Androgens are a category of hormones that include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and androstenedione––all of which are essential elements of male sexual development. While biological males have higher levels of androgens, women also have androgens in their bodies which are just as essential to their well-being.
Testosterone is known as the primary male sex hormone that plays an important role in male sexual development. Males produce testosterone in the testes, while females produce testosterone in the ovaries. Men have up to 25 times higher testosterone levels in men than women, but it nevertheless plays an important role in both genders.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is another key androgen made from an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. This androgen is essential during a baby’s fetal development and once adolescents hit puberty. However, DHT contributes to prostate enlargement and male pattern hair loss in adult men.
The testosterone precursor known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is available in supplements. It’s also a precursor to other androgens because it converts to them in the body. DHEA is sold as an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and muscle-boosting supplement, but the jury is still out on whether the science backs the claims that DHEA supplements make.
What are the roles of androgens in the body?
Androgens play a key role in the development of the male reproductive system, including the penis, testes, and prostate. Androgens are also associated with the physical changes during puberty in men, particularly with changes in body and facial hair growth, the deepening of the voice, and the development of the following aspects of the body all throughout adulthood:
- Libido/sex drive
- Sperm production
- Erectile function
- Muscle and bone density
- Growth of facial and body hair
- Production of red blood cells
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What happens when you have excessive androgen levels in the body?
Abnormal androgen levels can cause a wide array of symptoms in males and females, and understandably so considering how many things androgens are responsible for.
Excessive androgen levels in men
It’s rare for men to have excessively high androgen levels. And in the infrequent cases that they do, it’s usually due to interactions from taking supplements or medicines. In particular, the abuse of natural and synthetic androgens (or anabolic steroids) is found in athletes who wish to gain a competitive advantage by doping. It must be said, however, that using anabolic steroids to boost athletic performance is risk-free. Here are some side effects related to high androgen levels in men:
- Acne breakouts in the face and back
- Changes in mood
- Diminished testicle size
- Prostate enlargement
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Weight gain
- Development of breast tissue in men (gynecomastia)
- Increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- High cholesterol levels
Excessive androgen levels in women
Hyperandrogenism, or excessive androgen levels in women, is usually caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affecting up to 12% of women worldwide. Certain medicines and tumor growth in the adrenal glands or ovaries may also lead to excessive androgen levels in women. Here are some symptoms of high androgen levels in women:
- Development of acne
- Excessive body and facial hair
- Male pattern hair loss
- Infertility
- Irregular menstruation
What happens when you have low androgen levels in the body?
Just as excessive or elevated levels of androgens cause symptoms, so do low androgen levels. Here are their effects on men and women.
Low androgen levels (hypogonadism) in men
Low androgen levels in men can lead to a variety of side effects such as:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction (including diminished morning erections)
- Low sperm count and motility
- Mood changes such as anxiety and depression
- Tiredness
- Loss of bone and/or muscle mass
- Higher body fat levels
- Anemia
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Low androgens levels in women
Androgens aren’t the main sex hormone in females, but fluctuating levels can cause symptoms in women such as the following:
- Low libido
- Disinterest in sex
- Lower sexual satisfaction
- Irregular menstruation
- Osteoporosis
- Infertility
What happens to androgen levels when you age?
Androgen production naturally decreases in both men and women as they age. For instance, a 2021 study showed that as much as 40% of men above age 45 suffer from low testosterone. On the other hand, androgen levels in women decrease after they reach menopause.
If your androgen levels are too low or too high, you may want to seek a healthcare professional’s advice to determine what is causing it and how to treat it. Your healthcare provider may suggest lifestyle changes or put you on a course of treatment as necessary.`
