
Testosterone
Trivia
Most
Americans think about Testosterone and immediately connect it to
either aggression or sexuality. Although these are two really huge
aspects of Testosterone, it actually has a lot of different purposes
in the human body.
Why
is Testosterone linked to both sexuality and aggression?
Although
there is no way to fully understand the link between these concepts,
we can look back at human and evolutionary history in order to try to
discern a fairly complete picture. Testosterone, Sex, and Aggression
are likely linked because of the competitive nature of mating. Among
the vast majority of animals, males are the suitors, and the female
chooses a mate.
There are
a lot of ways that male animals use Testosterone in order to try to
get a leg up on their competition. This is the reason why male and
female animals are usually physically different, rather than simply
having different sexual organs. Secondary sex characteristics develop
largely as a result of competition between males for the affection of
a female.
Across a
large segment of animals, especially mammals, this pattern of sexual
competition results in displays of strength and dominance. As a
result, male mammals tend to have larger muscles than their female
counterparts, and display more aggressive behavior.
Although
we like to think we've developed beyond this evolutionary process, it
still plays a certain role in our lives whether we choose to
recognize it or not.
Beyond the
link between Testosterone, Aggression, and Sexual Competition,
Testosterone plays a number of different roles in the health of both
men and women. The rest of the article will feature some more
information about Testosterone and Health that you may find very
interesting.
For
Women, Love Induces Testosterone Production
Women that
have just entered a new relationship experience a flux of
Testosterone Production. This increase in Testosterone Release is
much higher than is experienced by either single women or women that
have been in a relationship for an extended period of time. One study
suggests that women release the highest levels of Testosterone in the
initial three months of dating than any other time.
Interestingly
enough, men experience the opposite effect. Men that have just
entered a new relationship actually experience a reduction in
Testosterone production. In a similar fashion, however, after less
than a year, Testosterone Levels return to their normal state.
It makes
sense, really. If a woman has made her decision on a man, it's in her
best interest to compete for his affection. In the case of a man,
after he has won a woman's affection, he no longer has to regularly
compete with other men for her interest.
Testosterone
Burns Body Fat
One of the
most noticeable physical issues related to Testosterone Deficiency is
that it causes a man to have trouble losing weight. Clinical research
has shown that Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy has a
positive effect on muscle-fat ratio, increasing metabolism and
helping a man lose weight faster and more effectively.
The
majority of studies corroborate the same evidence. Testosterone
Treatments lead to a noticeable reduction in adipose fat. This is the
most unhealthy form of fat that the body stores, as well as the most
difficult to burn. Adipose fat pools around the midsection,
especially around the hips, thighs, and stomach.
Testosterone
Replacement Therapy should not be considered solely for it's capacity
to induce weight-loss, however. There is a limited body of research
regarding the long-term use of Testosterone Hormone Replacement
Therapy, and should only be used by men that suffer from clinically
diagnosed Low-T, that are experiencing symptoms such as Erectile
Dysfunction, loss of bone density, muscle atrophy, or fatigue.
Testosterone
is Linked to Financial Success
Making
money even has a positive effect upon Testosterone Production. One
study performed by researchers in Great Britain showed that financial
traders experience significant Testosterone boosts solely on the
quality of their financial performance that day. Men that experienced
a successful day of trading earned a rush of Testosterone as a direct
result.
The
inverse was found to be true as well, when men produced naturally
high levels of Testosterone in the mornings, they made more money on
average than when their Testosterone Levels were lower. This is
strong evidence that Testosterone can directly influence success.
Researchers
also found a correlation between experience and Testosterone
Production among these traders as well. Traders that had been at the
job longer displayed a stronger correlation between both success and
the rush of Testosterone and Elevated Testosterone Levels being a
predictor for daily success.
It makes
sense. Testosterone is not only linked to aggression, but
assertiveness. In the frantic trading atmosphere, it makes perfect
sense that assertiveness breeds success. Also, Trading is one of the
most competitive atmospheres outside of athletic competition, and
studies have repeatedly shown that asserting dominance over others
through winning induces an incredible burst of Testosterone.
This
creates a positive feedback loop, where those that are successful
maintain higher levels of Testosterone than those that are not
successful, leading to further success.
