4 The function of testosterone and how to increase it & bull; hello healthy

Talking about men's health, of course, will not be separated from the discussion about the hormone testosterone. Testosterone plays many functional roles and is important in men, especially with regard to sexual health.

Hormonal imbalances in the body, such as excess or lack of testosterone levels will certainly have a bad impact. Then, how do you prevent this condition so that you don't experience it?

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is an important reproductive hormone that is commonly found in males. Women can also have this hormone, although the amount is not as much as men.

Men when they are teenagers or enter puberty will generally experience an increase in the production of the hormone testosterone. Quoted from the Hormone Health Network, testosterone affects several physical changes in men, such as:

Growth of the penis and testes
The growth of a beard, mustache, and pubic or other body hair
Form the characteristics of the sound
Builds muscle and bone strength
Producing sperm
Produces sex drive (libido)

The production of the hormone testosterone will generally last until an adult male is around 30, then the production will decrease.

Most men can have normal testosterone levels, but there are conditions when the hormone is produced either less or more than usual.

What are the functions of the hormone testosterone?

Testosterone has several important roles in the male body, especially with regard to the development of the reproductive system.

Similar to estrogen which has a function in the formation of women's bones, testosterone also has a function in the formation of bone density and muscle strength.

In addition, this hormone also has an important role in certain habits carried out by men. The complete various important functions of the testosterone hormone are as below.

1. On the endocrine system

The endocrine system of the body has several glands that produce hormones. The process of testosterone can be started from the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland - the pituitary gland - about how much testosterone the body needs. Then from these glands are sent to the testes, until the testes produce testosterone.

Testosterone can also be produced in the adrenal glands, but only a small portion of the hormone produced in the adrenal glands. When boys grow up, testosterone functions in the formation of voices, sideburns, and some hair on the body.

2. Development of the reproductive system

When fertilization occurs, the hormone testosterone helps in the formation of male genitalia in the fetus. This occurs about seven weeks after conception.

When men get older, the production of this hormone also increases. During this phase known as puberty, the penis and testicles begin to form and further alter. At this time too, the male testes begin to produce sperm.

When testosterone levels are low, it is possible for men to experience erectile dysfunction. While high testosterone levels can also cause oily skin conditions, hair loss, and shrink testicles.

3. Physical changes and sexual arousal

Since adolescence, men have experienced sexual urges or sexual desires. The increased production of testosterone also causes men to experience physical changes in the testes, penis, and pubic hair.

In addition, the male body and muscles begin to form due to this increased production of testosterone. At this age, men will get sexual stimulation and even sexual activity. Both of these can make the hormones produced increase.

Apart from physical changes, testosterone also affects the growth of fine hairs on the male body parts. Fine hairs will begin to grow dense on the hands, feet, armpits, and often grow on the chest of men.

4. Bone and muscle growth

Testosterone is also able to make bones and muscles build. If in women a deficiency of estrogen can lead to the risk of osteoporosis, lack of testosterone can cause bone density that is not perfect.

In addition, some men also do testosterone therapy to increase their physical prowess. But you need to know that the addition of this hormone can also affect the skin and enlargement of the chest in men. The effect on the skin can be in the form of irritation.

Testosterone is also useful for burning fat in the body's metabolism. Lack of hormones can increase fat in the body.

5. Formation of certain habits

Have you ever heard that men like to compete? Yes, it turns out that men's competitive habits are due to a function of testosterone itself.

This hormone testosterone affects certain habits, such as things related to dominance and aggression. Men believe that winning competitions can make them more confident.

When a man loses and is less motivated, usually the hormone testosterone that is produced at that time will be low. Low hormone levels can also affect the lack of energy in men, so it often affects sleep disorders.

Do women also have the hormone testosterone?

In fact, a woman's body can also produce the hormone testosterone. But of course, the levels produced are not as many as those experienced in the male body.

The female hormone testosterone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. This hormone will work together with other hormones in the female body, such as estrogen and progesterone to regulate various body functions.

Some of these functions, including keeping sex drive (libido) high, improving cognitive function of the brain, regulating mood or mood, and maintaining healthy bones. The female hormone testosterone also affects the ovaries so they can work normally.

What happens when testosterone production is high?

Overproduction of testosterone in the male body is generally not a serious condition. The reason is, the levels of this hormone tend to vary and change from time to time.

Athletes who use anabolic steroid supplements, injected testosterone, or related hormones tend to have excess testosterone to increase muscle mass and body performance.

Quoted from Harvard Health Publishing, several problems that can occur due to excess testosterone, including:

Low sperm count, constricted testicles, and erectile dysfunction (impotence)
Increased risk of heart attack
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Blood clotting disorders
Liver disease disorders
Oily and spotty skin
Enlarged prostate and difficulty urinating
Weight gain due to increased appetite
Insomnia
Headache
Aggressive and unusual behavior
Mood swings, irritability, impaired judgment, and delusions

Meanwhile, excess levels of testosterone in women can increase the risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this condition affects 6-10% of premenopausal women.

What happens when testosterone production is low?

Low testosterone production is one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. Testosterone plays a very important role in men's daily life, not only in the reproductive system.

When not used for sexual activity for long enough, it can make testosterone production decrease or it is known as hypogonadism in medical terms.

Some signs that your body is deficient in testosterone include:

Hair loss to baldness
Reduced strength and muscle mass
Low libido, erectile dysfunction (impotence), constricted testicles, and impaired fertility
Hot flashes, a sudden, warm sensation in the face, neck, and chest area
Depression and sudden mood swings
Mood swings, to feelings of sadness
Brittle bones are at risk of fractures

Although the number is not as much as men, women are also at risk of experiencing a lack of testosterone in their bodies. Common symptoms, such as low libido, reduced bone strength, difficulty concentrating, and depression.

How do I increase testosterone levels?

Generally, the most common problem with hormonal imbalance in the body is when the body is deficient in testosterone. We recommend that you consult with your doctor to determine the appropriate hormone therapy.

You can also try natural ways to increase the hormone testosterone in the body, such as:

Enough sleep. According to George Yu, MD, a lecturer at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington D.C, lack of sleep can cause men to experience a decrease in hormone production caused by the emergence of other hormones that affect them.
Lose weight. If you are obese or overweight, testosterone production will usually decrease.
Get some exercise. When the body is not used for activities, the body will send a signal that it does not need additional testosterone. When you are active and exercising, your brain will send signals for more hormone production. If you don't have time to do vigorous exercise, try to walk about 20 to 30 minutes per day.
Avoid stress. Managing stress will help increase testosterone production. Stress makes the body produce the hormone cortisol which affects the production of male hormones. Avoid stress by exercising frequently and calm your mind by meditating.
Check drugs and supplements that are being used. If you are on medication, you should pay attention to the drugs and supplements used. There are several drugs that can reduce hormone production, for example opioid drugs - such as fentanyl, MS Contin, and OxyContin - glucocorticoid drugs, and anabolic steroids.
Eating certain foods. Eating certain foods can also increase testosterone. These foods are foods rich in vitamin D, tuna, low-fat milk, egg yolks, oysters, shellfish, beef, and nuts.