Why Would a Woman Have High Testosterone?

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A woman may have high testosterone, a condition known as hyperandrogenism, primarily due to an underlying hormonal disorder. The most common cause is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which affects the ovaries and leads to the overproduction of androgens, including testosterone. This is often linked to insulin resistance, where high insulin levels signal the ovaries to produce more androgens. Less common causes include genetic disorders like Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), which affects the adrenal glands' hormone production, or, rarely, an androgen-secreting tumor on the ovaries or adrenal glands. High testosterone can result in symptoms like hirsutism (excess hair growth), acne, irregular periods, and thinning scalp hair.