Androgen Hormone: Pharmacology, Use and Misuse, Functions, Hormonal Levels

A substance that may generate and sustain masculine traits in reproductive tissues—specifically the genital tract, secondary sexual traits, and fertility—as well as support the anabolic status of somatic tissues is known as an androgen, sometimes known as the male sex hormone.

Functions Of Androgen Hormone

Androgens are important regulators of the hormonal cascade that triggers puberty and pubic and underarm hair growth. Additionally, it controls how various organs, including the bones and muscles, reproductive system, kidneys, and liver, operate. Androgens are essential for the synthesis of estrogen hormones in females and are crucial for controlling sexual desire, maintaining bone density, etc. In men, androgen hormones serve several crucial roles.

• They produce anabolic effects on protein synthesis and glucose metabolism.

• These have a significant stimulatory impact on the spermatogenesis phenomenon.

• They affect male sexual behavior by acting on the central nervous system.

• Growth hormones are released during puberty.

• These cause the development of muscles, axillary and facial hair, low vocal pitch, aggression, etc.

• Examines the urethra, prostate gland, vas deferens, epididymis, and other male accessory sex organs for maturity, development, and functionality.

Hormonal Levels

The menstrual cycle causes a change in a woman's hormone levels. The fluctuations in hormone levels depend on an individual's age and sex. With age, hormone production levels drop.

According to medical records, hormone production rises throughout pregnancy and is even higher when a woman is carrying a male fetus

Causes During Hormonal Changes

The following factors can alter hormone levels:

• HIV

• Chemotherapy

• Hypopituitarism

• adrenal interactivity

• extreme perimenopause

• Menopause brought on by surgery

• Ovarian insufficiency is primary

• side effects of birth control pills and other estrogen-containing hormone therapies

The Role Of Androgens

Androgens benefit all genders in that they:

• bone thickness.

• growth of muscle.

• Puberty.

• formation of red blood cells.

• sexual arousal and activity.

Role Of Androgens In Men

In people who were born with a propensity for men, androgens support (AMAB)

• low voice (vocal cord lengthening).

• hair growth on the scalp, chest, underarms, and genitalia.

• development of sperm.

Role of Androgens In Women

Other bodily molecules transform testosterone into estradiol, a type of estrogen, in people who were designated female at birth (AFAB). It's a hormone:

• controls menstruation

• helps in pregnancy and fertilization.

• reduces bone loss (osteoporosis).

• promotes pubic and underarm hair development.

Types Of Androgens

In both sexes, testosterone predominates as an androgen. among other androgens are:

• Androstenedione.

• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (DHEA).

• Sulfated DHEA (DHEA-S).

• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (DHT).

Healthcare Providers Measure Androgen Levels

The free androgen index (FAI), a formula used by your healthcare professional, is used to calculate androgen levels. A blood test is the first step in FAI to assess:

100% testosterone

unbound testosterone

binding to sex hormones globulin (SHBG).

A protein called SHBG transports estrogen and androgens (such as testosterone and DHT) throughout the body. In order to calculate the FAI or the amount of androgen in the blood, your provider compares total testosterone to SHBG.

The amount of androgen might fluctuate during the day. They age naturally decreasing. Hormone levels can also be impacted by a woman's age, menstrual cycle stage, or menopause condition.

Androgen-Related Health Problems

People who are designated as female at birth more frequently experience high levels of androgen (hyperandrogenism) (AFAB). Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most typical cause of hyperandrogenism (PCOS). Rarely, hyperandrogenism is caused by ovarian or adrenal tumors.

Hypoandrogenism, or low amounts of androgen, can result in

• osteoporosis and fractures of the bone.

• Fatigue.

• Low-key sex drive

Androgen Conditions Affect Males

Prostate cancer may grow faster when androgen is present. As part of their prostate cancer treatment, some people use hormone medicines to reduce the body's natural production of androgen.

Male hypogonadism, also known as low androgen or low testosterone, can result in erectile dysfunction, exhaustion, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. It can also make it difficult to concentrate and create poor exercise tolerance. Moreover, it may result in breast growth (gynecomastia).

Androgen Conditions Affect Females

People who have a polycystic ovarian syndrome or high levels of androgen may:

• Acne.

• Missed periods or irregular menstruation, or amenorrhea.

• hair loss or excessive hair growth (hirsutism).

• High cholesterol and blood pressure.

• Infertility.

• Obesity.

• ovarian cancer.

Androgen Conditions Affect Children

As the fetus grows inside your uterus, androgen supports genitalia. Some newborns have sex differentiation issues. These conditions have an impact on a child's genital structure and reproductive organs.

A child may inherit a gene mutation (change) from a parent. A gene mutation may result in:

Androgen insufficiency syndrome: The body of a baby with AIS does not react to its androgen or testosterone. Despite the kid having male chromosomes, the penis may be underdeveloped or micropenis-size. The genitalia could be mixed sex or appear female.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): A kid with female chromosomes will have genitalia that resembles those of a man due to high testosterone levels.

Conclusion

While some regard androgens as predominantly male sex hormones, these hormones really aid in puberty and physical and sexual development in humans. Your energy level and sexual desire may be impacted by androgen levels that are either too low or too high. Your risk of issues like diabetes can also increase if your testosterone levels are unhealthy. Androgen levels can be determined via a blood test. Tumors and other conditions that impact androgen levels can be treated by your doctor.