Testosterone is a sexual steroid hormone, fundamental in the male body. The characteristics we generally associate with men depend on it.
This hormone is responsible for defining sex in the baby, as it is the one that causes the formation of the male reproductive system. It also depends on the development of muscle and bone mass and the growth of body hair.
In adults, it is responsible for maintaining and augmenting libido. But not only that, as this hormone plays an important role in overall health and well-being.
We usually associate testosterone with men, but women also produce this hormone. However, its concentration in blood plasma in an adult man is ten times higher than the plasma concentration of an adult woman. Moreover, since metabolic testosterone consumption in men is higher, daily production is approximately 20 times higher in men.
Age is another factor that influences the presence of testosterone. It decreases with age by about 2% each year from 30 or 40. This is a natural process related to aging, but also some diseases or treatments can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels.
Hypogonadism, lack of testosterone
When these levels are too low, so-called hypogonadism occurs, affecting 5 men out of 1,000, according to data from the British public health system.
Symptoms of a low level of testosterone can include fatigue and lethargy, states of depression, anxiety, irritability, lower sexual desire, or the onset of sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction or impotence. Men with low levels of testosterone also show less exercise tolerance and less strength. Other symptoms of hypogonadism can cause the beard to grow more slowly, excessive sweating and night sweats, or difficulties in concentration or memory.
Its onset may also be related to obesity and type 2 diabetes. To know if there are cases of hypogonadism, we can perform a series of blood tests and observe their evolution. Hypogonadism can be treated with hormone supplements.
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