Low testosterone? Here’s what can help.
Low testosterone? Here’s what can help.
You’ve probably heard of testosterone, the “male” hormone that makes men look like, well, men! Testosterone plays a role in regulating sex drive, genital development, body hair, muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, height, deepening of the voice and the production of sperm. In men, Leydig cells produce testosterone in the testicles, although the adrenal glands are responsible for a small percentage.
Testosterone can also influence behaviors such as competitiveness and aggression — which explains why young males often do dumb things and end up getting hurt!
But did you know that women have testosterone in their bodies too? Women’s normal testosterone levels are much lower than the levels found in men’s bodies. The ovaries produce most of women’s testosterone, and as in men, the adrenal glands pitch in. In women, testosterone affects libido (sex drive), bone mass, red blood cell production, reproduction and cognitive health.
Testosterone Levels in Men and Women
According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone levels in both genders is highest during the teen and young adult years, and then it gradually drops as we age. It’s normal for testosterone levels to fall below healthy levels as we age in both men and women, but sometimes levels can dip below normal ranges before old age sets in, a condition called hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency syndrome.
It is rare for men to have testosterone levels that are too high, but it can happen in women. Symptoms of too much testosterone in women include excess body hair, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, low libido, decreased breast size and deepening of the voice.
A simple blood test is the first step in determining if your testosterone levels are too low or high. You may hear about free and total testosterone levels, so your doctor will help you learn the difference.