What does Testosterone Do in Your Body?

When looking closer into what a human body is made of, testosterone which is also called the "male hormone" or "androgen" plays an important role in its functioning, especially in male human bodies! The male body starts producing testosterone which is, the male sex hormone, in the testes at the beginning of the 8th week of a fetus' life. Testosterone promotes the development of the penis and scrotum in male human fetus and later on it promotes the formation of the structures involved in sperm production which is an essential ingredient for reproduction as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair. But how does it affect our daily life?

Testosterone Effects in Men's Daily Life

Have you seen football fans shouting and cheering for their team all game long or marching in the streets after their team wins a derby? Have you seen well built body builders? While testosterone contributes to aggressive behavior and building muscle mass, it has many more functions.

This hormone plays a key role in erythropoiesis, which is the production of red blood cells. If you have low T, your body would not be able to make enough red blood cells which may cause a significant drop in energy.One other anabolic effect of testosterone besides growth of muscle mass and strength, is that it helps to maintain bone density and helps with stimulation of linear growth and bone maturation.Testosterone also plays an important role in mental health. People with low testosterone levels may experience a lower overal well being, a depressed mood and low energy.  In a study conducted at UCLA(JCEM, 1996),  researchers found that testosterone replacement therapy improved mood in men with low T.

Testosterone Effects in Women's Daily Life

Despite the almost exclusive association with the male body, testosterone is also produced by the female body. A woman's body produces an average of 300 micro-grams of testosterone daily. Falling in love decreases men's testosterone levels while increasing women's testosterone levels [Hormonal Changes When Falling in Love], these hormonal changes then normalize after a period of 1 to 3 years and are not anymore as apparent as compared to the honeymoon time.

Female Sexual Dysfunction, Truth or Myth? Testosterone also plays an important role in sexual health. Women with low testosterone may experience decreased libido, persistent fatigue, and a decreased sense of well-being. Although the long term effects of testosterone therapy for women with low libido or female sexual dysfunction are unknown, but research has shown that the hormone testosterone does impact female sex drive.Furthermore and like in men, testosterone in women helps with maintaining linear growth in muscle mass and improves bone density.Testosterone, well known as the "male hormone", plays an important role in physical, mental, and sexual development and well being of male and female human beings.