More specifically, both testicles and ovaries produce testosterone. Testosterone levels are naturally much higher in males. Testosterone is a hormone that your gonads (testicles or ovaries) mainly produce. Testosterone can either directly exert effects on target tissues or be metabolized by 5α-reductase into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or aromatized to estradiol (E2). Testosterone can be described as having anabolic and androgenic (virilising) effects, though these categorical descriptions are somewhat arbitrary, as there is a great deal of mutual overlap between them. In general, androgens such as testosterone promote protein synthesis and thus growth of tissues with androgen receptors. In addition to its role as a natural hormone, testosterone is used as a medication to treat hypogonadism and breast cancer. In humans and most other vertebrates, testosterone is secreted primarily by the testicles of males and, to a lesser extent, the ovaries of females. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! However, the optimal amount of testosterone is far from clear. Testosterone therapy does not appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer, but it can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Doctors also watch out for high red blood cell counts, which could increase the risk of clotting. And often, switching to a healthier lifestyle is enough to improve testosterone levels naturally. A 2022 study looked at testosterone levels of 1,486 men between the ages of 20 and 44 . Normally, when testosterone levels get too high, the body detects this and prevents more being made. Testosterone deficiency during fetal development doesn’t allow male characteristics to develop normally. The symptoms of low testosterone vary based on your age. Excess testosterone in male children can lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of nine. Other side effects include increased risk of heart problems in older men with poor mobility, according to a 2009 study at Boston Medical Center. It has several possible side effects and some possible long-term effects, as well. The safety of testosterone treatment is still being researched. Another 2017 study published in JAMA found that older men with low testosterone had increased bone strength and density after treatment when compared with a placebo. For instance, it was thought that maybe it would help with age-related memory loss. But sometimes, symptoms of erectile dysfunction are due to other conditions, including diabetes and depression, according to the Mayo Clinic. Excess testosterone affects your body differently depending on your sex and age. The two charts below list the general normal ranges of testosterone based on age and sex. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland control the amount of testosterone your gonads (testicles or ovaries) produce and release. If testosterone levels are too high or too low, it can cause certain symptoms.
