1. Testosterone is Not Only a Guy Thing
Testosterone, for good or bad, claims credit for the aggression, bulging muscles, deep voices and sexual assertiveness of men. Although testosterone is indeed responsible on very basic levels for these attributes developing in the male species, testosterone is also present in females. Males also produce the "female" hormones of estrogen and progesterone. The amount of testosterone produced by the body is different between the male and female. Men produce about 20 times the amount of testosterone as women, and the testosterone that women produce are the building blocks of estrogen and progesterone. During pregnancy, the sexual development of a fetus is determined by the levels of testosterone and estrogen produced. Gender developments of the body are carried into the infancy and adolescence and are also influenced by the amount of testosterone and estrogen that are produced.
2. Testosterone is Always There
Both men and women continually produce testosterone. The levels may be different, but they are present nonetheless. As the human body ages, the amount of testosterone production diminishes in both men and women. Just as women go through menopause, men also go through a change as well. The drop in testosterone levels links to this change. Symptoms of lower testosterone levels are lack of energy, decreased sexual drive, erectile dysfunction and prostrate problems. Other symptoms can be in the areas of mental focus, muscle loss and mood.
3. Testosterone Testing
Testing the levels of testosterone in men begins as early as 45. This test, based on a simple blood test, will give information as to changes that occur with a drop in levels. A determination of lowered testosterone levels will indicate if testosterone therapy may be helpful. When infertility problems arise, tests evaluate the testosterone levels in the male. A lowered testosterone level affects the production of sperm. Lowered levels of testosterone could be a result of other endocrine problems such as problems with the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. In women, a linkage exists between higher testosterone levels and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, adrenal and ovarian cancer.
4. Can You be Too Macho?
Although the benefits of testosterone therapy appear to be a panacea of many older men, the dangers of this therapy are not widely known. One dangerous link suspected of high testosterone levels is prostate cancer. Other effects of lower levels in men are depression, lack of energy, cognitive problems and loss of sexual appetite and potency.
5. Supplements Available From Nature
Many body builders and athletes understand the importance of testosterone in developing the body. But, they avoid the dangers (and horror stories) associated with substance use in the early years of professional sports. Instead, they use natural herbs and plant products that supply precursors to the production of testosterone. This supplementation makes it easier for the body to produce higher amounts of testosterone.
