When it rises, testosterone falls. Stress causes your levels of cortisol to rise. A consistent lack of good-quality sleep can also lead to weight gain, which can reduce your testosterone production. All of this reduces the active (free) form of testosterone in the body. Among women, perhaps the most common cause of a high testosterone level is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, what may seem like a symptom of testosterone excess (see below) may actually be unrelated to this hormone. The testosterone used in T-therapy requires a prescription. Endocrinologists are the type of doctors who specialize in hormonal disorders. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Hormone replacement therapy for woman That’s because this hormone fuels changes in a young girl's body. When it does, your body produces less estrogen. For example, some types of breast cancer treatment involve blocking estrogen production. When you have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, your body may lose the nutrients it needs to maintain sufficient estrogen. A variety of hormonal changes occur with PCOS, including low estrogen. Some people are born with it; others develop it later due to injury, infection, or other causes. Symptoms of high estrogen include having irregular periods and dense breast tissue. On average, menopause occurs at age 51. It can also happen abruptly in younger women whose ovaries are removed, resulting in so-called "surgical menopause." And your levels may be low immediately after childbirth and during breastfeeding. You may also experience low estrogen if you have been given certain drugs. This also happens if you have your ovaries removed or damaged before age 40, resulting in early menopause. When something goes wrong with your pituitary gland, less estrogen is made.
