What is testosterone? It is well known that he is a sex hormone. Where is testosterone produced in men? This biologically active substance is synthesized in the testicles by specific Leydig cells. By the way, there is another organ that produces testosterone.
The hormone is produced through androstenedione, which, in turn, is produced in the adrenal cortex. Typically, in a healthy man, testosterone normally is 10–40 nmol / L. You should know that this hormone is found not only in the male, but also in the female body.
Hormone production in women
Where is testosterone produced in women? In the female body, it is produced through the adrenal glands and eggs. Its level is considered normal if it does not exceed 0.31–3.78 nmol / L.
Testosterone: where is it produced and what is its function in the body?
For men, this hormone is one of the most important. Testosterone is responsible for the appearance of secondary male sexual characteristics on the human body. These include:
- Vegetation on the body and face.
- Low voice.
- Character traits and behavior.
Testosterone is an anabolic. Therefore, it is used for medical purposes to treat certain diseases. Also, with its help, the possibility of achieving the desired sports performance increases. But testosterone is considered doping for professional athletes, its use in this case is prohibited, and dangerous.
This hormone is indispensable for male physical development. Where testosterone is produced in the body, it was said above. During puberty, this biologically active substance begins to be produced in greater quantities. As mentioned above, due to testosterone, the development of secondary sexual characteristics in the body of a man occurs.
It is necessary to ensure sexual functions. Most testosterone is produced through the testes. An insufficient amount of male hormone in the body reduces the functional ability of sperm, which leads to infertility.
The properties
We found out where the hormone testosterone is produced. And what properties does it possess? Testosterone in the body stimulates the synthesis of protein molecules, which, in turn, promotes the formation and growth of muscle mass. In this regard, the male musculature looks more developed than the female. The higher the level of such a hormone in a guy’s body, the more pronounced sexual activity and sexual desire.
And where is testosterone produced in the body of a man? As already mentioned, it is secreted from cholesterol by Leydig cells. If we compare the level of this hormone in male and female organisms, then in representatives of the stronger sex it is 13 times higher.
An erection also depends on testosterone. That is why older men often experience erectile dysfunction. The older the body, the lower the level of secreted hormone. The peak sexuality of men falls at the age of twenty.
The effect of testosterone on a woman’s body
We have already found out what testosterone is, where it is produced. Now let's talk about its impact. You should know that, despite a small amount of the hormone, in the female body it plays an important role.
For example, often girls who are deficient in a given substance are overweight. The fact is that testosterone in the body provides fat burning. Its deficiency leads to the accumulation of body fat under the skin and, accordingly, changes in body shape.
Ladies should be prepared for the fact that during menopause, the level of male hormone in their body will begin to decline. Therefore, women who go through this stage of the development of the body need to monitor their weight.
Also, girls should know that the higher their level of testosterone in their body, the stronger their attraction to representatives of the opposite sex. Deficiency of this hormone, on the contrary, can lead to a decrease in sexual desire.
Testosterone deficiency affects the emotional background. A sharp decrease in its level often leads to neurosis and depression.
Also, the biologically active substance affects the skin condition of a woman and overall well-being in general. Against the background of hormone deficiency, skin tissues become dry. Girls often complain of a burning sensation and tightness. Moisturized skin is more prone to wrinkle formation.
It's no secret that the fair sex periodically encounter changes in the hormonal background that are associated with the menstrual cycle. Of course, fluctuations in the level of certain substances affect the well-being, mood and behavior of girls. Sometimes, to eliminate such symptoms, doctors recommend taking special medications.
Is it possible to raise the level of testosterone in the human body and how to do it?
First, you should determine the factors that affect the production of this hormone in the body. In men, testosterone levels fluctuate; it is not constant. The amount of this substance is affected by many factors, for example, time of day. In the morning, the testosterone level in the stronger sex is at a high level, but in the evening it drops.
In order for testosterone to be produced in the right amount, a man needs to maintain physical activity. For example, playing sports in the gym, regular jogging, walking or swimming will positively affect the work of the whole body, including the endocrine glands.
