Women with more male hormone 'more willing to take risks'

WASHINGTON: Women with more of the hormone testosterone tend to behave more like men when taking financial risks, according to a new study.

"Women with higher levels of testosterone turn out to be less risk averse, more willing to take risks," Luigi Zingales of the University of Chicago said in a telephone interview.

Known as the male sex hormone, testosterone occurs in both men and women, but at higher levels in men. It has long been associated with competitiveness and dominance, reduction of fear, and with risky behaviors like gambling and alcohol use.