What Effect Does Testosterone Have on the Body

What is Testosterone? NRG Clinic: Leading in Hormone Therapy

Hormonal balance, including optimal testosterone levels, is pivotal in preserving overall health and well-being across various physiological systems. Testosterone, predominantly recognized as a male sex hormone, is also present in females, albeit in smaller quantities, exerting multifaceted effects on both genders6. In males, testosterone is integral to the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair growth and deepening of the voice, as well as supporting reproductive function. Moreover, testosterone influences mood regulation, cognitive function, and bone density, contributing to psychological and skeletal health7,8. In females, while estrogen and progesterone are primary sex hormones, testosterone contributes to libido, energy levels, and overall vitality9.

High testosterone can be caused by taking steroids or using testosterone replacement therapy without a doctor’s supervision. Testicular or adrenal tumors can cause excess testosterone production. The amount of testosterone in the bloodstream peaks in a man’s twenties. By age 30 or 35, testosterone levels decrease by about 1% each year. According to the Urology Care Foundation, about 50% of men over 80 have low testosterone.

In this account, ‘T’ becomes the potent, hormonal essence of competitive, risk-taking masculinity. Sex drive is a nonclinical term that means enthusiasm or interest in sexual activity. The presence of it (or lack thereof) can indicate the state of your mental and physical functioning.

Already, Dr. Reina-Campos has shown the power of spatial transcriptomics in studying T cells that fight pathogens in the gut. He has also developed a promising approach for powering up T cells to better fight tumors. “No one has ever profiled tissues like this before,” says Dr. Reina-Campos. “Spatial transcriptomics enables us to look at hundreds signs of low testosterone symptoms, https://www.texaspainphysicians.com/news/eetlustremmers_2.html, thousands of cells and thousands of genes in prostate tissues.”

Therefore, understanding the dynamics of testosterone in females, particularly in response to physical activity, is essential for designing effective, sex-specific exercise interventions. In adult men, low testosterone may lead to a reduction in muscle bulk, loss of body hair and a wrinkled ‘parchment-like’ appearance of the skin. Current research suggests that this effect occurs in only a minority (about 2%) of ageing men. However, there is a lot of research currently in progress to find out more about the effects of testosterone in older men and also whether the use of testosterone replacement therapy would have any benefits. While many scientific studies and huge amounts of data show the safety of supplemental testosterone in postmenopausal women, only about 50% of women who take it experience a significant increase in sex drive.

I see unambiguous evidence that it can account for some of the large and extremely impactful differences between men and women, particularly when it comes to sexual psychology and aggression. Its starting point is what the anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy has called the ‘coy female’ paradigm – the idea that asymmetries in what it costs females versus males to have babies make males more motivated by mating success. Males potentially invest as little as a sperm, while females contribute a nice plump egg and, in mammals, full bed-and-board in utero and lactation. Over evolutionary time, this means males will develop traits that help them fight for access to females, and appear more appealing to females browsing for their next mate. This case study belongs to a robust body of evidence that makes me sceptical of the significance of testosterone.

But bodybuilders take supraphysiologic doses of it—that is, amounts much higher than any woman’s body would ever make on its own. When experts prescribe testosterone to postmenopausal women, it is intended to replicate the amount a younger woman makes, and taking too much can lead to an array of unpleasant side effects. You see, while men have more of it, testosterone is not a “male hormone”—it is a human hormone that is just as important in women as it is in men.

No part of the company’s strategy involved dispensing androgen blockers to change levels of testosterone in men’s bodies. The focus was on collective goals, admitting and learning from errors, and disentangling notions of competence from displays of machismo. Asked to reflect on what being a man meant to them, the workers ended up describing manliness in non-stereotyped ways, often drawing on ideas of approachability, compassion and humility. In 2025, clinics like AlphaMan, a men’s health center specializing in hormone optimization, are rethinking how testosterone therapy fits into modern masculinity.

It can also lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of eight. It’s important to note that the normal ranges for testosterone levels can vary based on the type of blood test done and the laboratory where it is done. Your provider will always reference your laboratory’s normal ranges when interpreting your results. Levels are usually highest in the morning and decline during the day. Natural testosterone is a steroid — an anabolic-androgenic steroid.

And just as happens for men, women’s testosterone levels drop as they age. Testosterone levels in the blood are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus produces a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone which tells the pituitary gland to release a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). When LH reaches the testis, it causes the production of testosterone. Speaking with a healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or beginning any medical treatment for low testosterone levels is essential. Hormone replacement therapy can have potential risks and side effects, and it is essential to monitor testosterone levels regularly to ensure safety and effectiveness.