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Testosterone is the most important male sex hormone. However, women also cannot live without it. The action of testosterone is multidirectional and serves both sexes, albeit in a slightly different way. It is this hormone that is responsible for large muscles, deep voice, but also for the level of aggression.

Testosteroneis the most important male sex hormone.In men, testosterone is produced by the testicles . In women, testosterone is produced in small amounts by the ovaries, the adrenal cortex, and the placenta during pregnancy. Testosterone is an androgenic hormone, which means it is responsible for the male features of the body (from the Greek androgen means "making a man").

Today it is known that testosterone can do a lot more. When - regardless of gender - there is too little or too much of it, trouble arises. How much hormone our body needs is determined by the command center, i.e. the pituitary gland controlled by the hypothalamus.

If there is too little of it, the pituitary gland begins to secrete the so-called stimulating hormone , which will stimulate the testes or ovaries to work. From the testes and ovaries, testosterone is transferred into the blood, where it binds with the SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globuline) protein.

After this connection, 90 percent testosterone becomes inactive. The remaining 10 percent. it travels to individual cells to decide about he alth and well-being.

Testosterone - role in the male body

In men, testosterone is produced from the 9th week of intrauterine life. About 95 percent Testosterone is produced by the parenchymal parenchyma cells (Leydig cells), the remainder being made in the adrenal glands. What are the functions of testosterone in men? Testosterone is responsible for:

  • development of male genital organs and maintaining their functions in adulthood - under its influence, the development of testicles, seminal vesicles, scrotum, prostate gland, penis develops
  • sexual initiation
  • course of spermatogenesis (sperm production)
  • male hair growth
  • correct vocal cords positioning
  • fat breakdown
  • stimulation and maintenance of sexual function and formation of the male behavioral profile
  • has an anabolic effect, e.g. influencing the growth of muscle mass as a result of the overgrowth of muscle cells without increasing themquantity
  • stimulating the growth of long bones through synergistic action with growth hormone
  • increasing the production of clotting factors, lipase, sialic acid, alpha1 antitrypsin and haptoglobin
  • reducing the concentration of SHBG, transferrin and fibrinogen
  • inducing a drop in HDL cholesterol
  • proliferation (multiplication) of bone tissue
  • stimulating the production of erythropoietin
  • modulating cellular and immune system responses

Testosterone plays a pivotal role in arousing and maintaining a man's sexual function.

Testosterone - testosterone levels decline from year to year

The testes of an adult male produce about 4-7 mg of testosterone daily, but its concentration varies depending on emotions and he alth.

The norm is 2.2-9.8 ng (nanograms) / ml of blood. Untiluntil 25.-30. After the age of 18, a man's testosterone level remains high .

Later it gradually lowers.Between the ages of 20 and 80, it drops by more than 50%.How quickly this process progresses is determined by the state of he alth, lifestyle, and diet.

Men react individually to testosterone deficiency. Some people do not notice it, others develop ailments that could be compared to those experienced by women during the menopause.

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Reducing the amount of testosterone may also be the result of long-term stress, alcohol abuse, and smoking. It is also known that some diseases contribute to it: atherosclerosis, diabetes or testicular diseases.

When there is not enough of this hormone, the silhouette of a man takes on a feminine shape- hips round, belly and breasts are outlined. Less hair, testicles get smaller.

The interest in sex decreases, and sometimes it completely disappears. There is unjustified fatigue, low self-esteem, apathy.

Important

Small doses of testosterone can have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and the heart. However, with prolonged administration of the hormone, an increase in cholesterol (increase LDL and lower HDL) and triglycerides is observed, which causes cardiovascular disease.

In addition, the hormone promotes the clumping of platelets in men, and in women it increases the risk of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast and endometrial cancer. It also causes the growth of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus.

Testosterone - testosterone levels during the day

From 8 a.m. to noon testosterone levels inman remains at the highest level. So he is bursting with energy, he does not lack self-confidence, he is in top form thanks to the perfect coordination of all senses.

He is enterprising, but also prone to quarrels and … very hungry for sex.The accumulated testosterone will increase the desire for intercourse.

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Between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., testosterone levels drop.This is the best time for teamwork, because the man is still in a good mood.

It is also a good time for difficult conversations. When a man gets rid of his excess energy, it is easier to get along with him because he is more compliant and reveals good emotions.

Testosterone - role in the female body

The physiological significance of androgens in women, including testosterone, is difficult to establish and their effect is mainly related to the effect on bone metabolism, mood and libido.

About 50 percent of women Testosterone is produced peripherally.The peripheral production of testosterone from androstenedione occurs mainly in the liver, adipose tissue, and skin. In contrast, about half of the rest is produced in the ovaries and in the reticular layer of the adrenal cortex.

Total daily testosterone production is around 100-400 micrograms. The amount of testosterone in women changes along with the course of the monthly cycle, reaching the lowest concentration in the early follicular phase.

In terms of daily changes, its highest concentration in peripheral blood can be observed in the early morning hours.

In the period between 20th and 40-45. years of age, it reaches 50 percent. decrease in blood testosterone concentration , and the observed relationship concerns both the free and bound hormone fractions.

Testosterone as a drug

Testosterone can also be administered externally as a medicine. Testosterone esters are used intramuscularly: heptanoate, propionate, cypionate. Testosterone can be administered transdermally in the form of a gel, 9-14 percent is absorbed through the skin. administered dose, plasma concentration increases slowly, reaching equilibrium by day 2.

The indications for the external use of testosterone in men are:

  • primary and secondary male hypogonadism
  • delayed puberty in boys
  • eunuchoidyzm
  • post-castration syndromes
  • testosterone deficiency impotence
  • menopausal disorders in men
  • spermatogenesis disorders

In he althy men, external testosterone inhibits the secretion of the hormoneLH, which secondary to the inhibition of endogenous testosterone secretion. In high doses, it also inhibits the secretion of the hormone FSH, resulting in the inhibition of spermatogenesis.

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Application is limited in women. It can be exceptionally used in disorders related to hyperestrogenism.

In women, testosterone administered externally has an antagonistic effect against estrogens, reduces excessive bleeding, painful swelling of the breasts before menstruation, inhibits the secretion of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland, lactation, and the formation of metastases in breast cancer.

Source:

  1. Prof. dr hab. n. med. Krzysztof Drews, Testosterone metabolism and functions in the human body.

The article uses materials from Anna Jarosz from the monthly "Zdrowie"

About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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