What Exactly is Testosterone?

by: Kristy Annely

Testosterone is a member of the steroid family of hormones called androgens. More and more, this family is derived through chemical conversion from the steroid ring-structure of cholesterol. This hormone plays a vital role in the bodies of both men and women. There are only minor differences between this hormone and others such as estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, cortisone, and androstenedione. They are small molecules, which becomes important when we look at what routes of administration are available. As commonly known, testosterone stimulates the development of the penis and testes, growth of facial and pubic hair, deepening of the voice, changes in body shape, growth of bones, and increased muscle mass and strength in males. It helps maintain sex drive and the production of sperm cells, and it may play a role in balding. Mood is also affected by testosterone, and low levels of the hormone can cause severe and prolonged depression as well as fatigue, to name a few conditions. High levels of testosterone appear to promote good health in men, for example, lowering the risks of high blood pressure and heart attacks. High testosterone levels also correlate with risky behavior, however, including increased aggressiveness and sometimes even smoking, which may cancel out these useful health benefits. Ninety-five percent of circulating testosterone is produced in the male testicles under the influence of a hormone released from the pituitary gland called luteinizing hormone (LH). Throughout the day, LH is released in spurts that stimulate the release of testosterone from the testicles. The signals are particularly strong in the early morning, which accounts for the higher testosterone levels and spontaneous morning erections and increased libido. By the late evening the levels of testosterone can fall by 50-percent, which signals the pituitary gland to increase its production of LH to restart the cycle. Related Articles How To Quit Smoking What Causes Acid Reflux? Facts about Heart Fluttering A Look at Acid Reflux and Your Diet The Most Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux Disease GERD Essentials Factors that Increase and/or Lead to Snoring Mesothelioma Cancer Does Your Morning Coffee Cause You Pain or Discomfort? The proper way to smoke a cigar Top 10 Causes Of Acne, smoking one of them The Facts about Sinusitis Just the facts on youth and smoking Are you being troubled by Sinusitis? Dangerous Weight Loss Methods What Exactly is Testosterone? Teeth Whitening Naturally BREATHE EASY SALTPIPE SALT INHALER Cervical Cancer 101 what you need to know about Sperm Health Prevent Heart Disease Just How Dangerous is Asbestos? Two Nutrients That You Must Have to Prevent Hair Loss Intoxication,Drugs of Abuse Testing & Forensics A Intoxication,Drugs of Abuse Testing & Forensics A Part 2 Intoxication,Drugs of Abuse Testing & Forensics A Part 3 Intoxication,Drugs of Abuse Testing & Forensics A Part 4 Intoxication,Drugs of Abuse Testing & Forensics A Part 5 A Man’s Embarrassing Question: What Do I Do about Impotence? Guide to quit smoking Hypnosis - the state between sleeping and waking How to Stay Quit once you have Quit Smoking How to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season with a Strong Immune System How to Stay Quit once you have Quit Smoking Why Most People Don't Really Want to Heal (Part 2) Discovering And Accepting That Our Illness Serves Us The Courage to Heal You Come First! Erectile Dysfunction Being Punched by Viagra Blues How to Know if You Need Vitamin Supplements