Thursday, May 31, 2012

Testosterone

By Jake Alexandre


Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands. It is the principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. Testosterone is evolutionarily conserved through most vertebrates, although fish make a slightly different form called 11-ketotestosterone.

In men, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as the testis and prostate as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle, bone mass, and the growth of body hair. On average, an adult human male body produces about 7-8 times more testosterone than an adult human female body but females are more sensitive to the hormone.

Testosterone is necessary for normal sperm development. It activates genes in Sertoli cells, which promote differentiation of spermatogonia. It regulates acute HPA (Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) response under dominance challenge. It regulates of cognitive and physical energy. It is required for the maintainence of muscle trophism. It regulates the population of thromboxane A2 receptors on megakaryocytes and platelets and hence platelet aggregation in humans.

Testosterone does not cause or produce deleterious effects on prostate cancer. In people who have undergone testosterone deprivation therapy, testosterone increases beyond the castrate level have been shown to increase the rate of spread of an existing prostate cancer. Recent studies have shown conflicting results concerning the importance of testosterone in maintaining cardiovascular health. Recent studies have shown conflicting results concerning the importance of testosterone in maintaining cardiovascular health.

Men whose testosterone levels are slightly above average are less likely to have high blood pressure, less likely to experience a heart attack, less likely to be obese, and less likely to rate their own health as fair or poor. However, high testosterone men are more likely to report one or more injuries, more likely to consume five or more alcoholic drinks in a day, more likely to have had a sexually transmitted infection, and more likely to smoke.

Androgens may modulate the physiology of vaginal tissue and contribute to female genital sexual arousal. Women's levels of testosterone are higher when measured pre-intercourse vs pre-cuddling, as well as post-intercourse vs post-cuddling. Having too much naturally-occurring testosterone is not a common problem among men. Problems associated with excessive testosterone in men include low sperm count, heart muscle damage, prostate enlargement, liver disease, acne, insomnia, headaches and increased risks of blood clots. Among women, perhaps the most common cause of high testosterone is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Before you start hormone therapy increase your daily walks and exercise so you are able to sleep deeper at night. This will help increase your levels a good amount. There are two hormone supplements available over the counter in health food stores that could elevate low testosterone levels. These are pregnenolone and DHEA.




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