exactly the increased testosterone should be during pregnancy in the first trimester. Usually, the highest concentration of the hormone is observed from the 8th to the 12th week of pregnancy.

It is curious that in cord blood the quantitative value of testosterone is 1.2 nmol/l. Such a low level of the hormone is explained by the fact that the placenta itself thus protects the fetus from the harmful effects of high testosterone.

Reasons for an increase in the hormone

During pregnancy, various protective structures begin to work actively in the body of a woman. Their task is to prevent the negative effects of hormones on the fetus. But at the same timethey cannot completely protect the body from an excess of androgens. The most dangerous is the increase in testosterone for a period of 4-8 and 13-20 weeks. As a result of a sharp increase in the hormone, the threat of abortion increases or the fetus freezes.

There are a number of reasons why testosterone rises in the body of a pregnant woman:

• the presence of pathological conditions (tumors of the adrenal glands and ovaries, polycystic processes in the sex glands, etc.);
• taking hormonal drugs and oral contraceptives;
• malnutrition;
• genetic factor.

To identify elevated testosterone during pregnancy and find the reasons for its growth, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. This will allow timely start of treatment and prevent negative consequences for the woman and the fetus.

Symptoms of rising testosterone

The fact that the "male" hormone is increased in a woman's body can be assumed even before the blood test. They are literally visible on the face. The following symptoms can be noted that a woman has increased testosterone during pregnancy:

• active hair growth on the body and hair loss on the head;
• dry and flaky skin;
• rashes on the face (acne);
• changes in figure (shoulders become wider and hips narrower);
• fragility of voice;
• increased libido, up to obsessive sexual desire;
• menstrual irregularities;
• manifestation of unmotivatedaggressiveness.

In general, a woman diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance becomes more like a man outwardly. Competent treatment will help correct the situation.

What is the danger for the expectant mother and fetus?

Excess testosterone negatively affects not only the appearance of a woman and her psycho-emotional state. If the excess is insignificant, then the pregnant woman can not be much afraid for her position, especially if she is carrying a male child. At the same time, with an intensive growth of the hormone, the consequences can be detrimental to a woman and a child.

If a blood test showed an increase in testosterone in early pregnancy, this means that a woman has a high risk of miscarriage, premature birth, miscarriage or fading of the fetus, as well as the birth of a child with hormonal disorders. That is why it is recommended to identify deviations from the norm at the planning stage.

Getting pregnant with excess testosterone is possible, although very difficult. The fact is that with an increased level of the hormone, the cycle fails, in which ovulation most often does not occur. If this did happen, then it will be difficult to bear the fetus, since testosterone blocks the production of progesterone, which is responsible for fixing the egg and placental growth.

Hormone-lowering drugs

If pregnancy occurs with increased testosterone, then all necessary measures should be taken to ensure thatto save her. With a significant excess of the hormone, which threatens the normal bearing of the fetus, special medications are prescribed:

• "Dexamethasone".
• "Prednisolone".
• "Digitalis".
• "Digoxin".

In addition, glucose preparations will help to increase the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment. These include Siofor or Glucofage. If the treatment is carried out at the planning stage, then the doctor usually recommends taking oral contraceptives ("Yarina" or "Zhanin").

Only a gynecologist-endocrinologist should prescribe the above drugs. Self-medication can harm the baby.

Diet for high testosterone during pregnancy

Nutritionists say that the growth of the "male" hormone in a woman's body depends on nutrition. That is why, in order to reduce its level, only taking medications may not be enough. Treatment should be comprehensive and high-quality nutrition will help to cope with such a problem as increased testosterone during pregnancy.

Firstly, from the diet of a woman carrying a baby, products containing fats of animal origin should be excluded. Secondly, the basis of the pregnant woman's menu should be vegetables and fruits. The most useful are:

• cabbage;
• carrot;
• greens;
• apples;
• grapes;
• cherry;
• dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots,raisins).

This may seem strange to many, but to reduce testosterone, you should not give up sweets, since it has been proven that an increase in blood glucose levels inhibits the production of the "male" hormone. But s alt intake should be limited to 3 grams per day.

Why is high prolactin dangerous during pregnancy?

The hormonal background of a woman plays a major role in the conception, bearing and birth of a he althy child. If, according to the results of the tests, it is revealed that testosterone and prolactin are elevated, when planning a pregnancy, this necessitates therapy and the appointment of appropriate drugs.

In the body of a woman carrying a baby, there is an increase in both hormones. But for the successful course of pregnancy and childbirth at term, both testosterone and prolactin must be within the normal range. Treatment should be strictly under the supervision of a physician, preferably a gynecologist-endocrinologist. With the proper prescription of drugs, the hormonal background can very quickly be brought back to normal, after which the desired pregnancy may soon occur.