Male hormone. Male hormones in women

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Male hormone. Male hormones in women
Male hormone. Male hormones in women
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Human sex hormones are special compounds that are produced in the corresponding glands and adrenal cortex. According to their chemical structure, the substances belong to the category of steroids. The female and male hormones are progestogens, estrogens, and androgens. All of them are present in the body in varying concentrations.

male hormone
male hormone

General information

Estrogens are represented by estradiol and its derivatives - estriol and estrone. Androgens are the hormone testosterone and androsterone. They are produced in the interstitial cells of the testicles. The adrenal glands produce androgenic steroids. Next, we will analyze what a male hormone is.

Androgens: basic information

Male hormone not found in urine. It contains a product of steroid metabolism. It's called androsterone. The production of androgens also occurs in the adrenal cortex. In the urine, metabolites such as dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroisoandrosterone are present. In addition to these compounds, androgenic biologically inert substances are also found in it. For example, 3(α)-hydroxyeticholan-17-one.

Androgen production

This or that male hormone in the female body, which is excreted in the urine, is predominantly of adrenal origin. Some of the androgens are produced in the ovary. Some men excrete a certain amount of androgens in the urine. They are also of adrenal origin. This is evidenced by the results of urine tests of eunuchs and castrates. As mentioned above, androgens in men are predominantly formed in the testes. The producers are Leydig cells. They are present in the interstitial tissue. It was found that during the treatment with phenylhydrazine (a substance that reacts with keto compounds) sections of the testis, a positive reaction was observed exclusively in Leiding cells. It indicates the presence of ketosteroids in the tissue. Against the background of cryptorchidism, a disorder of spermatogenic function is noted. However, over a relatively long period, the production of androgens remains normal. Leiding cells remain intact (intact).

increased male hormones in women
increased male hormones in women

Influence of androgens

Male hormone and its derivatives have a selective effect on the development of secondary dependent sexual characteristics. In particular, under the influence of androgens occurs:

  • Growth and formation of the epididymis, penis, prostate, seminal vesicles.
  • Male pattern hair. In particular, a beard, mustache, hair on the body, limbs, pubic hair (in the form of a diamond) grows.
  • larynx enlargement.
  • Thickening of the vocal cords. This lowers the tone.
  • The emergence of an adequate sex drive.
  • Stimulation of muscle and whole body growth.

Mechanisms of regulation

The hypothalamus is located in the brain. It controls the functions of the genital organs of men. In the nuclei of the hypothalamus, there is a constant production of gonadoliberin. In women, unlike men, it is produced cyclically. Gonadoliberin provides stimulation of the pituitary gland located in the brain. It first produces luteinizing hormone (lutropin), and subsequently follitropin (FSH - follicle-stimulating). The release of GnRH by the hypothalamus is regulated by a feedback mechanism. The release of this compound is reduced due to its own high concentration, as well as an increased content of lutropin and follitropin, estrogen and testosterone.

Steroid activity

Stimulation of the formation of testosterone in the testicles is provided by luteinizing hormone. Follitropin is considered the main activator of the growth and formation of the seminiferous tubules, as well as the formation of spermatozoa. Estrogens are synthesized in small amounts in the testicles. From the testicles, the male hormone is distributed throughout the body. Transportation is carried out by carrier proteins. In the tissues of the body, the male hormone breaks down into 2 types of steroids. They are more active. These steroids are dihydrotestosterone and a small number of estrogens. The concentration of the latter increases with age and with an increase in body weight. This is due to the fact that in men, the production of estrogens mainly occurs in adipose tissue.

hormone testosterone
hormone testosterone

Androgen concentration

Boys have slightly higher male hormone levels at the time of birth than girls. After the birth of the first, the concentration begins to increase significantly, but, however, decreases by the first year of life. Until adolescence, the male hormone is contained in a small volume. And then the level increases again. In the period from 17 to 60 years, its concentration is almost constant. After sixty, the level of the male hormone in men begins to decline.

Androgen deficiency

With a deficiency of sex hormones in men in prenatal development, the development of anomalies of the genital tract is likely. Specifically:

  • Microphallus.
  • Cryptorchism.
  • Hypospadias.

Before adolescence "eunuchoidism":

  • No puberty marked.
  • Poor muscle development, partial or complete absence of body hair, impaired bone formation.
  • Bone skeletal disorder: arm span is disproportionate to growth upward by a few centimeters.

After adolescence:

  • Libido disorder.
  • Preservation of most of the formed sexual characteristics of the secondary type.
  • Violation of erectile dysfunction - the disappearance of spontaneous and provoked by adequate stimuli erections.
  • Smaller testicles, sperm quality and muscle strength.
  • Development of concomitant psycho-emotional disorders up to depression.
  • The appearance of insufficiency of the functions of the gonads with impaired formation of spermatozoa and androgens.

