Testosterone is a hormone that is naturally produced in the human body. Even though it is known as the primary male sex hormone, it is also found in women, though at much smaller amounts. It is primarily produced in the testes in men, and in the ovaries and the adrenal glands in women.
What are the Roles of Testosterone in Men and Women?
Testosterone plays numerous roles in men and women, starting from fetal stage and through puberty and adulthood.
In men, it helps in:
- Regulating sex drive or libido
- Distribution of body fat
- Production of sperm
- Development of muscles and bones
- Production of new red blood cells
In boys who enter puberty, testosterone is especially important for the following functions:
- Increase in size of the penis and the testicles
- Development of the prostate
- Growth of body hair, such as facial hair and pubic hair
- Deepening of the voice
- Increase in height
In women, testosterone is necessary for:
- Sex drive or libido
- Mood
- Growth and development of the female reproductive tissues, such as the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and mammary glands
- Bone density and muscle mass
- Energy, stamina, and endurance
- Menstrual cycles
- Mood
It usually works alongside estrogen, which is the primary female sex hormone, to accomplish these tasks.
What are the Normal Testosterone Levels in Men and Women?
The normal testosterone values in men and women vary according to age.
Men
- From 0 to 5 months: 75 to 400 nanograms per deciliter
- From 6 months to 9 years: <7 to 20 nanograms per deciliter
- From 10 to 14 years: <7 to 1,200 nanograms per deciliter
- From 15 to 18 years: 100 to 1,200 nanograms per deciliter
- From 19 to 30 years: 240 to 950 nanograms per deciliter
- From 30 to 40 years: 600 to 675 nanograms per deciliter
- From 40 to 50 years: 500 to 550 nanograms per deciliter
- From 50 to 60 years: 400 to 450 nanograms per deciliter
- 60 years and older: 300 to 350 nanograms per deciliter
- Average male adult: 300 to 1,050 nanograms per deciliter
Women
- From 0 to 5 months: 20 to 80 nanograms per deciliter
- From 6 months to 9 years: <7 to 20 nanograms per deciliter
- From 10 to 11 years: <7 to 44 nanograms per deciliter
- From 12 to 16 years: <7 to 75 nanograms per deciliter
- From 17 to 18 years: 20 to 75 nanograms per deciliter
- 19+ years: 8 to 60 nanograms per deciliter
- 60 years and older: 35 nanograms per deciliter
- Average female adult: 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter
What is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone happens when your testosterone levels fall below the normal testosterone levels. It can be caused by a variety of factors and can bring about different signs and symptoms.
Some of the common causes of low testosterone are:
- Injury to the testicles that disrupts the blood supply
- Infection, such as orchitis, which is caused by a virus or bacteria that causes an inflammation of the testicles
- Growth of tumors in the testicles, pituitary glands, prostate, and other organs
- Undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- Hemochromatosis, which is a condition characterized by having very high levels of iron in the body
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Kidney failure
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- HIV, which is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus that weakens the immune system
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Exposure to radiation
Once your testosterone levels drop, you may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Reduced libido or sexual desire
- Trouble getting an erection or keeping an erection for sex
- Impaired memory and concentration
- Increased anxiety, stress, and depression
- Muscle and bone loss
- Weight gain or increased body fat
- Reduced sperm count, which can eventually lead to infertility
- Osteoporosis and other bone disorders
- Decrease in body hair or hair loss
- Mild anemia or low red blood cell count
How is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?
The widely used method for low testosterone diagnosis is called testosterone level test. It is a blood test that determines how much testosterone there is in your body based on your blood sample. It is recommended that you do it in the morning, sometime between 7 am and 10 am, as the body’s testosterone levels are at their highest during these hours of the day.
What Treatment Options are Available to Cure Low Testosterone?
If you are diagnosed with low testosterone, your doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy. Nowadays, there are many different ways to administer this treatment, such as:
1. Intramuscular injections
These are testosterone injections that are injected straight into a muscle every two or so weeks.
2. Skin patches
These are patches that contain testosterone, and they are applied onto the skin daily, usually on the arms, shoulders, buttocks, abdomen, and back, to absorb testosterone into the bloodstream.
3. Gels
These are applied onto the skin, such as the arms or back, to allow testosterone to be absorbed by the body.
4. Pellets
These are administered by inserting them under the skin every one or two months.
What are the Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Once you start your testosterone replacement therapy, you may start noticing positive changes in no time, such as:
- Improved libido or sex drive
- Better penile performance
- Increased energy levels and muscle and bone strength
- Reduced stress and anxiety
However, you also have to be careful about possible negative side effects that may arise, including oily skin and acne, decrease in testicular size, sleep apnea, fluid retention that may cause swelling in your ankles, and tenderness in the breast. You have to go see your doctor right away to remedy the problem.
