Male sex hormones, or androgens, are specific chemical substances that affect functioning of all organs, systems and processes in the human body.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone that is present in both men and women.
Importance andinfluence of testosterone is difficult to overestimate. It has to be present in any organism: its norm for men and women is different, but healthy sexual development is impossible without it.
Bound + free testosterone = total testosterone
Total testosterone consists of:
- 2% of the hormone in a free (unbound) state;
- 44% of the hormone bound by globulin (SHBG);
- 54% - with albumins and other proteins.
The main male sex hormone mainly remains in a bound state. Free and bound to albumin hormone is biologically active. At the same time, SHBG slows down its activity.
Free testosterone in men and women is an active form of the hormone. Its deficiency leads to impotence. It determines the development of secondary sexual characteristics and sexual drive.
Men most commonly have deficiency of the hormone in an active form. It leads to:
- reduction of muscle and bone tissue density;
- disturbance of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism;
- development of cardiac and psycho-emotional disorders.
We will consider further, how to increase testosterone in men.
In women, on the contrary, an excess of this hormone is more common. It provokes excessive growth of dark, firm and long hair in male pattern (on the face, chest and so on). In the article we will pay special attention to the issue, how to reduce the level of this hormone in women.
How to pass analysis on testosterone properly
In order to give blood for this hormone and obtain reliable results, it is important not to drink alcohol and avoid smoking before the procedure. As for the food, it is not allowed to eat and drink anything besides plain water for 12 hours before the analysis performance.
Women, whose testosterone norm varies on different days of the menstrual cycle, have to pass the analysis on the 6-7th day.
Functions and the effect of this hormone on the male and female body are different.
Testosterone in men: norm and deviations
Male sex hormones play an important role in the normal functioning of the body:
— stimulate development of the genitals (penis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostatic gland);
— form physical, mental and behavioral characteristics in male pattern (masculinity);
— regulate spermatogenesis;
— stimulate sexual manifestations.
The amount of this hormone in the body determines its external male, distinct from female, characteristics: broad shoulders, narrow hips, sexual orientation, possibility of the offspring occurrence, active metabolism and so on.
Decreased testosterone level in men
Reduction of this hormone level in the medicine is called hypogonadism. There are
- primary hypogonadism - impaired testicular hormone production;
- secondary hypogonadism - reduced production of hormones by the pituitary gland, which stimulate the synthesis of testosterone in the testes.
Causes of hypogonadism
— Psychological. For example, adrenaline, which is released under stress, suppresses production of the hormone.
— Excessive consumption of certain beverages (fizzy drinks, vegetable oils, fatty milk, alcohol) and products (salt, sugar, caffeine, soy, fast food, food with high cholesterol).
— Side effects of some drugs or medical intervention.
— Traumas of male genitalia.
— Inactive lifestyle.
— — Age. In men, older than 30 years the hormone level is decreased by 1-2%.
What diseases involve reduction of testosterone production?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
- Arterial hypertension.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Hepatic cirrhosis and chronic alcoholism.
- Atherosclerosis.
Symptoms of low testosterone level in men:
- absence or insufficient amount of hair on chest and face;
- fatty deposits;
- muscle tone weakening;
- breast growth (gynecomastia);
- periodic unexplainable face and chest reddening, hot flashes;
- increased sweating;
- shortness of breath;
- decreased libido and potency;
- deterioration of intellectual abilities.
Men, who have low level of this hormone, become bald rarely.
Since testosterone is the male sex hormone, in case of detection of the several listed symptoms, consult an endocrinologist. Under no circumstances carry out self-treatment!
Low testosterone - consequences for man:
- development of osteoporosis - thinning of bone tissue;
- psychological instability - anxiety, frequent mood swings, and sometimes a lack of interest in life;
- serious sexual disorders;
- absent-mindedness and forgetfulness;
- sleep disturbance;
- probability of diabetes development;
- risk of stroke and heart attack.
How to increase testosterone in men?
It is not possible to win the battle against age-related decline of male sex hormone. But low level can and even should be raised up to the normal values.
There are a lot of answers to the question, how to increase the hormone level. First of all, doctors recommend to pay attention to a proper nutrition. A diverse diet, rich in vitamins and minerals (especially zinc) has a beneficial effect on the level increasing.
Low testosterone level in men can be increased by following a healthy lifestyle.
How to increase the hormone level without drugs?
Good quality sleep: when you sleep, endocrine system increases the amount of melatonin, somatotropin and testosterone. An involuntary erection shortly before wakening indicates an increased production of the last one.
Is it possible to increase the low level of the hormone in men using drugs?
Yes, it is possible. If you have a low level of testosterone - do not worry! Early treatment will eliminate the problem.
Modern medicine knows how to increase testosterone. Treatment of a low hormone level is carried out with:
- intramuscular injections;
- testosterone patch (it is worn on the body or directly on the scrotum);
- testosterone gel;
- mucoadhesive drugs (placed over the upper teeth twice a day);
- oral medications.
Medicamentous increase of the hormone helps to normalize level of the male sex hormone.
Each of these methods of treatment ensures the required level of hormone replacement therapy.
However, each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor to learn how to increase the hormone level.
estosterone therapy is contraindicated in patients with prostate cancer. Prior to treatment, go through screening for cancer, rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen test.
Increased testosterone level in men
The more the better or how to increase testosterone level in a healthy man?
Some men are looking for ways to increase the hormone level, erroneously believing that this will give them courage and strength. In the Internet it is possible to find a lot of suggestions about how to raise the hormone level with magic pills and powders. Be careful: level of the male hormone above normal provokes negative consequences! Before application check with your doctor.
Too elevated level of this hormone violates the structure of cell membranes, activates killer proteins and causes DNA fragmentation.
