Male sex hormones (androgens)

The control hormone LH from the front lobe of the pituitary gland stimulates the production of androgens (male sex hormones) in the 1st half of the female cycle. Under the influence of another control hormone from the front lobe of the pituitary gland, the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), these are converted into estrogens, i.e. female sex hormones. Responsible for this conversion is an enzyme called aromatase.

Simply put, an enzyme is a substance that can carry out biochemical reactions. Androgens, like all steroid hormones, also mediate their action via receptors, which are located in the cell’s interior, to be precise in the cell nucleus. Male sex hormones, such as testosterone or dihydrotestosterone, are also present in the female organism and have biological effects.

Among the most important effects of male sex hormones in a woman’s body are The level of male sex hormones also decreases in postmenopause and causes a further drop in estrogen levels, as fewer male sex hormones are available for conversion into estrogens. Male sex hormones can also be determined in the blood without any problems. The phase of the cycle in which the blood was taken is also decisive for determining the testosterone level.

In the follicular phase, values of < 0.4 ng/ml are considered normal, in the ovulation phase a level of < 0.5-0.6 ng/ml is normal and in the luteal phase < 0.5 ng/ml. In the menopause, testosterone levels of < 0.8 ng/ml are found. In addition to the testosterone level, the level of two other androgens can also be measured. These include androstenedione, where a level of 1.0-4.4 ng/ml can be considered physiological, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), with a level that is normally between 0.3-4.3 ?g/ml.

The stimulation of the formation of underarm hair and pubic hair
The development of the labia majora and the clitoris and
The increase of the libido.