Testosterone
Can Shrink your Testicles
Although
Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy can lead to a number of
highly beneficial effects, it does have the potential to lead to a
few physical symptoms, the most noticeable is that the Testicles can
shrink in size.
There is
no health risk associated with this shrinkage, but it does have a
negative effect upon fertility. Luckily, this effect is completely
reversible, and after suspending therapy, the Testicles increase in
size again, and sperm production increases as well. This does mean
that men looking to conceive should not use Testosterone Replacement
Therapy, however.
Another
side-effect that occurs in some cases is that men can develop
gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition in which excess
Testosterone is converted into Estrogen, which promotes an increase
in breast size. This issue is also reversible, and can be relieved
simply by adjusted the cumulative dose of Testosterone.
Although
Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy for Testosterone Deficiency
is a safe and effective medical treatment, Testosterone Abuse and
Overdose can lead to the development of other symptoms. In women,
these changes are exceptionally apparent. Testosterone abuse can
cause women to start growing hair across their body, develop
temporary male-pattern baldness, increase the size of the clitoris,
and cause the voice to deepen. All of these effects can be resolved
by suspending abuse, except in some cases the changes that occur to
the voice are permanent.
Both men
and women that Abuse Testosterone are much more likely to experience
issues such as increased aggression, mood swings, acne, and red blood
cell count.
For men
and women using Testosterone Treatments under the guidance and
authorization of a qualified medical professional, the risk of
side-effects associated with abuse is negligible, and can be treated
quickly and effectively in the case that they manifest.
Even
Watching Sports Can Boost Testosterone
Testosterone
and competition are intricately linked in males. As men prepare for
any form of competition, they experience a sustained boost in
Testosterone. This boost in Testosterone occurs regardless of the
form of competition in question. Preparing for a high-stakes poker
game leads to an increase in Endogenous Testosterone Production in
the same way as training for the Olympics.
Men are
just naturally wired in this way. It makes sense. Because of our
complex and advanced nature, assertiveness and dominance can manifest
themselves in countless ways. The brain considers mental competition
just as important as physical competition, and adjusts hormone
release accordingly.
An amazing
side-effect of this pattern of Testosterone Production is that you
don't even have to necessarily participate in an event in order to
get a burst of Testosterone. Studies show that men that watch sports
experience changes in Testosterone Levels in relationship to the
success of their favorite teams.
In one
particular study, researchers analyzed a group of male fans as they
watched a World Cup soccer game between Italy and Brazil. Researchers
discovered that after Italy lost, their fans experienced a drop in
Testosterone Production, while the Brazil Fans were awarded with a
boost of Testosterone. These changes in Testosterone for both parties
mirror patterns of Testosterone Release associated with dominance and
submission in other species.
Obesity
and Fat Limit Testosterone Production
Testosterone
Production is strongly correlated with body fat percentage. Men that
are of a healthy weight produce more Testosterone than men that are
obese, even after other factors have been controlled for.
There are
two processes associated with this reduction in Testosterone
Production. First, Fat cells have an unfortunate capacity to generate
Estrogen. They do this by absorbing Testosterone and Testosterone
Precursors, converting them into Estrogen and releasing them into the
human body. For men that are obese, this can have a powerful impact
on healthy Testosterone production, and can even lead to certain
symptoms of feminization.
Obesity is
also associated with an increase in general inflammation. Although
there are many factors related to obesity which contribute to
inflammation, the strongest is that obesity encourages the increased
production of cortisol, which is produced from DHEA, a necessary
precursor to Testosterone. In addition to this, stress causes an
increase in fat storage, which further reduces the body's ability to
produce and utilize Testosterone effectively.
Your
Hands Explain Your Hormones
In both
boys and men, the pointer on the right hand is almost always shorter
than the ring finger on the same hand. This is not true to nearly the
same extent for girls. This isn't a phenomenon that is specific to
humans, however. In many animals (including rats) that have five
fingers, this same difference between males and females of the
species persists.
Researchers
have discovered that among all species in which this phenomenon
occurs, it clearly shows that the animal was exposed to elevated
levels of Testosterone in utero. The more Testosterone that you
receive before you are born, the greater that this difference between
the lengths of the ring and pointer finger tend to be.
