Testosterone: its functions and effects on men and women

This hormone has functions that go far beyond sexuality and aggressiveness.

Hormones are a series of substances produced by the endocrine glands and have numerous functions in the body. One of the best known is testosterone, a predominantly male hormone.Testosterone is predominantly a male hormone, but it is also synthesized in women.

In spite of being one of the most studied hormones, there are many activities in the organism in which it is involved, as well as its benefits for health and the existing differences between men and women at the time of exerting its action.

What is testosterone and what is it used for?

Testosterone is a sex hormone, classified as a steroid, traditionally associated with the male sex. Although testosterone is a sex hormone, it is traditionally associated with the male sex. This substance is the main male hormone and is produced mainly in the testicles. and is produced mainly in the testicles, the ovaries also have the faculty to manufacture it in very small quantities.

This hormone, present even before birth, is responsible for male sexual development, is responsible for male sexual developmentThis hormone, present even before birth, is responsible for male sexual development, promoting the growth of the male sexual organs, the growth of muscles, the appearance of body hair and the development of the gravity of the voice.

Once the male has fully developed, once the adult phase has arrived, testosterone maintains its activity, being involved in a multitude of bodily processes and functions. This includes the mechanisms most obviously related to testosterone, such as sexual capacity, desire and sperm formation. the formation of spermatozoato others in which its role is traditionally less well known.

These activities of the body in which testosterone is involved include:

• Helps develop muscle toning and facilitates recovery after aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
• It boosts the production of red Blood cells.
• It favors memory processes.
• Improves kidney function.
• Prevents the development of diseases such as osteoporosis.
• Increases bone mineral density.

How does testosterone act in women?

As mentioned above, testosterone is mainly a male hormone, and its plasma concentration is 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 is highly implicated in the is highly implicated in libido levels. and sexual desire, to the point of qualitatively improving sexual relations.

Moreover, this hormone also cooperates in bone development, providing a stronger bone structure and a robust and resistant muscle mass.

However, there are many other female body functions and dynamics in which testosterone is involved, and the number of empirical studies trying to establish these associations is increasing.

For example, one such study conducted by the University of Florida revealed data in favor of the hypothesis that in many cases, when women unconsciously perceive testosterone in their bodies, they may be more likely to be more likely to perceive testosterone in their bodies. when women unconsciously perceive that other women are ovulating, their testosterone peaks increase.In many cases, when women unconsciously perceive that other women are ovulating, their 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 that the increase in testosterone facilitated sexual relations with the men in the group.

Finally, other studies related to human sexual behavior have found a series of associations between high testosterone levels 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 in evidence. However, there is still a lot of research to be done to be able to state 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. In addition, it also exerts a major influence on physical performance, fat production and distribution, and cardiovascular function..

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 sensation of tiredness.

2. Body fat distribution

Numerous studies have established evidence linking low testosterone levels low testosterone levels with a greater amount of body fat, which tends to accumulate in the body.which tends to accumulate mainly in the abdomen. Thus, an elevated body mass index, together with an elevated abdominal contour may 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 genesis of muscle proteins, which enhance the development of muscle volume.

4. Cardiovascular performance

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 too much of this hormone is produced?

High levels of testosterone can cause a large number of physical and behavioral alterations in both men and women.

1. Consequences in men

Elevated blood levels of testosterone in men may be due to diseases such as hyperthyroidism, a tumor of the adrenal gland may be due to diseases such as hyperthyroidism, a tumor of the adrenal gland or as a consequence of excessive or as a consequence of excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco and steroids.

As a consequence, the following symptoms may develop:

• Increased prostate size and urination problems.
• Increased production of body fat.
• Acne problems.
• Increased body hair growth.
• Fertility problems due to decreased sperm production.
• Mood alterations and mood swings.
• Aggressive and violent behavior.
• Increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Cardiovascular problems.

2. Consequences in women

Similarly, abnormally high levels of testosterone in women, or hyperandrogenism, organs due to conditions such as polycystic ovaries or adrenal disease can also trigger a series of physical and health alterations. can also trigger a series of physical and health disorders.. These include:

• Alterations in the menstrual cycle such as oligomenorrhea.
• Acne and skin problems.
• Hirsutism, or increased body hair.
• Hair loss or alopecia.
• Virilization symptoms such as clitoral enlargement, deep voice or breast atrophy.