Of course, when choosing workouts, the physical characteristics of each organism should be taken into account. Do not be too zealous for exercises and overload the muscles. A tired, exhausted body is not able to produce sex hormones in sufficient quantities.
The highest level of testosterone is observed in men aged 20 to 25 years. Then there is a slow decrease in the intensity of its production in the body. You should know that a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition have a positive effect on men's health, including the processes of testosterone synthesis.
You should not be lazy - you need to keep yourself in good physical shape and monitor nutrition. Of course, it’s sometimes difficult to start doing something (for example, running in the mornings or visiting the pool), but if you make it a habit, then over time these actions will be carried out automatically, without any extra effort on yourself. In addition, a man should always remember that such a lifestyle will contribute to the production of testosterone, which, in turn, leads to increased sexual activity and improved body shape. A healthy hormonal background is the key to the normal functioning of the whole organism
What negatively affects the production of testosterone in guys?
If the lifestyle of a male person is associated with the use of alcohol or other harmful substances, then the amount of the hormone can decrease to a minimum value. Smoking is also negatively affecting the production of biologically active substances.
Also, various pathologies that may be present in the male body affect the level of testosterone.
For example, cancers affect the amount of hormone in the blood. Disorders of the endocrine glands, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary system, are also referred to as risk factors. Negative on the hormonal background and constant stress.
See a doctor!
If testosterone is lowered in the body (you already know where this substance is produced), then it will be better to go to the doctor and get professional advice. In order to normalize the level of the hormone, you need to determine the cause of its decline.
Only after diagnosis will the doctor prescribe the necessary therapy and draw up an effective treatment regimen. In addition to an insufficient amount of male hormone, its overabundance can be observed. Both of these cases are considered abnormalities and require treatment.
How do you know if testosterone levels are low?
The surest way is a laboratory blood test. Nevertheless, there are a number of signs by which it can be determined that the level of testosterone is lower than necessary.
- In humans, the level of vital energy decreases.
- Lack of strength, weakness in the muscles.
- Virtually no sex drive, problems with an erection.
- Muscle mass goes away and bone density decreases.
- Subcutaneous fat begins to accumulate.
- Blood pressure may rise.
For those who are keen on sports, especially bodybuilding, testosterone levels are important as they affect muscle growth. On the other hand, do not use doping. The fact is that the regular use of synthetic biologically active substances leads to atrophy of functional tissues, which are responsible for the production of testosterone. The body ceases to synthesize its own sex hormones, which leads to the appearance of a mass of dangerous problems.
Natural way
How to increase testosterone in a natural way? One of the main methods is proper training. There are a number of recommendations, following which you can achieve the maximum result and raise the level of this hormone to normal.
What are some ways to boost testosterone?
- It is worth paying attention to the multi-joint type of exercise.
- Each approach should be repeated at least 4 times.
- Repetitions when performing one exercise should be from 6 to 12.
- Rest after exercise.
- Training should last about an hour.
- It is recommended to rest between sets.
- Exercises should be performed in a medium rhythm. No need to rush or, conversely, do them very slowly.
Nutrition
In addition to the training process, special attention should be paid to nutrition.
If a person physically loads himself in the gym, then the nutrition should be appropriate. The amount of calories consumed should be enough to meet the energy needs of the body. That is, a person must be full of strength in order to cope with physical activity. But do not overdo it, since you can get the opposite effect. It is necessary to keep the body in good shape.
Meat is recommended (lean beef, chicken breast). There is statistics that people who do not eat it have lower levels of male hormone. Of course, it is better to cook steamed dishes or bake in the oven. Do not abuse fried foods and too fatty meats. The diet should include vegetables, herbs, fruits.
Little conclusion
Now you know what testosterone is, where this hormone is produced. We also gave tips on how to improve it. We hope that the information in the article was useful to you. Do not forget that you need to carefully monitor your health and do not miss scheduled medical examinations.