Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles and is responsible for the proper development of male sexual characteristics. It maintains muscle bulk, adequate levels of red blood cells, bone growth, a sense of well being and sexual function. It is also produced in the female as well and helps grow the secondary sexual characteristics in females. Its main role is as an estrogen precursor in females. It influences behaviour is both sexes.
Low testosterone levels occur naturally after 40, declining throughout life. There can be other causes also: injury or infection or loss of testicles, chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, genetic abnormalities, too much iron in the body, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, inflammatory diseases. The others are chronic illness, chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, stress, alcoholism and obesity (especially abdominal).
Low testosterone levels symptoms
- Decreased or loss of sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depressed
- Decreased sense of well being
- Difficulty concentrating
- A decrease in muscle mass
- Increase in body fat
- Possible mild anaemia
- Fragile bones
- A decrease in body hair
- Changes in cholesterol and lipid levels
High testosterone levels can be beneficial to men such as less likely to have high blood pressure, experience a heart attack, or fewer infections and they generally feel their health as good.
Higher levels can have bad effects on behaviour and indulgence in negative activities such as heavy drinking of alcohol, smoking heavily and more injuries which result in negative health outcomes.
There is very little known about introducing testosterone to women with loss or inadequate levels of testosterone. There are few clinical studies on results. Testosterone replacement has been used successfully in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The suggested problems relating to testosterone loss in females are bone loss, reduced sexual interest, loss of muscle mass in aging women. PMS and prone to autoimmune diseases.