Testosterone: Everything You Need to Know About the Hormone and Your Health
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men, and it is responsible for the development of many of the physical characteristics that are considered typically male. Women also produce the hormone in much smaller amounts. Testosterone, part of a hormone class known as androgens, is produced by the testicles after stimulation by the pituitary gland, which is located near the base of the brain, and it sends signals to a male’s testicles (or to a woman’s ovaries) that spark feelings of sexual desire. (1)
The Role of Testosterone in Male Development and Health
In males, testosterone plays an important role in puberty, the time when a young man reaches sexual maturity and he can reproduce. The following changes typically happen during this life stage: (2)
- The penis and testicles grow
- Facial, pubic, and body hair develop
- The voice deepens
- Muscles and bones become stronger
- Height increases
After puberty, testosterone helps regulate the following bodily functions: (1)
- Production of red blood cells
- Bone density
- Fat distribution
- Muscle strength and mass
- Facial and body hair
- Sperm production
- Sex drive
What Happens When Testosterone Levels Are Low?
Testosterone levels gradually drop in men as a natural part of aging. By age 45, it starts falling by about 1 percent a year, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, but it is widely accepted that levels may start to decline when a man is in his thirties. (3)
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Shared from: Everyday Health
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