Hyperandrogenism in women: What you need to know

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Hien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Hirsutism, acne can be a sign of excess androgen in women. So what are androgens? The following article will provide you with everything you need to know.

The female body produces not only the female hormone estrogen , but also androgen. Androgen is a male hormone, and both men and women produce it, but in different amounts.
Compared to men, women's bodies naturally produce only small amounts of androgens, averaging about 1/10 to 1/2 the amount that men's bodies produce. For women, the male hormone androgen plays an important role at the onset of puberty, stimulating hair growth in the pubic and armpit areas. In adult women, androgens are needed to synthesize estrogen and prevent bone loss. In addition, androgens also have a protective role in the skin due to the effect of sebum production, maintaining the smoothness of the skin. In addition, the female body also produces and supplies androgens to the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells.

Excess androgen in women, also known as hyperandrogenism, is a condition in which androgens are too active, or the body produces too much androgen compared to what it needs.

Hirsutism: When androgens are secreted too much, it will cause hirsutism in women, causing hair to grow in unsuitable places such as chin, mustache, .... Acne: Hyperandrogenism will enlarge pores and promote more sebum production. At that time, the skin will be very oily, the tubular cells in the sebaceous glands are more keratinized, causing clogged pores, leading to acne, cystic acne, pustules, dermatitis... Menstrual disorders. : When the body increases the production of androgens, it will disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing sparse, irregular, even amenorrhea.

Due to adrenal gland tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ovarian cysts cause the adrenal glands and ovaries to produce more androgens than normal. Polycystic ovary syndrome causes an imbalance of sex hormones, leading to an overproduction of androgens. Long-term use of hormonal drugs such as androgen therapy, steroids, birth control pills, also causes an imbalance of sex hormones in the body.

To overcome androgen excess in women by increasing the female hormone estrogen and decreasing the male hormone androgen, namely:
Using anti-androgen drugs. Oral contraceptives: Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, which help reduce androgens in women. However, birth control pills have many side effects, so it should be considered before using. Add foods that increase estrogen such as broccoli, watermelon, strawberries, soybeans... In case of necessity, you should visit a specialist for advice on the most appropriate treatment.