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Testosterone and beyond: everything you need to know about male hormones
Written byLaura Harcourt
Reviewed byHeeral Tomlinson
Testosterone, oestrogen, cortisol and more, you might be familiar with these hormones, but how do they affect men’s health?
Summary
1What are male hormones?
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, but these aren’t the only hormones circulating around...
2Difference between men’s and women’s hormones
Men and women have the same hormones, but at different levels and this affects the body in different ways...
3What can affect men’s hormone levels?
Your hormones can be influenced by so many things, like ageing, obesity and even how much sleep you get...
When we talk about hormones, we don’t often discuss how they affect men’s health. Yet they’re a powerful undercurrent shaping mood, energy, fertility and long-term wellbeing.
While testosterone plays a starring role for men, a complex cast of other hormones also work behind the scenes. Understanding this intricate system is a crucial part of the conversation around men’s health. So, let's discuss the main hormones that affect men’s health, how they differ from women’s hormones and what might cause them to become unbalanced.
What are male hormones?
Men and women have the same hormones in their bodies, but it’s where in the body these hormones are produced, their concentrations in your blood and the way they affect your body that differ.1,2 While you might be familiar with testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, there are lots of others that affect your overall health and wellbeing, too. This includes hormones like luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), cortisol and more.3
These hormones are chemical messengers that orchestrate key functions in your body, and together, this network regulates everything from mood to fertility and bone density.4,5
6 hormones that can affect men’s health
The primary male sex hormone, testosterone, is responsible for the development of male characteristics during puberty, like a deeper voice, facial hair and increased muscle mass.6 In adulthood, testosterone is essential for maintaining libido, bone density and muscle, as well as influencing mood and cognitive function.6 Low testosterone in men can lead to a variety of symptoms, like reduced sex drive, loss of muscle and bone mass, and even depression.7,8
While normally associated with female health, oestrogen plays a role in men’s health too, by helping to maintain bone density, regulate libido and ensure healthy erectile function and sperm production.9,10 Low or high oestrogen in men have similar symptoms like reduced sperm production, breast tissue growth, decreased bone density and erectile dysfunction.11,12,13
These two hormones are produced in the brain’s pituitary gland and are important regulators of the male reproductive system.14,15 LH stimulates the testes to produce testosterone, while FSH works with testosterone to support sperm production in the testes.16,17 Sometimes, an imbalance of these two hormones can cause difficulties with fertility or testosterone levels.16,17
Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone. It’s produced by the adrenal glands to help the body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar and regulating your metabolism.18 It’s a necessary hormone for short-term “fight or flight” responses, but high levels of cortisol thanks to long-term stress can have negative effects on your body, like weight gain or a decrease in testosterone production.19
Best known as the hormone which stimulates breast milk production in pregnant women, men also have prolactin – albeit in much smaller quantities.20 This hormone is thought to help protect the central nervous system and reduce anxiety.21,22,23 Plus, prolactin in men spikes after their partners give birth, which is thought to be associated with the urge to care for and comfort their child.24
Known as the love hormone, oxytocin is released during physical touch and social interaction, making it really important for social bonding, empathy and trust. 25,26 Oxytocin in men also works to support erectile function, ejaculation and post-ejaculatory refractory periods.27,28 Like prolactin, oxytocin is believed to be a key component of the male-parent bond, helping to foster feelings of attachment and care.29,30
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What’s the difference between male and female hormones?
Both men and women have the same hormones, but as previously mentioned, we have different levels and this affects the body in different ways. For instance, while men make progesterone and oestrogen, it’s their testosterone levels that are much more significant.6 In fact, men are thought to have 15 to 20 times more testosterone circulating in their bodies than women. 31
It’s also testosterone that’s mostly responsible for what we typically consider ‘male’ physical characteristics like facial hair and a deeper voice.31
The male hormone cycle
While women have a monthly hormone cycle (the menstrual cycle), men experience a cycle every 24 hours. During this time, your testosterone levels will rise and fall. They tend to align with your circadian rhythm (your sleep-wake cycle) by peaking in the morning and decreasing throughout the day – with a notable decline in the evening.32
Men over the age of 45 naturally have less testosterone than younger men, so they tend to have steadier testosterone levels throughout the day without the morning spike.31
This peak in testosterone means you might feel more alert and focused in the morning and quieter, more subdued in the evening.33 However, this daily hormonal cycle can be influenced by lots of factors like sleep and age.34
What can cause a hormonal imbalance in men?
Hormonal imbalances can affect both men and women. In men, this can be caused by factors like...
Ageing
Testosterone levels naturally decrease with age, but don’t panic – the decline is gradual at less than 2% a year from around the age of 30.35 This is sometimes referred to as ‘andropause’ or ‘male menopause’ but the NHS states these terms are unhelpful and misleading. This is because it suggests the symptoms are the result of a sudden drop in testosterone, like with female menopause, instead of a steady decline.34,35
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has shown to be closely associated with lower testosterone levels in clinical studies.36 In one large study, researchers found that men with low testosterone levels had around a 50% higher risk of being diagnosed with diabetes compared to men with normal testosterone levels.37
Obesity
If you're overweight or obese, it can affect your testosterone levels but it's a complex relationship and can create a bit of a vicious cycle.38,39 Excess body fat contains an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone into oestrogen, which lowers the levels of testosterone in the body.40
But weight gain is often a side effect of low testosterone too.38 So, if you're overweight and therefore producing less testosterone, you might also start gaining more weight too thanks to lower testosterone.38 The good news is that this cycle can be broken – losing weight, even a small amount, has shown to help increase your testosterone levels.41,42
Lack of sleep
A good night’s sleep is really important for testosterone production. When you’re sleeping, your testosterone levels increase, so less sleep means less testosterone has built up overnight.43,44 In fact, in one older study, researchers found that even a short period of interrupted sleep, like sleeping for only five hours a night for a week, can lead to a 10-15% drop in testosterone levels.45
The final say
Maintaining balanced hormones is key for your health and wellbeing, as when factors like excess weight or poor sleep cause this delicate system to become imbalanced, it can lead to a range of effects. But, by understanding what these hormones do and what can disrupt them, you can take proactive steps to support your health and live a more balanced life.
We know your hormones can be confusing at times, especially as they can affect many aspects of your health – from your mood to fertility and much more. Check out our guide to hormones that affect your fertility or our tips to managing your mental health.
Disclaimer – The information in this article is for educational purposes only and not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. It provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. You should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
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