Hormones are generally proteins or steroids that carry specific signals to the organs that need to perform the action. The blood is the transport medium, and the amount of hormones in our bodies varies constantly, influenced by age, daily activities, and lifestyle. This article will focus on male hormones and their importance to our bodies.
Do not miss which are the most important male hormones and what function they have at all times.
How Male Hormones Work
Hormones are produced in the endocrine glands. These typically include the thyroid, gonads, and pituitary gland. In women, they are also produced in the placenta. These hormones can be either steroids or proteins. Each type functions differently. If it is a protein, when it reaches the organ that needs the signal, it binds to a receptor on the cell membrane. Once bound to this receptor, it begins to exert its function.
Steroid hormones, being smaller in size, are able to enter the cell and bind to the receptor located in the cytoplasm. Once bound to the receptor, the hormones carry out specific processes that can vary greatly. The hormone's action might be to synthesize another hormone to perform a different function. It might also act in response to the needs of the organ in question. For example, the hormone insulin is responsible for metabolizing blood sugar and lowering it, thus maintaining stable levels.
Hormonal differences between men and women
The concentration of certain hormones found in men and women differs. This is one of the reasons why a man's general behavior is determined by his male hormones, just as a woman's is determined by her female hormones. However, the hormones themselves are the same.
These concentrations are more differential in those that are sexual and in the organs where they perform their function. In the case of men, androgens are the male hormones par excellence and, therefore, are in greater concentration. With respect to women, estrogens are the hormones with the highest concentration.
We are going to list and describe which are the most important hormones in man.
- Testosterone It is the best known male hormone. The main source of production is the testis in cells that are located in the interstitial spaces.
- LH. They are called Leydig cells. They are also responsible for producing testosterone. To do this, they have to receive a stimulus to synthesize it. It is located in the anterior pituitary.
- FSH. This hormone is found in the seminiferous tubes where sperm are produced.
Testosterone function
Much is said about her. It is said that the man with the most testosterone will be the one with the prettiest, the huskiest voice and the most aggressive, carefree and unpredictable behavior. To what extent is this true? We are going to explain in detail the role of testosterone in men.
As is commonly said, testosterone has a direct effect on the growth of underarm, pubic, body, and facial hair. This hair growth varies among different ethnicities. It also acts on the vocal cords, thickening or thinning them, resulting in a softer or raspier voice. It is important for the development of muscle mass , acting as an anabolic agent, and it stimulates prostate growth, preventing later problems such as prostatitis.
Men with higher testosterone levels tend to have larger seminal vesicles and, consequently, a larger penis. Ejaculation depends entirely on arousal and libido , both of which are increased by testosterone. The more semen in the testicle, the greater the likelihood of sperm production and, therefore, the higher the chance of pregnancy.
The summary of testosterone is that it is responsible for making a boy transform into a man and can get a woman pregnant. The generation of this male hormone begins in the brain. As the body achieves a noticeable degree of maturity, it begins to synthesize this hormone in the hypothalamus. FSH and LH are what stimulate the testicle to produce testosterone and begin to develop pubic, armpit and body hair.
Testosterone deficiency
In women, libido depends on the amount of androgens, which are present in small quantities. These hormones are produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands and may explain why women generally don't think about sex as much. When this lack of sexual desire occurs in a man, is it due to a testosterone deficiency? Let's examine the effects and what to do in these situations.
When a doctor diagnoses a deficiency of this male hormone, it may be due to a deficit in its production in the testicles due to any alteration. It may also be because there is less LH. If the case is the former, the patient must be treated with extra testosterone to incorporate it into the body. In case of lack of LH, it will be necessary to treat with LH, since this is the one that stimulates the production of testosterone.
To know if you lack testosterone, you can recognize it through some symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes accompanied by excessive sweating.
- Osteoporosis is caused, suffering the bones a reduction of their size and thickness.
- Greatly decreases sexual desire.
- There is a erectile dysfunction having trouble keeping or getting an erection.
- Generalized fatigue increases.
- You suffer from some kind of depression or extremely irritable continually.
As you can see, male hormones play really important roles and are what make typical men's behaviors so characteristic. Watch your diet, exercise daily and maintain a low-stress lifestyle. With these tips, you can learn more about male hormones and their function.