Where Is Testosterone Produced?
Testosterone is well-known as the male sex hormone, and as such, is obviously produced in the testes. That is not, however, the only place that a man’s body manufacturers this essential hormone. The adrenal glands take up the production of a small portion of this process, as well. Women can replace the testes with the ovaries for their majority of testosterone secretion.
Understanding that the answer to where is testosterone produced makes it easy to see why it is considered a sex hormone. Testosterone secretion by the testes and ovaries go hand in hand with its ability to stimulate libido, erectile function in men, and vaginal lubrication in women.
Examining where is testosterone produced and what does it do for the body can fill pages of reports, but the most crucial reasons why it is vital to protect testosterone levels are listed below:
- Maintaining a proper lean to fat body mass percentage
- Increasing bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis
- Sharpening mental functions, memory, and concentration
- Increasing cardiac capacity for exercise
- Improving heart health
- Increasing red blood cell production
- Improving lean muscle mass
- Enhancing sexual desire, arousal, performance, and pleasure
- Restoring drive, motivation, and productivity
- Balancing mood and outlook
- Improving sleep
Understanding the Production Process of Testosterone in Men
We have already explained where is testosterone produced in males, but the process is actually more complicated than just stating the testes. There are other chemical messengers that play a role in testosterone production:
- Luteinizing hormone – LH
- Follicle stimulating hormone – FSH
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone – GHRH
When testosterone levels dip lower than what the body requires, the hypothalamus releases GHRH into the bloodstream which then heads straight to the pituitary gland. Here, in this tiny gland at the base of the skull, LH and FSH are released into the bloodstream to head straight down to the testes where the Leydig cells synthesize cholesterol into testosterone. FSH also helps stimulate the production process and maturation of sperm cells.
How do Women Produce Testosterone?
We have mentioned that the ovaries are the answer to where is testosterone produced and released in women, but, just as with men, there is more to it than that. Testosterone, just like estrogen and progesterone, is produced in the ovaries as a response to luteinizing hormone signals. LH also plays a role in the development of the ova and ovulation. FSH stimulates ovarian follicle growth and egg development.
The adrenal glands are also responsible for a small percentage of the testosterone that is secreted each day. Belly fat can convert some of the free testosterone into estrogen, lowering the amount of testosterone that is available for the body to use.
How to Help Your Body Produce Testosterone
It is natural to worry about testosterone production as the lack of it can have damaging effects on the body. Conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, sleep apnea, and dementia are often associated with Low T as many people with these conditions have been diagnosed with low levels of testosterone in their bodies.
That is why individuals who wonder where is testosterone produced in humans worry because they want to increase the amount of testosterone their bodies are secreting each day for optimum health and well-being.
Here are the best methods for helping your body produce testosterone:
- Ensure that you are getting between 7 and 9 hours of quality sleep each night
- Consume heart-healthy fats such as:
- Avocados
- Fish oil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Flax
- Exercise at high intensity with short rest periods of no more than a minute between sets
- Reduce stress – it secretes hormones that are counterproductive to testosterone
- Increase intake of the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Vitamin B 6
- Magnesium
- Ginseng
If you believe you have Low T or have already been diagnosed with this condition elsewhere, these methods may not work for increasing the level of testosterone in your body. It may be time to turn to testosterone therapy and the incredible results that it can bring.
Kingsberg Medical is a hormone replacement therapy clinic helping men and women be all they can be through the balancing of hormone levels in the body. To find out more about this subject, or to arrange for a local blood test, please contact us directly by phone or the short form on this page. Consultations are always provided confidentially at no charge.
Brian Leeber