Lively Women Q&A: High Testosterone and First Gyno Visit?
September 17, 2007 by Kristen King
Filed under Women's Health
You ask…
I recently got my results back from the doctor after a blood check. He said my testosterone level was high, actually quite high. I am 17 years old will be turning 18 in January and the reason i got this checked in the first place is because i have not gotten my period since last January. I have acne very minorly on my face, more on my chest and a little on my back. However i dont have facial hair, or hair on anywhere else it shouldnt be, and i don’t have a deep voice.I have quite a small frame with size C cup breasts. The doctor doesn’t know the reason for my high testosterone level so he is sending me to a gynocologyst. I am very nervous, so any thoughts as to why my level is high or what i can expect from going to the gyno would be very helpful.
Lively Women answers…
Great questions. I’m so glad you’re going to the doctor and that he referred you to a gynecologist. You’re so smart to take a proactive approach to your health at a young age.
I’m not a doctor, much less an endocrinologist, so I can’t really speculate as to why your testosterone levels may be high. What I can tell you, though, is that it’s very normal for hormone levels to fluctuate, especially in your teens, so this doesn’t make you weird or “a freak.” There are any number of elements that can affect those levels, including your growth and what you eat. I’m sure you and your doctor will get it straightened out. And especially since you’re not having any unusual or adverse effects from the high testosterone levels, it sounds like it could just be nothing at all. Some people’s “normal” is just higher or lower than “average.”
Now, as far as your first gynecologist visit goes, I bet you’re feeling pretty freaked out. I remember my first visit, and I was so nervous that I thought I was going to throw up. And afterward, when it was all over and I relaxed, I felt like kind of a dork for having been so nervous, because it wasn’t bad at all.
Every doctor’s office is a little different, but this is generally how it goes down:
- When you arrive at the office, you do the same check-in, fill out the same paperwork, and read the same boring waiting room magazines as any other doctor visit while you wait to be called back for your appointment.
- When they call you back, an assistant or nurse will generally weigh you and take a brief medical history (When was your last period? Do you smoke? Are you sexually active? Have you ever been hospitalized? Etc.). Sometimes they may draw blood and/or get a urine specimen, too. They will probably do both for you since they’re checking out your hormone levels.
- You’ll be taken to an exam room where you’ll change into one of those fashionable paper gowns for your exam. When it’s your first visit, you’ll often meet the gynecologist before you even change, and he or she will see if you have any questions and tell you what to expect.
- The actual exam usually begins with a breast exam, for which you’ll lay back on the examination table and the doctor will check your breasts, uncovering them one at a time, for abnormalities. The doctor will gently use his or her fingers to press on your breast tissue (which extends to your armpits) and feel for bumps, lumps, or anything else that shouldn’t be there. It takes about 30 seconds a breast. This is also an opportunity for the doctor to teach you how to do your own breast self-exam.
- Next, the doctor will probably check your stomach for any tenderness by pressing down in various spots and asking if you feel any pain. You’re probably used to this from your pediatrician.
- Last is the pelvic exam, the part that most women dread leading up to their first gyno visit. You’ll lie back on the exam table, scoot your butt down to the edge, and put your feet in the stirrups that stick out from the end of the table. This keeps your legs out of the way so the doctor can see what’s what. The exam will generally last less than 5 minutes. First, the doctor will probably insert what’s called a speculum, a metal or plastic instrument that looks like a duckbill. This holds your vagina open so the doctor can see inside and also to allow him or her to take a swab of cervical cells for your Pap smear. Most women report feeling a little pressure when the speculum is in, which makes sense because its job is to press on the vagina walls, but it’s not painful. Then, once the doctor removes the speculum, he or she will probably insert two fingers into your vagina to make sure everything feels right and may also press gently on your stomach at the same time to check for any pain. And then that’s it!
Be sure to let them know when you get there that this is your first appointment. The gynecologist and nurse or assistant will tell you what’s coming every step of the way so you’re not startled by anything.
I know it’s scary, especially since women make kind of a big deal out of not wanting to go and what a hassle it is and everything, but it’s really not that bad, honest. The worst thing that’s ever happened to me in 8 years of annual exams is that the doctor was running late last time I went and it made me late for my next appointment that morning.
So, relax, and give yourself props for taking care of your body.
Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King
This sounds like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – high testosterone, irregular period. It’s very common in young women.
hey,
I aint no doctor but im n the same sit. as u—-kina—I have a tall large frame but i am still 2 heavy-I wear a 38 D to DD and Im 14! I have lots of facial hair and my period is soooo irregular! I can go a year with out one and then have it every 2 weeks! My cousin has the disease listed above i think and my mom has a feelin i do 2! I went to a special doctor my doctor wanted me to go to and it said all my hormone levels are normal—so whats the deal? I aint that big even tho i weigh a lot! 270 pounds and a large is not to big-not to small! So i am musclar but i still can gain weight easily! So when you get ur results-help me out 2!
I also went to the doctor because i have a skin disease and i wanted to get checked for a thyroid problem, which runs in the family. the doctor told me that my testosterone level is really high. she however neglected to tell me anything else. i have regular periods but i have alot of pain. but i dont know what to expect im not hairy where i shouldnt be but im worried. a friend said i couldnt have kids or i might go through early menopause because thats wat they told her. i also miscarry alot, more than i should any way. so i need to know more and i cant find a page to help me out. help!!!
Hi Amber,
I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and one of my symptoms before I was treated was a painful skin problem, which was like small boils, called hidradenitis suppurativa that can be caused by high testosterone. I didn’t have irregular periods either and I wasn’t irregularly hairy but I was still diagnosed with PCOS. If you’ve had miscarriages I think that could certainly be caused by that. Treatment (birth control pill) helped me immensely – the skin problem went away, mood swings went away, hair stopped falling out (that’s often caused by high testosterone). Look into it! It seems like a lot of doctors don’t know it when they see it. Obviously I’m just making a suggestion and you might have a different problem.
Emily, I have high testosterone levels, facial hairiness, deep voice, thinning hair, mood swings, weight gain etc, but no irregular periods- what type of birth control are you on/do you recommend? An endocrinologist pretty much diag. me with pcos- basically whats a helathy way to control the testosterone?
Hi Laura,
I’m on a pill called Reclipsen (it’s generic for Ortho-cept), and it works fine for me, with no side effects. However my doctor stressed that what works great for one woman might cause side effects for another, so you might need to try a couple of different types before you find one that works with your body and doesn’t cause side effects. Since you have so many PCOS symptoms, you might consider supplementing the pill with other remedies, and changing your diet and exercise habits. I found this website helpful as a collection of different PCOS treatments: http://pcosfaq.com/
I hope you feel better soon!
I just found out that I have high levels of testosterone..I am 30 years old. I also weight train 4 days a week I bench 125 and I am 238lbs but it is distributed through out my body so really don’t look 238. My doctor has mention that muscle mass can cause this aswell. I mean I work out and now I feel like I shouldn’t lift anymore!
This sounds interesting. I was sure I had something like PCOS but a website i read says ALL pcos suffers have irregular or no periods.
I have slightly receding hair, male pattern extra hair (round the nipple only) and on chin/under chin. weird huh
plus complete inability to lose weight, despite swimming 4 times per week at lunchtime and going to the gym 3-4 nights per week doing 40 mins cardio. i definitely have what would be referred to in a man as a paunch!
I have thick, heavy calves, shoulders and upper arms. nice huh. can see why the boys aren’t interested – they probably sniff the extra testosterone and run a mile!
going to docs in a few weeks so will double check but don’t want to take pill/contraceptive etc…(fake hormones!)
xx
Im 18 and i was just diagnosed after my first visit to the obgyn, that i have high testosterone levels, it was my first visit, and i went on birthcontrol. it only gave me a heavier period (which have always been irregular) and i dont know if i should got back on it because i stopped it, because it scared me. i feel terrible and i just need advice. please.
Hi Melissa, you should go back to your doctor and tell her your symptoms. She will either put you on a different pill or have you continue on this one. If your only side effect is a heavier period, you should probably continue it and see how it works after you’ve been on it for a longer time – usually it will take 3 months for your body to grow accustomed to it. My first period on the pill lasted 12 days, but now it’s perfectly regular and very light. Hope this helps!
hey i went to the doc yesterday and found out i had high testost, my hair was falling out and i was so upset ! will this hair grow back ?? will my hair thicken up ??? im so worryed bout it . doc gave me contraceptive pill , how long till that works ??
laura has left a comment in aug , i would love to know how she is now as i have the same prob and i am so so stressed !
Hey Gillian – I went a long time with my hair falling out in handfuls with no idea what was going on. Once I got on the pill (January 2008), it stopped falling out and started growing back. I’m not sure how quickly it worked but within about a month after starting the pill, my testosterone levels were normal. My hair is fine now, as is the rest of me – goodbye constant mood swings, chin hairs, etc. Of course, your case might not be the same as mine, but I’m sure your hair will grow back. I hope your body responds well to the pill.
thanks for the reply !:) my case was i didnt get my period . my hair was getting so so thin !! gained a bit of weight alto i wasnt really trying to lose it if you know what i mean ? i cant wait for my hair to grow back . my hair is my thing and just want it back to normal . might invest in a supplement for hair growth what ya think ???
