Researchers warn excess male hormone in women could cause blindness

A new study has found high levels of testosterone, which is the male sex hormone, in women could lead to blindness.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Birmingham in Britain. Their investigation revealed testosterone leads could lead to high pressure in the brain, which is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), could cause long-term headaches daily and result in blindness.

55 female participants with IIH between the ages of 18 to 45 years were part of the study. Levels of testosterone in blood, urine and brain fluid, known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), were examined. When comparing the results, the team found women with IIH had higher levels of testosterone than women who are obese or with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

"These findings mark a key step forward. For the first time we have found a pattern of androgen dysregulation that is unique to IIH and potentially a driver of abnormal brain pressure in people with the condition," researcher Alex Sinclair told a news portal. Adding,"Taken together this provides the first evidence that IIH may be a manifestation of female androgen excess."

Professor Wiebke Arlt, Director of the University of Birmingham's Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, told a news portal: "Understanding the cause of a disease is a vital step to ultimately refine treatments which improved patient care and outcomes."

The study's findings were originally published in the journal JCI Insight.