Androgen hormones are often called "male hormones", because in general these hormones regulate everything related to the male reproductive organs. However, androgen hormones are also produced in the female body, but the amount is not as much as in men.
In fact, androgens are a term for a group of hormones. The most active and dominant type of androgen hormone is testosterone. In men, testosterone is produced in the testes or testicles. While in women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries or ovaries.
In addition to testosterone, there are also other types of androgen hormones that support the function of testosterone, it's just that the amount is much less than testosterone. In men and women, androgen hormones have different functions.
The Function of Androgen Hormones in the Male Body
In men, androgen hormones have various roles, ranging from supporting physical changes, regulating the pubertal process, to maintaining the health of male reproductive organs. The following are some of the functions of androgen hormones in men:
1. Regulate the process of puberty
Boys who have entered puberty will experience physical changes. For example, growing a mustache and beard, hair on the upper chest, legs, and thighs, as well as the development of sexual organs, such as the penis and testes. All this thanks to the androgen hormone.
2. Helps sperm production
Androgen hormones also regulate the performance and function of the male reproductive organs. This hormone makes men become attracted to a partner, regulates libido or sexual desire, and produces sperm.
3. Changing the character of the voice
When a boy has entered adolescence or puberty, his vocal cords will become longer and thicker. This made the boy's voice sound deeper and deeper. This change in voice occurs due to the increase in androgen hormones in the body during puberty.
4. Supports the growth of body tissues
Androgen hormones also play a role in bone growth. Not only in bones, androgen hormones also play a role in regulating the growth of muscle tissue, the formation of pigment in the skin, the production of oil or sebum in the skin, to the production of red blood cells.
Men may experience androgen deficiency, but this condition generally develops slowly with aging. However, some men are born with androgen deficiency conditions due to genetic or congenital factors.
If there is a lack of androgens, especially testosterone, men can experience erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, limp body, difficulty concentrating and depression. The condition when men are deficient in androgens is called hypogonadism. This condition can be overcome if the cause is clearly known.
Functions of Androgen Hormones in Women
Although androgens are known as “male hormones”, a woman's body also produces androgen hormones. In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries along with estrogen which is one of the main hormones in the female body. In addition to the ovaries, the adrenal glands also produce this hormone.
The amount of testosterone produced by the female body is not as much as in the male body, but its function is no less important. The following are some of the functions of androgen hormones in the female body:
Maintain the health of body organs
Androgen hormones in a woman's body function to support the health of the body's organs. Some of the organs in a woman's body that need androgen hormones to stay healthy are the bones, breasts, and female reproductive organs.
Improve memory and concentration skills
Androgen hormones also have a significant role in women's ability to learn and remember things, especially those related to visuals. Androgen hormones are also known to play a role in supporting concentration and memory in women.
Regulate the performance of the reproductive system
The menstrual cycle, sexual arousal, and female fertility are also influenced by androgen hormone levels in the body. Without balanced levels of androgen hormones, women are more at risk of experiencing disturbances in these things.
If the amount of androgen hormones is problematic, a woman's body can experience irregular menstruation or even no menstruation at all. In addition, disturbances in androgen hormones can also increase a woman's risk for developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
This disease can make it difficult for women to get pregnant, unstable blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance, weight gain, high blood pressure, hirsutism, and increase the risk of heart disease.
The function of androgen hormones is very important for the body, both in men and women. Androgen levels that are too high or low can cause various health problems.
Therefore, if you feel you have a hormone-related problem, such as having a low or too high libido and fertility problems, you can consult a doctor for an examination and get the right treatment.