Testosterone: Its Functions And Effects In Men And Women
Hormones are a series of substances produced by the endocrine glands and that have numerous functions in the body. One of the best known is testosterone a predominantly male hormone, but which is also synthesized in women.
Despite being one of the most studied hormones, there are many body activities in which it is involved, as well as its health benefits and the differences between men and women when it comes to exercising its action.
Testosterone is a sex hormone, classified as a steroid, traditionally associated with the male sex. Yes ok This substance constitutes the main male hormone and is produced mainly in the testicles, the ovaries also have the ability to manufacture them in very small quantities.
This hormone, present even before birth, is responsible for male sexual development promoting the growth of male sexual organs, muscle growth, the appearance of body hair and the development of deep voice.
Once the man has fully developed, reaching adulthood, testosterone maintains its activity, participating in a multitude of bodily processes and functions. This includes, from the mechanisms most obviously related to it, such as sexual capacity, desire and the formation of sperm ; to others in which his role is traditionally less known.
These activities of the body in which testosterone is involved include:
How does testosterone work in women?
As mentioned previously, testosterone is a mainly male hormone, its concentration in plasma being ten times higher in men than in women. However, the female sex is much more sensitive to its effects.
Broadly speaking, the effects of testosterone in women are related to certain aspects of behavior and physical appearance. As in men, testosterone It is highly involved in libido levels and sexual desire, to the point of qualitatively improving sexual relations.
On the other hand, this hormone also helps in the development of bones, providing a stronger bone structure and a robust and resistant muscle mass.
However, there are many other functions and female body dynamics in which testosterone is involved, with an increasing number of empirical studies trying to establish these associations.
For example, one of these studies carried out by the University of Florida revealed data in favor of the hypothesis that in many cases when women unconsciously perceive that other women are ovulating, increase your testosterone peaks, increasing levels of sexual desire and causing more intense orgasms. This fact contains an evolutionary component, whereby when a woman noticed that another woman was in a fertile state, she became a rival when it came to reproducing, so the increase in testosterone facilitated sexual relations with men of the same age. cluster.
Finally, other studies related to human sexual behavior have found a series of associations between high levels of testosterone and an increase in masturbation, as well as an increase in behaviors considered risky.
All this means that the influence of testosterone on sexual and other non-sexual behaviors in both men and women is evident. However, there is still much to investigate to be able to affirm this conclusively.
Its health benefits
Throughout the article it has been commented, on several occasions, that the effects of testosterone go beyond those related to sexual desire and performance. Furthermore, it also exerts a great influence on physical performance, fat production and distribution, and cardiovascular functioning
1. Physical energy and fatigue
Testosterone levels are directly related to the physical sensation of fatigue and tiredness, so the lower a person’s testosterone levels, the greater the feeling of tiredness.
2. Body fat distribution
Numerous studies have established evidence that Low testosterone levels linked to higher body fat, which tends to accumulate especially in the abdomen. In this way, a high body mass index, together with a high abdominal circumference, can be synonymous with an alteration in testosterone production.
3. Muscle mass
Testosterone is included in the group of anabolic hormones, so the consumption of free testosterone favors the creation of muscle proteins, which enhance the development of muscle volume.
4. Cardiovascular functioning
Low testosterone levels have traditionally been considered a risk factor for developing hypertension. In the same way, optimal levels of this hormone favor the control of triglycerides, also regulating cholesterol problems.
What happens when this hormone is produced in excess?
High levels of testosterone can cause a large number of physical and behavioral alterations in both men and women.
1. Consequences in men
High blood levels of testosterone in men They may be due to diseases such as hyperthyroidism, a tumor of the adrenal gland or as consequences of excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco and steroids.
As a consequence, the following symptoms may develop:
2. Consequences in women
In the same way, abnormally high levels of testosterone in women, or hyperandrogenism, organs due to conditions such as polycystic ovaries or adrenal diseases also can trigger a series of physical and health alterations These include:
