The Testosterone Plays a fundamental role in the body, especially in the male, which is associated with virility thanks to this hormone. However, its effects and skills go beyond the development of masculinity.
Next we will develop everything you need to know about testosterone, trying to clarify myths and curiosities that are born around them, as well as dedicate a section on the role they play in women.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a Steroid hormone Of the group of Androgens Which is found in both humans and other vertebrates (mammals, birds or reptiles).
It is primarily secreted in mammals (including humans) in the testicles and prostate of the male and, to a much lesser extent, in the ovaries of females. The reticular area of the Kidney glands Are another source of testosterone.
This means that testosterone is more important in the male body than in the female. While the concentration in the plasma of the man goes of the 30 to 120 nanograms, in the women the interval oscillates between the 3 and 9,5 nanograms.
Natural Effects of Testosterone
Testosterone has effects on our health from the prenatal stage, more or less after 4 weeks, where virilization of the genitals (scrotal augmentation, phallic formation) and development of the prostate and seminal vesicles occur.
Once we are born, the levels of testosterana rise, being from the 4 and 6 months when they begin to be detectable. It will no longer take relevance until the stage of prepubertad, where the testosterone provokes the increase of the hair, the appearance of hair axillary and of pins or mustache and an acceleration in the bony anatomy.
When it reaches puberty, facial and pubic hair appears and spreads, the libido It increases, the voice changes tone, the nut of the throat develops, man becomes fertile, expands the chest box and the shoulders are expanded and psychologically adopted a more active and aggressive attitude. All this occurs because testosterone seeks to regulate itself, being determinant in this hormonal change so significant.
Sexual development in the individual is noteworthy since interest in sex and romantic relationships go hand in hand with testosterone levels in both men and women. Sexual arousal will be higher depending on the individual's testosterone peaks, which may be exposed to multiple erotic stimuli such as a conversation with a woman or viewing an erotic movie.
When they are already in the adult stage, the levels can only decrease, so keeping the levels at a good level is synonymous with a Quality life .
Studies
Below we will list a series of studies to try to better understand the importance of testosterone in our body.
Alzheimer's
The Prevention of alzheimer's disease Is another reason why maintaining adequate levels of testosterone becomes essential. Several are the research Developed since the beginning of the century in which it is shown that increased neuronal death or cognitive disorders are directly linked to low levels of testosterone.
Anemia
A study Developed in Italy concluded that testosterone levels in adults were one of the important causes of people suffering from anemia. The hypothesis indicates that men and women with low testosterone levels were more likely to develop anemia.
Osteoporosis
Derived from hypogonadism we find the osteoporosis . Disease caused by many causes, but found in the low levels of testosterone one of its best allies for its development. The medicine uses drugs rich in testosterones to fight it.
Obesity
A diet high in fats causes that the levels of testosterone are reduced, diminishing in turn the muscular mass, also leading to diseases like the obesity . Maintaining adequate levels of this hormone helps to distribute fat better and therefore maintain body wellness.
Type 2 Diabetes and Arterial Diseases
Testosterone helps regulate arterial disease and type 2 diabetes. This could be shown in A study In which testosterone was administered to middle-aged men, which lowered the concentrations of glucose in fat and viscera and experienced an increase in coronary blood flow.
Sports performance
Testosterone is closely associated with increased sports performance and competition. Although there are detractors about this, we can extract a Interesting study , In which participants were taken to six university tennis players, testosterone levels were assessed and what role they played during matches. The results were very favorable for those players who had the highest levels.
Later, in the section of 'curiosities', you will find one that shows that sports performance finds a great ally in testosterone.
Atherosclerosis
There is a belief that testosterone supplements increase the risk of suffering Atherosclerosis , But to date there is no scientific evidence to support this assumption.
Longevity
A good summary to explain the importance of testosterone, could be introduced citing a study In which it was concluded that male elders with lower than normal testosterone levels had a mortality rate of 34%, higher than 20% for those with normal levels.
How to boost testosterone?
Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, but can also be reduced through:
- Testicular Lesions
- Cancer treatment like chemotherapy
- Certain genetic disorders
- Obesity
- Inflammatory disease
- Illnesses such as HIV
- Consumption of certain drugs
If your testoterone levels are not at normal levels, going to the doctor and carrying out some treatment is more than necessary to lead a quality life. Some of the most common proposals that specialists usually recommend to combat this lack are:
Limit sugar
Consumption of sugar lowers testosterone. This is what the scientific journal publishes Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , Which ensures that a diet high in sugars decreases the levels of testosterone in our body.
Although sugar takes all of our critical thoughts right now, the truth is that where all the weight really falls is in us, trying to take a diet and a healthy life style .
Sleep well
Sleep quality is paramount so that testosterone levels do not drastically decrease. This statement is drawn from research conducted by scientists at the University of Chicago, who discovered that men with Sleep patterns (7-9 hours) increased their levels of the male hormone.