I am really glad I just found this message board. I just returned from the doctor, with no answers….once again. My hair has been falling out for almost three years now (Im only 22!) and I have always had an irregular period. All of my blood results keep coming back “normal”…but obviously something is wrong. My testosterone levels are “within range”…but they seem to be on the high end of the range (the range in 8-82 and my level is 66). I was wondering if any of you know what your testosterone levels were? Also what kind of birth control did you go on to help mediate these high levels? Thanks!
hey kelly same problem as me im on a pill called dianette its for your skin and hair . on it 3 weeks now dunno if its working or not but im sure it will take longer than 3 weeks . did u get ur thoyroid checked ???
Hi guys!
About 3 months ago my period stopped coming and I gained 10 pounds for one week that I still can’t get off, more chin hair started growing and so on
As you can guess, I was diagnosed with PCOS. I started reading a lot online and of course, I freaked out because the first sentence of each article is: “there is no cure”. On top of that, I would prefer not to take any birth control pills as they are temporary fix, not a solution. Luckily, I found the following website: http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com/index.php . It claims that with their ALL NATURAL medicine, a diet and a health life style, PCOS is REVERSIBLE.
I highly recommend that you do your full blood work test (especially the 2 hour glucose resistance test and cholesterol level) before you prescribe yourself any of their treatments. I have not started yet with the pills because I am trying to get an appointment with endocrinologist first. I will also consult with my doctor before I get these pills and post again… I hope it works out well for all of us.
Hello, I am 35 years of age and have hair falling and acne for 2 years now. Is 72 normal for Testosterone? . Thanks
Hi Donna,
The normal women testosterone is 20-76, so yours in on the upper level.
I’m 17, and I have hair in abnormal places for women, I think. I haven’t gone to a doctor about it.. I’ve constantly been putting it off. I was pretty irregular on my periods, but they have seemed to level out. I started at a younger age and went through that whole phase before most in my class. I’m tiny though.. about 5 feet and weigh 110-115. I don’t know if it’s enough of a problem to get checked out by a doctor, but I really don’t like the excess of hair. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great!
Hey Everyone!
It’s good to see that there is other women out there with the same problem as me. I often thought that I was alone, but I’m proud to know that I have women on my side.
O.K…. So, first off, I’m 21 years old. And the last time I had my cycle was in October 2008. So, after November was done and over, I felt like there was something missing, and I was right. I didn’t have my period that whole month. No signs of nothing. So, in December I went to my OBGYN, like most women who think that they might be pregnant. But, the answe was No!
She later took my blood samples so that they could be tested, and told me to call within 3 to 5 days. Or atleast wait til I hear from her. I did exactly that, and then, while I’m at work, my cell phone rings. She told me that I wasn’t pregnant, but… I do however, have high testosterone levels. She told me that 80 is the normal upper range, but my levels are 2x higher than that. I asked her what we’re my levels, and she replied, 210! I was in shocked. Then, she said that I won’t be able to have kids, and she recommended me to 2 doctors who could help me out, since I’m beyond her espertise
Sorry for that everyone, my PC is going through stages. LOL!
But, she told me that I was beyond her expertise, and that the 2 doctors could help me. And that was that. Nothing on how “we can try to go over somethings while you have to wait along time in order to see an Endocrinologist” (Yes, I called early this month to schedule an appt, and I’m going on March 2, so yes, it is awhile before you can see an Endocrinologist.) Nothing at all.
So, I went on telling my mother what was going on, and everyone laughed and joked about my levels. I know your probably saying “why are they joking about it?” But that was the only thing I could do to keep my mind off of the “no kids” thing. So, after hours of joking, I told my family that there is a chance that I won’t be able to have any kids. The laughter stopped there, and all I saw was sorrow in their eyes. Everyone knew how I felt about babies, and one day being able to have my own, because my 2 baby nieces are my world.
Now, I’m still waiting for everything. My period which I didn’t have since October, to go to the doctors in March, and finding out true answers on being able to have kids. Only because you read articles about “oh, you can still have this and that, if you have or have had, that” But, every women is different.