Too high testosterone level: external signs
- aggression episodes;
- hyperexcitability;
- increased hairiness;
- purulent acne.
Man, whose testosterone production is too high, is bent on self-destruction.
Increased testosterone level in men can cause testicular atrophy. The point is that the body neutralizes the action of male sex glands while independently trying to balance the amount of male sex hormone. Over time this may lead to a reduction of testicular function.
The hormone that appears in the body by artificial means (for example, one that is used to build muscle mass), affects the self-production of the male hormone by the body.
Increased level of the male testosterone in boys is observed in case of premature sexual maturation.
How to lower testosterone in men?
First of all, consult your doctor. Self-treatment can aggravate the condition and lead to irreversible processes.
It is possible to switch to a low-carb diet with a limited amount of fat. Vegetables and not too sweet fruits have a positive effect on the testosterone reduction.
Regular physical exercise and walks in the fresh air will also help to normalize the amount of the hormone in the body.
Testosterone analysis in men
Men who have the following problems must undergo the analysis:
- decreased libido;
- violation of potency;
- chronic prostatitis;
- primary and secondary hypogonadism;
- osteoporosis;
- excessive exercise.
After passing the analysis and identifying deviations from the norm, the doctor will prescribe a personalized treatment. Only the doctor can tell you how to increase the hormone level or decrease its amount, based on your test results.
Testosterone in men: norm - 10-40 nmol/l.
Hormone level during the life:
Hormone level during the day
Testosterone in women
Male sex hormone is present in the female body, but in smaller amount. It is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal cortex.
This hormone is important for the process of follicles development in the ovaries. During adolescence in girls in the maturing follicle cells, the male hormone transforms into estrogen, which influences the development of the mammary glands. In puberty there is a significant increase of the male sex hormone.
"Male" testosterone in women performs the following functions:
- follicle development in the ovaries;
- normalization of bone marrow and sebaceous glands performance;
- mood enhancement;
- skeletal development, and much more.
Increased testosterone in women
Increased release of this hormone by the adrenal glands causes disturbance of the ovarian generative function (development and maturation of the female reproductive cells), which can lead to the occurrence of masculine traits in women. Hormone level increase is called hyperandrogenism. High hormone level in women is more common than in men. There are adrenal hyperandrogenism and hyperandrogenism of ovarian genesis (origin).
Causes of the increased hormone level in women:
- improper diet;
- intensified functioning of adrenal glands;
- genetic predisposition.
External signs of hyperandrogenism:
- increased hair growth in unusual for women areas;
- loss of hair on the head;
- acneiform rash (acne);
- male outlines;
- enlarged clitoris.
Increased hormone level can lead to:
- suppression of ovarian function;
- menstruation rhythm disturbance or complete termination;
- termination and a complete absence of ovulation (anovulation);
- increased risk of diabetes mellitus;
- problems with carrying a child;
- increased risk of childbirth complications;
- infertility.
If you have found in yourself one or more of these signs, it is still not a 100% guarantee of the disease. Many women with masculine features and enhanced "hairiness" on the face do not necessarily have hyperandrogenism infertility. And sometimes even women who look feminine may have this disease.
Testosterone during pregnancy
During pregnancy women have naturally increased levels of the hormone: placenta produces an additional portion of the male hormone.
Excessive hormone level during pregnancy is critical in the 4-8th and 13-20th weeks: there is a high risk of miscarriage during this period. By the third trimester it reaches the peak.
During pregnancy, elevated level of this hormone in women is normal. But for a normal gestation it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of all hormones in the female body.
How to lower testosterone?
Everyone knows that it is easier and faster to treat a disease at the initial stage of its development. At the first suspicions refer to a gynecologist, who can direct you to the analysis.
If the analysis confirms the increase of the hormone level, the doctor will prescribe a medicamentous treatment. Self-treatment of testosterone production with hormonal drugs is extremely dangerous.
What foods contribute to the hormone level reduction?
- sugar;
- natural juice;
- honey;
- vegetable oil;
- roasted vegetables, potatoes, meat;
- salt (norm - 3 grams per day);
- white yeast bread;
- fat milk and cream;
- caffeine (norm - a cup of coffee per day);
- soy products.
When hormone level in women returns to normal, doctors recommend to monitor the amount of testosterone production in the future. The matter is that after the completion of medication reception, the level increasing may start again.
Low level of testosterone in women
Symptoms:
- "frigidity";
- sexual weakness or total absence of orgasm;
- constant feeling of slackness, low resistance to stress factors;
- reduction of muscle mass and physical strength.
How to increase the hormone level?
First you need to change the diet: exclude coffee and alcohol, increase amount of meat, poultry, fish, as well as vegetables and fruits.
Do not forget about getting enough sleep - 8 hours per day.
These seemingly simple guidelines will help to normalize the testosterone level.
In any case, for the qualified advice on how to increase testosterone, consult a gynecologist or endocrinologist, which if necessary will assign you a proper treatment. Keep in mind that the treatment is determined depending on the individual case, so advices from "experienced" girlfriends about raising the testosterone level may not be appropriate for you.
Testosterone analysis in women
The analysis shows the amount of male sex hormone in the woman's body. After passing theblood for testosterone, you will be able to identify possible diseases in the body.
The analysis is prescribed in the following cases:
- excretion with feces of a large amount of undigested starch, more frequently in case of hypercatharsis (amylorrhea);
- benign growths in the muscle layer of the uterus (uterine fibroid);
- menstrual disorders, particularly oligomenorrhea or anovulation;
- polycystic ovary syndrome, and so on.
Testosterone in women: norm - 0.7-3 nmol/l.
During the ovulation period the amount of hormone increases, while during menopause it reduces. The optimal time to be tested for the male hormone is 6-7th-day of the cycle.
