Testosterone is a vital hormone for both men and women. Like anything else in the human body, it’s important to have the quantity that you need – not too little AND not too much.
There has been a lot more study regarding testosterone for men, because it is thought of as a “male” hormone. In actuality, young women’s ovaries produce approximately three to four times more testosterone than estrogen every day! And throughout the female lifespan, testosterone is the most abundant biologically active sex hormone.
Amazing Effects of Testosterone
Here are some of the amazing effects testosterone has on the human body:
- In men, testosterone is essential for the development of the male reproductive organs. It also stimulates secondary male characteristics like facial and body hair, increased muscle mass, and deepening of the voice.
- In women, testosterone plays a role in the overall hormonal balance that regulates the menstrual cycle, and it also contributes to muscular strength. And although estrogen is the primary hormone for bone health in women, testosterone plays a supportive role.
- In both sexes, testosterone helps to regulate mood and prevent depression. It contributes to a healthy libido. Studies suggest that there’s a link between testosterone levels and cognitive function, including memory and processing speed.
Because it contributes to bone health in both sexes, it can help to prevent osteoporosis and fractures. It stimulates the production of red blood cells, which deliver oxygen and nutrients, plus carry away carbon dioxide and waste from your body.
It has a positive effect on the health of your blood vessels, which helps your cardiovascular system. And if that wasn’t enough, it helps your energy and brings an overall feeling of well-being and positive mood.
What’s not to love?! Let’s talk about that too, because TOO much testosterone is not a good thing.
When Testosterone Levels Are Too High
- In women, excess testosterone is a result of PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. If women are taking testosterone as part of hormone replacement therapy and get more than they need, it can make them irritated, moody, and angry. They might develop a problem with facial or even chest hair.
- In men, excess testosterone can also cause mood issues, making it easier to fly off the handle or be too aggressive. Because of testosterone’s ability to support the production of red blood cells, iron levels can increase too much. This can lead to liver damage, heart problems, arthritis, or diabetes.
Supporting Natural Hormone Balance
I’m a big fan of supporting your body’s own production and balance of hormones before taking supplemental hormones. Rx hormone replacement therapy can be a real game changer, but it should be more like the cherry on top than the first action you take.
The first steps to supporting proper hormone regulation are also perhaps the toughest – handle stress and be sure you get adequate sleep. No amount of hormone replacement or nutritional supplements can make up for long-term high stress situations and getting less than 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Some of this comes down to discipline… Binge-watching a show or losing track of time in front of your computer can rob you of the sleep you need.
Exercise and Stress Management
To handle stress, exercise of any type will help drain those stress hormones out of your body. For a double benefit, practice strength training. It stimulates human growth hormone and testosterone production, and has amazing effects at reducing stress.
Final Note
To learn about the most important vitamins you can take to support your testosterone production, check out this video I recently posted on YouTube.
