As illustrated by the website Drugs.com, the hormone testosterone is produced in normal amounts in the testes of men and in smaller amounts in the ovaries in women. Slightly higher than normal amount of testosterone in men can be helpful for certain endeavors, but if the level is too high, it can have damaging effects. Higher than normal levels can help men recover more quickly after lifting weights and can be an indicator of a healthy sex drive, but there can be serious repercussions if the levels are too high.
Depression
Depression is often viewed as a pervading sense of emotional sadness. It is different from the normal feelings of sadness in that it can last for lengthy amounts of time and can border on hopelessness. Depression also takes a toll on the normal functions of the body. These symptoms can include a loss of desire to eat, sore muscles, inability to sleep or over-sleeping, and drastic changes in weight (positive or negative). Depression can also take away one's ability to enjoy activities they would normally enjoy. When depression reaches this level, its time to seek out a trained medical professional for help. Higher than normal levels of testosterone can cause a hormone imbalance that leads to heavy depression.
Aggressiveness
Men with elevated levels of testosterone are also prone to over-aggression. They may be more volatile during confrontation, or aggressively escalate situations that might not normally call for it. The journal "PubMed" suggests that men with higher proven levels of testosterone should avoid confrontational situations.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity is a character trait in which people are more likely to act spontaneously and without much thought. Men with higher than normal levels of testosterone tend to exhibit more impulsivity than those with normal levels.
Anger
Elevated levels of testosterone causes some individuals to be angrier than others. Testosterone makes it more difficult for men to control their anger because their hormones are out of balance.
Mood Swings
Severe mood swings are often an indicator that a man has elevated testosterone levels. A person can be having a great time one moment and the next are lashing out at people around them. Confrontation may occur even without much provocation.
Shrinking Testicles
Aside from the emotional effects, elevated testosterone levels can kill the processes that happen within the testes, resulting in atrophy, where the testes actually get smaller. Shrinking testes requires a visit to the doctor immediately to prevent long-lasting damage. The Mayo Clinic states that those who are given prolonged testosterone therapy are more likely to see their testes shrink.
Lowered Sperm Count
Elevated levels of testosterone can reduce sperm count. The testes cannot function with too high an amount of testosterone and begin producing less. As such, sperm count is drastically reduced.
