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Testosterone: Male Hormones

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Testosterone is a male hormone produced in the testes under the control of the hypothalamus. The hormone is responsible for the development of male physical features and belongs to a group of hormones called androgens which are basically steroid hormones derived from cholesterol. It is required by males for the development sex organs. The production of the hormone peaks at puberty where is secretion triggers increase of penile and testes sizes. It also actuates the deepening of the voice, as well as the growth of pubic and chest hairs. Most importantly, it is the hormone responsible for muscle increase in males. Its production declines with age leading to notable drops on physical energy and virility.
Secretion of the hormone is regulated …show more content…

The amount secreted is markedly lower in females although this should not be taken to mean that it is not of much importance in the female body. Women need testosterone for bone strength and muscle development. The fact that women have much leaner muscles than their male counterparts is a possible explanation for the reduced amounts of testosterone they produce. Studies have also shown that the hormone is crucial for women’s general feeling, sex drive and libido (Schoenfeld, 2008). After menopause, testosterone production diminishes in women resulting in low sex drive. Even though the problem can be rectified by taking prescribed amounts of supplements or injections, studies have shown that the rectification of the problem requires a more comprehensive medication. Receptors of the hormone are found in the nipples and …show more content…

Hypogonadism is a condition characterized by the inability of the testes to produce testosterone. The condition also results when the pituitary gland is unable to release LH. Doctors most commonly recommend testosterone therapy which involves the ingestion or injection of testosterone into the body in specified doses as a treatment procedure for hypogonadism. According to Bassil, Alkaade, and Morley (2009), one of the most common effects of testosterone on males is improved sexual desire and performance. The researchers report that men exhibiting greater sexual activity have relatively higher amounts of testosterone than their counterpart who experience problems in their sex lives (Bassil et al., 2009). Ideally, testosterone deficiency is associated with men sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, and low libido. Furthermore, citing a research by Wang et al., Bassil et al. (2009) point out that the there is a threshold for the effects that when exceeded results into no notable effect on the men’s sexual

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