Testosterone is a hormone that is produced naturally by the human body. It is primarily responsible for sexual development in males. Although testosterone is associated with male sexual development, it is also present at lower levels in females. Although high levels of testosterone in men are healthy, excessive levels can cause various problems.
Benefits
Healthy levels of testosterone in men promote a healthy sex drive and a high sperm count. Testosterone is also responsible for increased muscle mass and the development and maintenance of male secondary sexual characteristics such as a deep voice and facial hair. Healthy levels of testosterone also enhance bone density, according to the Mayo Clinic, resulting in a decreased likelihood of broken bones. Testosterone typically declines in men as they age, at the rate of about one percent per year after age 30.
Sexual Side Effects
Although a healthy level of testosterone promotes a strong sex drive, excess testosterone can result in levels of sexual arousal that are difficult to control. This can result in risky or inappropriate sexual behavior. In women, excess levels of testosterone can result in the development of male secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and deepening of the voice.
Body Hair
Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, by the human body. High levels of DHT can cause the growth of hair on the chest, according to Harvard University. It also contributes to male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is hereditary, however. Although it may indicate higher than average levels of testosterone, it does not necessarily indicate excessively high levels of testosterone.
Health Risks
High levels of testosterone can cause acne, according to Harvard University. It can also cause liver disease. High testosterone can also increase the amount of unhealthy cholesterol and lower the amount of healthy cholesterol in the body. High testosterone has been linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia in older men, resulting in enlargement of the prostate gland and urinary problems. Harvard University reports that men with bald spots--as opposed to a receding hairline--were more likely to develop prostate cancer and coronary artery disease than other men. The Endocrine Society reported a study conducted at the University of California at San Francisco that found a direct link between high testosterone levels and cardiovascular disease.
Behavioral Changes
High levels of testosterone in adolescent boys is associated with certain undesirable personality characteristics, according to a study reported by the American Psychosomatic Society. These characteristics include physical and verbal aggressiveness, low tolerance for frustration, impulsiveness and, in some cases, criminal behavior. The 1980 study admits that previous studies have been inconclusive with respect to the influence of testosterone levels on these personality characteristics.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Testosterone Therapy: Key to Male Vitality?
- Life Extension Magazine: A New, Independent Risk Factor for Heart Disease
- Eureka Alert: Higher Testosterone May Raise Risk of Heart Disease in Elderly Men
- Harvard University: Testosterone, Prostate Cancer, and Balding: Is There a Link?
- Psychosomatic Medicine: Testosterone, Aggression, Physical and Personality Dimensions in Normal Adolescent Males
