According to the Discovery Health website, testosterone is one of the most misunderstood hormones in the body. Like most hormones, testosterone plays the role of messenger in the body. Testosterone is primarily a male hormone, responsible for development of male characteristics such as muscles, facial hair and aggression. But it also is present in women and plays a role in their development.
Functions
According to Chris Steidle, MD, testosterone is responsible for regulating sex drive, determining the sex of a baby before it is born, sperm production and sexual performance. It is also responsible for developing such characteristics as dominance, physical and emotional strength, deep voice, body and facial hair, muscle growth, body shape and body odor.
Misconceptions
Although testosterone is considered primarily a male hormone, it is also produced in small amounts by women in their ovaries and adrenal glands. According to the BBC, the exact role of testosterone in women is unknown, but it might play a role in a woman's sex drive, as well as maintaining muscle and bone strength. According to Chris Steidle, MD, testosterone not only plays a role in adult men and women, but also affects the general health of children and adolescents. Testosterone helps children thrive and helps them develop strong muscles and bones in puberty.
Testosterone Levels
Testosterone levels begin to decrease in both men and women around age 30, according to Discovery Health. As testosterone levels decrease, men and women might experience weight gain, fatigue, loss of sexual interest, mood swings and a reduction of muscle mass. According to Discovery Health, a decrease in testosterone also increases the risk of heart and vascular disease.
Tests
According to Discovery Health, you can use urine, saliva or blood tests to check testosterone levels. Blood tests are the most common tests; they can determine how much testosterone is actually available to the body.
Considerations
If you feel like your testosterone levels might be too low, talk to your doctor. He can perform some simple tests to determine where your levels are. Depending on the results, your doctor might recommend testosterone therapy. According to Discovery Health, such therapy can relieve the negative symptoms associated with low testosterone levels.
