Your Guide to What Testosterone Is and What It Does for Your Body

Your Guide to What Testosterone Is and What It Does for Your Body

See your doctor if you think you might have low levels of testosterone. A blood test can determine your testosterone levels and help diagnose underlying conditions. Testosterone deficiency during fetal development doesn’t allow male characteristics to develop normally. This is called androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and occurs when someone is genetically male but is insensitive to androgens (male sex hormones). Lower-than-normal testosterone levels typically only cause symptoms in males. However, the majority of testosterone produced in the ovaries is converted to the primary female sex hormone, estradiol. Some athletes and bodybuilders misuse synthetic testosterone (anabolic steroids) by taking very high doses of them in an attempt to does running boost testosterone performance or change their physical appearance.

Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, as well as in other animals. Women’s ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts. Men and women need the proper amount of testosterone to develop and function normally. Formal informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. All the individuals who participated in this study were adults, and they willingly participated in this study. They were assured that their information would be kept anonymous and that the obtained results would only be used for the research. Flow diagram of study participants according to CONSORT guidelines29.

Testosterone is one of over sixty chemical messengers (hormones) in the body that regulate all our critical functions. Hormones such as testosterone enter the bloodstream and seek out their receptor cells for binding to engage their actions. While testosterone plays a role in sperm production, supplementing with testosterone actually decreases sperm production and can impact fertility, Dr. Patel says. So, it’s important to talk to your doctor before using testosterone therapies. Testosterone plays a role in bone density and maintaining bone health.

And just as happens for men, women’s testosterone levels drop as they age. Testosterone levels in the blood are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone which tells the pituitary gland to release a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). When LH reaches the testis, it causes the production of testosterone. Speaking with a healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or beginning any medical treatment for low testosterone levels is essential. Hormone replacement therapy can have potential risks and side effects, and it is essential to monitor testosterone levels regularly to ensure safety and effectiveness.

But bodybuilders take supraphysiologic doses of it—that is, amounts much higher than any woman’s body would ever make on its own. When experts prescribe testosterone to postmenopausal women, it is intended to replicate the amount a younger woman makes, and taking too much can lead to an array of unpleasant side effects. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men.

Testosterone hormone function in females is not very different from that in males. You will find that many of the same actions of testosterone occur in females, so we will not duplicate those answers here. Any time you’re worried about your sex drive or your ability to get an erection, or you just feel tired or down all the time (or you have any of the symptoms listed above), you should talk to your primary care doctor. Here’s what you should know about testosterone’s main functions and what can affect your T levels.

Hormonal balance, including optimal testosterone levels, is pivotal in preserving overall health and well-being across various physiological systems. Testosterone, predominantly recognized as a male sex hormone, is also present in females, albeit in smaller quantities, exerting multifaceted effects on both genders6. In males, testosterone is integral to the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair growth and deepening of the voice, as well as supporting reproductive function. Moreover, testosterone influences mood regulation, cognitive function, and bone density, contributing to psychological and skeletal health7,8. In females, while estrogen and progesterone are primary sex hormones, testosterone contributes to libido, energy levels, and overall vitality9.

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is essential to the development of male growth, per Harvard Medical School. In men, the hormone is produced mainly in the testes, but testosterone isn’t exclusive to males alone. “It is also secreted by the ovaries and adrenal glands of women,” says Cynthia Stuenkel, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine.