Testosterone on The Male Body: Testosterone (T) is a hormone that plays an important role in many physiological functions, including those related to fertility and desire. The biological effect of testosterone varies throughout life. Testosterone levels are highest in childhood. They decrease gradually after puberty and show little or no change during old age.
What are the effects of testosterone on the male body?
Testosterone is produced by the testes, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and brain. It is an essential male hormone. A male starts producing testosterone as early as a few weeks after being born.
Then testosterone levels tend to increase during the puberty stage and peak up at the late teen years before leveling off again until men reach their middle ages. This rise in T levels continues for about 10 years before starting its slow decline, which stops when they reach around 70 years of age.
During this period, it’s usually high enough to cause symptoms like acne, hirsutism, pubic hair growth, enlarged prostate, etc. However, most men have excess testosterone, but it is still possible to get all these signs if you have low T levels.
This hormone helps your muscles grow bigger. Also, it makes them stronger so that they can help you lift heavy weights faster. It allows bones to grow longer and thicker, making your skeleton denser. This helps protect your spine against fractures, among other benefits.
It regulates fat metabolism and helps make your skin look smoother, younger, and healthier. Even your nails become stronger because of testosterone. It also stimulates spermatogenesis and improves the quality of semen. And your erections get harder, thus increasing your libido.
How testosterone affects the reproductive system
Testosterone is critical in maintaining normal reproductive organ performance and functions through its control over the activity of specific target organs. Also, testosterone affects penis size and is of great importance in the growth and development of men’s testicles before and during the puberty stage of adolescence.
This hormone is responsible for developing male organs such as the penis, testes, seminal vesicles, and prostate. Moreover, it also aids in blood clotting, bone density, healthy immune system functioning, mood regulation, and energy expenditure. It also supports muscle mass and strength as well as lean muscle tissue.
Testosterone effects on desire and performance
Testosterone has a significant effect on the development of human intercourse behavior. As it plays a crucial role in initiating desire and interest in men and women activities. Furthermore, it also acts as a stimulant directly on the genitalia, causing an erection.
When T levels are too low, there will be no desire or interest to engage in intercourse. On the contrary, a man who suffers from low T levels may suffer from impotence problems. Low levels of testosterone are commonly associated with decreased libido and dysfunction.
So what do we know? Men with low testosterone levels suffer from physical and psychological problems related to lack of desire and lower self-confidence. They experience reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, decreased muscle tone and difficulties with erections.
How testosterone affects the endocrine system
Testosterone affects the endocrine system. It works together with gonadotropin-releasing hormones found in the hypothalamus to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
LH stimulates the Leydig cells located in testicles to produce testosterone. FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to produce inhibin B. Inhibin B is a protein made by the testes and blocks the action of FSH in ovaries. Thus, it keeps the ovaries from producing large amounts of estrogen and prevents premature development of secondary male characteristics.
Testosterone effects on muscle, weight and bones
These three major organs need an ample amount of testosterone to function properly. Testosterone helps to build lean muscle mass, maintain bone density, and prevent excess body fat accumulation. It not only provides basic building blocks required for these tissues but is also involved in regulating their metabolic rates.
When testosterone levels get low, individuals accumulate more fat and less muscle. Muscles can be converted into fat if the muscles do not have a sufficient oxygen supply. In contrast, in the case of fat getting converted to muscle, then lean mass increases.
Without a proper supply of nutrients, bones lose calcium and become brittle. Lack of testosterone leads to osteoporosis and fractures. If an adequate amount of this hormone is present, the body becomes resistant to disease and injury.
How testosterone affects the nervous system
This hormone controls the functions of the brain. The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord. The brain contains 2% of total body weight, while the spinal cord only comprises 1%.
However, the actual concentration of this hormone is around ten times higher than that in the brain. Its primary function is to regulate the body’s heartbeat, breathing rate, and various involuntary reactions. Testosterone in high enough levels also helps keep the brain active.
The role of testosterone in skin and hair health
It is important to note that skin and hair require normal T levels. Because of this, they respond positively to supplements. Testosterone supplementation can help improve skin health, reduce hair loss, promote hair growth, and strengthen hair.
As you age, your body begins to convert testosterone into estrogen, leading to thinning hair. Supplemental testosterone can block this conversion process and restore an individual’s natural hair growth cycle.
How testosterone affects blood
One of its main functions is the regulation of blood pressure. It regulates vasodilation (dilates blood vessels) and reduces vascular resistance. Testosterone works on the circulatory system by stimulating blood flow through arteries and veins. This ultimately allows the heart to pump more blood throughout the entire body.
Also Read – Using Foot Reflexology for Stress And Anxiety