How Testosterone Effects the Body of Males and Females

Steroids were once viewed as a substance only being used by body builders, fitness fanatics and professional athletes, however, in the society of today, steroid use is becoming more commonplace.

While the short term effects of steroid use are well known, it is the long term adverse effects that are unknown and to date, have not been studied. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid secreted by the testicles in a male, in the ovaries of women and in small amounts by the adrenal glands in both sexes.  In males, testosterone plays an integral role in overall health and accounts for the physical differences between genders.

For males, testosterone is responsible for virilization and androgenic qualities.  The anabolic effects of testosterone include muscle growth and strength, increase in bone density and stimulating linear growth and bone maturation.  The virilizing effects of testosterone in males includes maturation of the sex organs, deepening of the voice, the growth of facial hair and male secondary sexual characteristics.

How testosterone effects the female body is best witnessed in adulthood.  The hormone is responsible for clitoral enlargement, sex drive, mental and physical energy and plays a role in the fight-or-flight hormonal response regulation. Testosterone can be labeled as the “impulse” hormone, and how it effects the body of a male versus a female differs dramatically.  Having a normal level of testosterone in the body is very important for the health, development and well-being of both males and females.
How Testosterone Builds Muscle

There are many hormones that play an important part of how the body responds to exercise, increases strength and builds muscle tissue.  Testosterone is an anabolic steroidal hormone, the word “anabolic,” refers to the building up of body tissues.

Testosterone is the number one hormone used in the development of muscle and strength and through regular exercise, fine motor skills, fitness, muscle and bone strength and joint function increase.  The mechanism of action by which testosterone increases muscle mass is not well documented and further studies are ongoing.