OK, let’s see, I’m 21, work 10 hour days, have hair EVERYWHERE, my voice is constantly changing, my hair on my head as been falling out since I was 13, missed or irregular periods, my levels are 210, overweight for my height, but at the same time I’m active, etc… etc…
But, there is one tricky and no way possible that I can explain why I feel that I have something inside of me, moving from one side to the next, and my belly gets hard. I really don’t know how to explain that. It looks weird has I am typing it down at this moment. But like you all, I am waiting and looking for answers. But, it’s great that everyone wants to be healthy in some way, shape, or form. Thanks to everyone who took that time out to read my novel. LOL! Hope anyone can try to help out. Thanks!
I’ve been dealing with excess body hair and weight gain since late teens (now in my 30’s). My periods are fine, and I’ve had no problem conceiving. About 3 years ago I was tested for PCOS, results came back negative (normal ovaries). Another year later, and a different doctor decided to test me again…results negative again (still normal). Then I had a baby and my weight dropped dramatically…mmm, I’m thinking it is still hormones! Then when breast feeding dropped off, my weight has started creeping up again, very slowly.
Today I was tested for slow thyroid and testosterone. Thryroid is normal, testosterone is very high….ok, we are making progress! My doc has referred me to a Endocrinologist (sp?) for another opinion, which I’m yet to visit, but it looks like diaretic treatment….for hair issue only. The weight remains a mystery as I have a healthy diet, and I’m not lazy (although I do admit to needing more exercise). Can anyone shed some light on, or share my situation?
hi everybody!
glad to know im not the only one going thru this.im 30 and just got back my results from blood work and my testosterone levels are high.i’ve been irregular all my life and it was difficult for me to conceive.i was with my boyfriend for 9years before I got pregnant.my son is 3 now and I’ve been pregnant twice after him.im scheduled to have an ultrasound next week but my ob gyn explained to me that my levels are high because my eggs are not shedding properly because of the irregular periods.i’ll keep you ladies posted on my results!
I am 20yrs old and recently went to an obgyn for irregular periods (every 3-6 months) male pattern hair growth and excessive weight gain that I couldn’t get rid of. I thought I had PCOS, but blood test said that my estrogen was normal, meaning no PCOS, and that I had high testosterone levels. She put me on progestern to induce a period and then birth control.She recommended that i go see a specialist.so, I have an appointment with an Endocronologist (why are they so hard to get in to see?) for mid April. So hopefully I will get an answer there.
Im 19 years old and for the longest time i have been very hairy. Everywhere you can think of basically, under my chin, belly, back, legs. I also have severe acne on my back and face that i treat and it just wont go away. I think i have high testosterone levels and i was wondering if taking birth control would help regulate it?
First off I am pleased to have found this website! Im 27yrs old and have been diagnosed with pcos and high testosterone levels. My doctors have scheduled me to see an endocrynologist but that is going to take almost 3months…why is that??? Ive had irregular periods since I can remember, hair growing EVERYWHERE, cannot get pregnant for the life of me, my weight is never at a stand still, hair is thinning and I have a wierd feeling in my stomach sometimes like something is moving in there but ive never been pregnant…almost like something is tickling me from the inside. Im just now going to the doctors for all this, Ive been putting it on the back burner for sometime now because Im scared that the doctors will tell me I cannot concieve. Is there anything that is prescribed that can lower testosterone levels and what can I expect going to a specialist?
I am a 42 yo female with a testosterone level of 180. I have had 5 children so I do not have PCOS. I am seeing a great endocrinologist and she did a battery of blood and urine tests, my testosterone is a little higher now. She is doing a body scan. Looking for a tumor. That does not mean it is cancer. It could be a benign hormone secreting tumor. I have searched online for some cause besides PCOS but I am at a loss. I go in to start the full body scans tomorrow.
I will let you know what I find out.
Hello,
I am a 42 mother of 2 and I have been experiencing irregular periods for a couple of years now. I have also noticed hair on my body where it should not be ie: chin, back of my upper arms, a patch on my back, heavier amounts on my upper thighs and losing hair where I shouldn’t ie. my head. I have also been experiencing low energy, high blood pressure and mood swings.
I’ve been tested for thyroid a few times over the course of a year (it is very common on my mother’s side of the family) and now I’ve seen a gynocologist who is testing my testosterone levels amongst a number of other things. I am a little hopful regarding the possibility of gaining back the hair on my head where I have lost it but … I’m also hoping that the hair that has been acquiring in spots where I don’t want it to will also disappear!
Here’s to hoping!
I have just been told by my gynecologist that i have a high testosterone level. She referred me to an endocrinologist. I have had 3 periods in two years and i am feelings weird these days. Some unpleasant symptoms. I am glad to know what is wrong with me finally and hope to find a solution soon.