Anyone else been told high female testosterone can impact fertility?

[Cactus30]

I've just had a hormone test after 2 years of TTC. The nurse who gave me my results said all looked normal apart from a raised testosterone level which could be impacting my ability to get pregnant and the nurse said they'd speak to a doctor about prescribing metformin to help bring the level down to normal. Has anyone else heard this? I cant seem to find anything with a quick google...

Higher testosterone levels are an indicator for PCOS which is fairly common and can cause infertility - metformin is the standard treatment for that x

Thanks, they thought I might have PCOS so I went for an ultrasound but they didnt see any cysts so they ruled it out.

I'd read online that metformin shouldn't be taken by pregnant woman, so I'm not sure if I should be taking it while TTC...

Hi cactus,

I'd push for further investigations/a second opinion. I have raised testosterone and androgens but no cysts. I've still been diagnosed with PCOS because I have other symptoms as well as the raised hormones.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/diagnosis/

Metformin is very commonly prescribed for insulin resistance that is often seen in PCOS. It depends what type of PCOS you have. I don't think i have the insulin resistance as I am more on the lean side with a normal BMI, although I will gain weight easily If I'm not careful.

It took me 3 years to naturally conceive, I had a break as it all got a bit much, during this time I went to the gym at least 3 times a week, ate cleanly, took good quality vitamins, copious amounts of pure spearmint tea and Zita West Inositol supplement. Within a couple of months my once 60+ day non ovulatory cycles reduced to 32 then 28 days. The 28 day being the one when I conceived. I think lifestyle changes can be very helpful with PCOS. If you try anything Please give the inositol and spearmint tea a go, I highly recommend the combination as I feel it helped me a lot. Spearmint tea is widely known to reduce testosterone levels naturally. Good luck xx

The cystic follicles associated with PCOS can disappear (only to be replaced by further cystic follicles, also it can take a highly skilled sonographer to spot these) so this could be why such were not seen on ultrasound. Such scans too should be repeated so PCOS should not have been ruled out here.

Thanks for the advice, I've always had regular periods and that coupled with no cysts has led to the no PCOS diagnosis.

I had another call from a doctor and instead of metformin we decided to try something to help me lose weight which should help the testosterone levels to reduce...although I've always really struggled to lose weight...

We're waiting to get referred on to the fertility specialists but like everyone else the referral is on hold for the foreseeable future!

Thanks for the advice about spearmint tea, I'll give it a try!

@BelleBox19 can I ask where you get the spearmint tea from please? I've been looking everywhere and can only find ones infused with 3 types of mint, or with green tea? Thanks x

Here you go x

Palanquin Spearmint Tea (4 Boxes) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CH3ZEJU/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_Z1bMEb4DVXD59

Thank you so much @BelleBox19 - should have known that Amazon would come to the rescue :)

Hi @Cactus30

I'm not sure if you will see this reply it's been a few month since you put this on

So I've been struggling to conceive for the last year of actively trying also was with x2 ex partners both for 5years each and never got caught even tho I wasn't trying I was never on the pill,

Anyway last September I had a missed period so had blood test done and it come back slightly abnormal went for a scan and no signs of any cysts ect

Fast forward to now finally at the 12minth mark I've rang the doctors today and I asked what the abnormalities were back in September and he said my hormone levels are high,
I have regular periods
Not overweight
But i do have excessive hair and constant plucking shaving waxing ect

Your post sounds similar to me because every other one I've read either have irregular periods or they have found cysts and been diagnosed I don't have any of that either..

Just wondering what's happened since with you?
I have to have another blood test in 3weeks guess it's to check I'm ovulating but I do my temps and sticks and both show I ovulate every month so I'm confused but I do hope it's just my hormones and nothing more serious

Sorry for the long post :)

Hey! Apologies for bothering you 2 years later but this sounds exactly like my case. I’ve been told my testosterone level is high (2.3) and everything else is normal, regular periods, ovaries look ok etc. Do you have any updates on what happened with you? Were you prescribed anything/ are you still TTC? I’m making myself mad over thinking my situation but been TTC for 6 months now with no luck - I have a feeling I may not be ovulating. Would appreciate a response if you’re still here. Thank you x

Hey how are you now any update

@Chzm @Cactus30 Hi just wondering if you could give an update on your situations. I’ve had the same issue in terms of no pcos symptoms including on ultrasound but have high testosterone 2.04 on blood tests. This came as a surprise following blood panel after miscarriage.

Keen to TTC again and wondering if you have any advice?

Hey sorry for the late reply. I managed to conceive in my 7th month after posting on this thread.
Hope all is good with you x

Hey, I managed to conceive a month after posting on this thread. Hope all is good with you x