The majority of testosterone produced in the ovary is converted to the principle female sex hormone, oestradiol. Testosterone is linked to many of the changes seen in boys during puberty (including an increase in height, body and pubic hair growth, enlargement of the penis, testes and prostate gland, and changes in sexual and aggressive behaviour). Regarding mental health, testosterone may help certain people with their depression symptoms; this is especially important for patients with hypogonadism, such as elderly people, for whom testosterone replacement therapy may be quite beneficial . Additionally, there is a significant correlation between bone density and testosterone levels; a decrease in testosterone can result in decreased bone density . Further research will better define the function of testosterone in both healthy and deficient men, which will eventually result in more accurate and successful treatment plans. Descriptive, observational, and experimental studies including healthy men-more especially, those assessing the effects of testosterone therapy-were required for inclusion. Your doctor will monitor your blood levels and symptoms to minimize any potential risks. These include adult-type body odor, increased oiliness of skin and hair, acne, pubarche (appearance of pubic hair), axillary hair (armpit hair), growth spurt, accelerated bone maturation, and facial hair. As the metabolism of testosterone in males is more pronounced, the daily production is about 20 times greater in men. If you think you may have symptoms of low testosterone or excess testosterone, talk to your healthcare provider. Testosterone levels in males naturally decline with age. This is called androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and occurs when someone is genetically male but is insensitive to androgens (male sex hormones). The symptoms of low testosterone vary based on your age. In female adults, high levels of testosterone may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Men may start to notice natural signs of lower testosterone as they approach their 40s—and our modern lifestyle only makes things worse. It can also lead to mood swings, aggression, and acne and breast tissue growth (gynecomastia), so medical supervision is important to minimize risks. It’s typically elevated from testosterone boosters for physical strength—and this has a downside. Atlantic Health urologist Varun Vijay, MD, answers some of men’s most common questions about this important hormone. Testosterone is also converted to estradiol in adipose tissue (and to a lesser extent in some other tissues), which is the most important source of estrogen in men. Although testosterone itself has androgenic actions, its conversion to dihydrotestosterone is critical to the development of external genitalia in boys. However, testosterone proved to be more potent than androsterone, which was later shown to be a biochemical product (a metabolite) of testosterone. Testosterone can be managed by a primary care physician, endocrinologist, or urologist depending on their expertise. Testosterone is synthesized in the body from cholesterol. If you thought testosterone was only important in men, you'd be mistaken. Testosterone may also help maintain normal mood. A 2018 study in 60 children found that testosterone levels in the womb may also affect how your right and left brain function. However, there’s no official consensus on healthy testosterone levels. For men who clearly have testosterone deficiency, there is no apparent increased risk of heart attack or stroke or greater chance of developing a new prostate cancer from testosterone replacement therapy. Men can often feel a big difference when they stop therapy because their body's testosterone production has not yet recovered. The ongoing pharmaceutical marketing blitz promises that low-T treatment can make men feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, and sexually functional. Sign up for HEALTHBeat and receive trusted health information delivered right to your inbox. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! However, the optimal amount of testosterone is far from clear. For example, the genitals may not enlarge, facial and body hair may be scant, and the voice may not deepen normally. Adolescent boys with too little testosterone may not experience normal masculinization. A "feedback loop" closely regulates the amount of hormone in the blood. Signals sent from the brain to the pituitary gland at the base of the brain control the production of testosterone in men.