A significant decrease in testosterone concentration can provoke male infertility.

male hormone in the female body
male hormone in the female body

Physiological properties of androgens

The male hormone has the ability to influence protein metabolism. Androgen has a stimulating effect on the formation of these compounds, mainly in the muscles. The most pronounced anabolic effect is observed in methyl testosterone and testosterone propionate. However, other androgens do not have the ability to stimulate protein accumulation. These include, in particular, dehydroandrosterone.

Male hormone in the female body

Androgens are also present in the opposite sex. However, they are normally found in low concentrations. If a woman has more male hormones, then there is an endocrine disorder. Such violations are noted in practice rather infrequently. As a rule, increased male hormones in women occur during the reproductive years.

female and male hormones
female and male hormones

Main symptoms of androgen excess

If male hormones in women are found in large quantities, then it is customary to talk about a serious imbalance. This phenomenon occurs under certain conditions. In the male body, as mentioned above, there are more androgens, and in the female - estrogens. Ladies, as a rule, do not have such hair growth: the cover is noted on the head, pubis, but is not observed on the body, lips, chin, neck, abdomen, back. However, with the production of androgens in large quantities, a condition such as hirsutism develops. It is manifested by the appearance of "male" signs. In particular, the areas mentioned above are covered with hair. It should be noted here, however, that hirsutism is most often a hereditary pathology, and in some cases it is provoked by a cyst in the ovaries (polycystic syndrome). Also, the presence of male hormones in women can be indicated by inflammation in the sebaceous glands - acne. As a rule, foci are noted in the forehead, neck. In some cases, acne appears on the upper back, shoulders, chest. An excess of androgens is also evidenced by menstrual disorders. These disorders can also be triggered by polycystic syndrome. And he, in turn, is due to the production of androgens in large quantities. Irregular cycles can manifest as missed periods and excessive bleeding.

Fidelity and infertility

Among the most serious complications of androgen excess in women is the inability to conceive. This may be due to the fact that the irregularity of menstruation will be interrupted by the ovulation cycle. Another complication of excessive production of male hormones in women is believed to be verilization. In this case, we are talking about the development of unusual physical qualities. In particular, a woman's voice can become rough, the timbre is lower. Some subjects even have baldness.

deciphering hormones
deciphering hormones

Blood test

Laboratory research can show the state of various systems and organs. Normally, under adequate conditions, hormonal balance is maintained in the body. This balance is provided by a certain concentration of steroids. With any deviations, certain pathologies begin to develop. A blood test allows you to identify hormonal imbalances, to establish the cause of the disease. Based on the results of the research, specialists select the optimal therapeutic course. Analyzes are used in oncology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neuropathology, gynecology, urology and other medical fields.

When should I get tested?

Hormonal testing is usually recommended if there is a suspicion of the development of disorders of the activity of the intrasecretory glands or when they are diagnosed with an increase.

Indications for the appointment of an analysis for estrogens are considered:

  • Infertility.
  • Irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
  • Miscarriage.
  • Overweight.
  • Acne.
  • Mastopathy (cystic-fibrous).

Indications for androgen testing are:

  • Disorders of ovarian activity.
  • Overweight.
  • Suspicion of tumor processes.
  • Women have hair.
  • Disturbances in the work of the kidneys.
  • Infertility.
  • Acne.
  • human hormones
    human hormones

During pregnancy, a hormonal study is recommended for suspected pathology of fetal development. The material used is venous blood. In accordance with clinical signs, a study of a particular steroid is prescribed. Laboratory analysis of human chorionic gonadotropin, which is produced in the cells of the germinal membrane, makes it possible to detect pregnancy in the early stages. In particular, it can be determined already on the sixth or tenth day after successful fertilization.

The results of the tests. Deciphering hormones

Normal estrogen values depend on the phases of the cycle. Their increased rates may indicate tumors in the ovaries and adrenal cortex or cirrhosis of the liver. The estrogen content may also be reduced. In this case, sclerosis or underdevelopment of the ovaries can be diagnosed. The norm for progesterone: 1 phase - 1.0-2.2; 2 phase - 23.0-30.0, postmenopause - 1.0-1.8 nM/l; for estradiol - 1 - 198-284; 2 - 439-570; postmenopause - 51-133 pM / l. Androgen levels do not depend on the cycle. For women, the norm is 0.38-1.97, for men - 4.94-32.01 nmol / l. In case of any deviations, additional studies may be prescribed. In such cases, a consultation with an endocrinologist, andrologist or gynecologist is mandatory.

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