Steroids: a blessing or a curse?

Letter August 22, 2022
Steroids: a blessing or a curse?

KARACHI:

Men and women both have some common hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. However, their production sites, blood concentrations and their interactions with different organs and systems are different. Men have high testosterone and low Estrogen levels while women have high estrogen and low testosterone levels.

Testosterone is the main male hormonal secretion caused by the testes. It causes primary and secondary male characteristics. It also causes high hair growth rate as well as acne due to sudden high hormone levels in male during puberty. Normal testosterone level in male is 270-1070 ng/dL whereas in female is 15-7 ng/dL. While estrogen, also termed female hormone, is secreted by the ovaries. Like testosterone, it also causes primary and secondary female characteristics. Bone growth and soft, smooth skin is also associated with estrogen. Normal estrogen level in male is 2.0-5.5 ng/Dl, whereas in female for menstruating ones is 15-30 pg/mL and for postmenopausal ones it should be lower than 10 pg/mL. The two hormones also have some common effects such as hair growth, electrolyte balancing, etc.

Women do not have a high testosterone level naturally but its level may become high due to an underlying condition such a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Hirsutism, Thyroid problems, or Insulin resistance. Or it may be due to higher intake of testosterone through testosterone boosting foods, which means foods highly rich in proteins, fats and carbohydrates such as broiler chicken meat, green vegetables, fatty fish and fish oil, onions, etc. Certain vitamins and minerals like Vitamin-D and zinc also play role in increasing testosterone levels.

High intake or high level of testosterones in females causes excessive facial, chest, back, other body part’s hair growth, male-patterned hair loss, acne, excessive weight gain, high cholesterol, metabolic syndromes such as diabetes, PCOS, abnormal periods, mood swings, deepening of voice, infertility and many other disorders. In severe cases high testosterone levels also develops Virilization — a condition in which a female develops characteristics associated with male hormones.

The high testosterone levels may be determined by physical examination (in which the body symptoms are checked which includes body and facial hair, acne, etc are checked), blood tests, and an ultrasound of ovaries and uterus (if PCOS symptoms are seen).

However, the last step of lowering the testosterone level, in females, is to be taken as per instructions of the consultant. It may be lifestyle changes, dietary changes, or medication (may include surgery if needed). Women should take care of their hormonal changes as a little negligence can cause severe health issues.

“A woman’s health is her capital.”
– Harriet Beechar Stowe

Rabia Athar

Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2022.

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