There is
even evidence from a British study that male businessmen with the
largest difference between the lengths of ring and pointer tended to
be more profitable in business and remained in business longer than
their counterparts.
Testosterone
Can be Difficult to Measure Effectively
Testosterone
Levels are dependent upon a number of different factors, and not all
of them are static. For example, Testosterone Production peaks in the
morning, meaning that some that display clinically low levels of
Testosterone at night may have normal levels during the morning. For
this reason, most physicians suggest that blood testing occur in the
morning rather than the afternoon or evening.
Also, the
thresholds for Testosterone Deficiency are not fully standardized,
meaning that what qualifies as deficiency for one doctor may not
necessarily hold true for another. The closest to a standard that we
have in regard to American Testosterone Treatment is that any level
below 300 nanograms per deciliter is generally considered low. The
range for normal varies widely dependent upon age, health, and other
factors. Normal Testosterone Production ranges from 300 ng/dl to 1000
ng/dl.
Because of
this large level of variability, it is necessary to both display
signs of Testosterone Deficiency while also displaying low or
borderline levels of Testosterone Production. Many physicians also
suggest that multiple blood samples may be used to maximize the value
of the diagnosis.
The
Benefits of Testosterone are Not Established for Healthy Men
It is
believed that around three quarters of men over the age of sixty five
have hormone levels that are perfectly normal. Although Testosterone
Hormone Replacement Therapy can provide amazing and life-changing
benefits for men that suffer from Testosterone Deficiency, there has
not been sufficient study among healthy patients to recommend the use
of Testosterone for men that do not display a physical need.
For men
that are experiencing Testosterone Deficiency, Bio-Identical
Testosterone can provide numerous benefits, including increased sex
drive, sexual ability, and bone mineral density, while also promoting
muscle and fat maintenance. It can even improve psychological health,
alleviating mild to moderate depression while helping to counteract
feeling of stress and anxiety.
Men
with Certain Heart Conditions Should Avoid Testosterone Hormone
Replacement
Testosterone
Treatments are associated with a slightly elevated risk of heart
conditions such as stroke and heart attack. This is because
Testosterone treatments increase red blood cell counts as a result of
therapy.
Testosterone
Injections seem to increase RBC Counts more than other forms of
therapy. Because of this risk of heart issues, men that are generally
in very poor health should avoid Testosterone Replacement unless
their doctor recommends it. It appears that the bulk of risk
associated with Testosterone effects men that are already at high
risk of heart attack or stroke.
Testosterone
Replacement Does not Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer
In the
past, medical professionals and researchers hypothesized that
Testosterone Replacement could contribute to an increased chance of
prostate cancer. The main reason why physicians and scientists
believed that Testosterone Therapy could cancer is because
Testosterone Replacement often leads to an increase in a chemical
known as PSA, or Prostate-Specific Antigen.
This
chemical is released only by the prostate, and men with prostate
cancer produce more of this chemical than healthy males. The last
decade of research has shown that, although Testosterone boosts PSA
production, this has no association with any enhanced cancer risk.
Testosterone
Replacement Therapy can increase the size of the prostate in older
males, however, leading to a condition known as Benign Prostate
Hyperplasia. The only major symptom of this condition is that it
becomes harder to urinate, and there are medical treatments which can
alleviate the symptoms of the condition.
There is
an ongoing debate among medical professionals in regard to whether
prostate cancer should even be treated, because they become very
common with age, but develop at an incredibly slow rate. At this
point, men with prostate cancer should avoid Testosterone Replacement
Therapy.
Sleep
Apnea Causes Low-T
Males that
experience sleep apnea have a significantly increased likelihood of
experiencing Low-T. For men with Testosterone Deficiency and Sleep
Apnea, it can be effective to treat both conditions simultaneously in
order to promote greater health most effectively.
Although
both conditions can be treated at the same time, it is important to
realize that Testosterone Treatments can complicate Sleep Apnea if
the sleep apnea remains untreated. This is why it is important for
men to received a full physical and medical history before initiating
Testosterone Replacement Therapy. By ruling out other medical
conditions, your doctor can help confirm whether Bio-Identical
Testosterone Treatments are the best source of action to improve your
health.
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