Testosterone in men and women

Testosterone is a sex hormone that occurs in both men and women. The testosterone level and thus the amount of testosterone in the blood is much higher in men. The tasks for which testosterone is responsible in the body are also more numerous in men than in women.

Nevertheless, testosterone is necessary for some important processes in the female body. For example, testosterone levels in women are necessary for muscle building and bone stability. It is also jointly responsible for the libido of the woman.

Some psychological effects are discussed which the testosterone level should have in women. A low level of testosterone in the female body can probably be counted as a reason for the occurrence of depression.Since the connective tissue is under the influence of testosterone, excessive connective tissue weakness may possibly be influenced by a testosterone deficiency. The individual symptoms of a testosterone deficiency in women can vary greatly and in some cases are only vaguely perceived. If a testosterone deficiency is suspected, a doctor can be consulted about the underlying symptoms and a blood test can be ordered.

Treat Testosterone Deficiency

The individual treatment of a testosterone deficiency is usually influenced by the underlying cause, if known. In particular, reducing any risk factors for the development of a testosterone deficiency can possibly achieve a normalization of testosterone levels. Since testosterone is also available as a drug, there is also the possibility of external substitution of testosterone.

Whether such a therapy is necessary and how it is best carried out should be assessed by a doctor after comprehensive diagnostics. Sometimes there may be certain diseases or situations where a substitution of testosterone is not possible. An example of such a contraindication is a cancer of the prostate.

Cause

The causes of a testosterone deficiency can be very diverse. In some cases, no cause can be found. It is assumed that a number of the medical reasons for the development of a testosterone deficiency have not yet been researched.

One disease associated with a testosterone deficiency is Klinefelter’s syndrome. It is assumed that certain risk factors contribute to the development of a relative testosterone deficiency. In particular, obesity, high blood pressure, disorders of fat metabolism and the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus are suspected of triggering such a testosterone deficiency.

The production of testosterone is largely controlled by the function of the pituitary gland. Diseases of this gland can lead to disturbances of the hormonal balance and, in the context of this, to a testosterone deficiency syndrome. However, a testosterone deficiency can also occur due to a natural hormone level change in old age.

Low testosterone levels are very common in older men and do not always need to be treated. It is also known that a testosterone deficiency can occur due to stress and congenital genetic defects. It is assumed that certain risk factors contribute to the development of a relative testosterone deficiency.

In particular, obesity, high blood pressure, disorders of fat metabolism and the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus are suspected of triggering such a testosterone deficiency. The production of testosterone is largely controlled by the function of the pituitary gland. Diseases of this gland can lead to disturbances of the hormonal balance and, in the context of this, to a testosterone deficiency syndrome.

However, a testosterone deficiency can also occur due to a natural hormone level change in old age. Low testosterone levels are very common in older men and do not always need to be treated. It is also known that a testosterone deficiency can occur due to stress and congenital genetic defects.

The individual therapy depends on the severity of the testosterone deficiency and the individual cause responsible for the deficiency. If known, an attempt should be made to treat the triggering cause. In many cases an improvement of the situation is possible.

This includes the treatment of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as the treatment of lipometabolic disorders, which can help to raise testosterone levels that are too low. Low testosterone levels do not always have to be treated. For example, it may not be necessary to treat a testosterone deficiency if the patient is subjectively symptom-free. In general, after recording the symptoms and evaluating the laboratory values, the attending physician can form an impression of the situation and make an individual decision on the necessity of substitution therapy. If a therapy is necessary and sensible, testosterone can be administered as a drug and thus the hormone level can be raised.Since some diseases, such as prostate cancer, make treatment with testosterone impossible, these so-called contraindications should be excluded before substitution therapy is carried out.