Take zinc
Zinc deficiency in the body can affect the cells in the testicles where testosterone is produced. Although its efficacy remains to be verified, supplementation conducted by a specialist can help restore normal levels of testosterone.
In a study On zinc and magnesium, it was found that men who were given 30 mg of zinc daily had higher testosterone levels than they had before the investigation.
Take vitamin D
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, the correlation between vitamin D levels and testosterone is quite high. The authors of the study found that participants with the highest levels in vitamin D Had higher levels of testosterone than those who suffered vitamin deficiency.
Supplements
Testosterone supplements can be purchased in pharmacies, specialty stores or online stores. In countries like Spain you need a prescription to be able to buy them in pharmacies, but doctors usually prefer other methods because of the side effects that these supplements produce. Depending on the quantity, brand or composition, its price can vary between 15 and 80 euros.
Side Effects of Testosterone
If by necessity or by personal wishes you decide to raise testosterone levels through pills or injections, consider the possible side effects that are exposed as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Continuous erection of the penis
- Enlargement of the clitoris
- Change in skin color
- Painful urination
- Dysfunctional problems, decreased sperm, impotence
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Appearance of acne
- Fecal problems
- Swelling in certain parts of the body such as ankles or feet
- Excessive hair growth
- Breast growth and menstrual changes
- Chest pain or sudden cough
- Blood clots in the legs
- Liver problems
- Numbness or tingly feeling
To avoid getting this situation, consult your doctor before making a decision.
Testosterone in women
The studies About testosterone reveal that levels of this hormone in women are up to 8 times lower than men.
Despite this, they have some importance within their body, and there are many studies that try to draw conclusions about the effects derived from testosterone in them.
According to one study , During pregnancy, testosterone is contraindicated, since its consumption can cause fetal malformations and other irreversible damages. At the same time, during breastfeeding, testosterone should also be avoided so that its side effects do not affect the mother and infant.
Along with estrogen and progesterone, female hormones, testosterone has a negative influence on the Polycystic ovary syndrome . This is a disease in which the imbalance of the female sex hormones cause changes in the menstrual cycle, make the possibility of pregnancy difficult and produce cysts in the ovaries.
The menopause , A period of menstrual cessation, is usually accompanied by symptoms that reduce the quality of life in women. Mood alterations, sweating, stress, decreased libido or even anxiety were some of these consequences that have long been treated with hormone therapy with testosterone.
This therapy was a success since it minimized the sequelae, but in a study Published in the scientific journal Archives of Internal , Diagnosed that the combination of estrogens and testosterone increased the risk of breast cancer by 77%. Subsequent studies have also mentioned the possibility of thrombosis undergoing this treatment.
According to one study In a team between the University of Chicago and Northwestern University in 2009, testosterone levels in women could influence when choosing a career or another. In the sample, they concluded that women with higher levels chose to choose more risky careers in the field of administration and finance than those with lower levels.
Curiosities
Since 1976, for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the gender difference in competitions does not depend on genitals, but on testoterone levels. A transgender who was born male can compete with women as long as their testosterone levels are less than 10 nanograms.
Following with the sport, the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibits consumption of testosterone or clenbuterol (anabolic that mimics it) as it promotes muscle growth. The exciclist Lance Amstrong mixed EPO with testosterone to perform more in competitions. Obviously their titles were withdrawn.
'Testosterone' (2000) refers to a novel written by the American James Robert Baker and then taken to the cinema by David Moreton.
The Argentine group of rock Bersuit Vergarabat , Published in 2005 its eighth disc, which was titled"Testosterone"
Bibliography
- Torjesen PA, Sandnes L (2004). "Testosterone serum in women as measured by an automated immunoassay and the RIA".
- Arner P (2004). Effects of testosterone on fat cell lipolysis. Species differences and possible role in polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Rulla M. Tamimi; Susan E. Hankinson; Wendy Y. Chen; Bernard Rosner; Graham A. Colditz, MD (2006) Combined Estrogen and Testosterone Use and Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women.
- Sapienza P, Zingales L, Maestripieri D (2009) Gender differences in financial risk aversion and career choices are affected by testosterone.
- Ferrucci L; Maggio M; Bandinelli, S; Basaria, S; Lauretani, F; Ble, A; Valenti, G; Ershler, WB; Guralnik M; Long, DL (2006) Low Testosterone Levels and the Risk of Anemia in Older Men and Women.
- Bhasin S (2003) Effects of Testosterone Administration on Fat Distribution, Insulin Sensitivity, and Atherosclerosis Progression.
- Shores MM, Matsumoto A, Sloan KL, Kivlahan DR (2006). Low serum testosterone and mortality in male veterans.
- Barron AM, Pike CJ (2012) Sex hormones, aging, and Alzheimer's disease..
- Booth A, Shelley G, Mazur A, Tharp G, Kittok R (1989) Hormones and behavior.
- Shine LR, Conte V (2000) Effects of a Novell Zinc-Magnesium Formulation on Hormones and Strength.