What exactly is testosterone anyway? When most people hear the word, they envision an aggressive-acting man lifting tons of weight at the gym and/or strutting around with a hard-to-miss swagger.
Yes, there is some truth to the above two situations: studies have shown there is a link between aggressive behavior and the need to appear “manly,” at least in competitive situations, such as with a peer or for a sexual partner.
However, there appears to be a subtler interplay between testosterone and behavior in other types of situations – in men, and surprisingly, women as well.
Here are some interesting facts about that “man-hormone.”
What exactly is testosterone?
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. It supports normal male traits such as muscle growth, facial hair, and deep voice. In men, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as the testis and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased bone mass. In addition, testosterone is essential for health and well-being, as well as the prevention of osteoporosis.
Women (especially women in love) have testosterone, too.
On average, an adult human male body produces about ten times more testosterone than an adult human female body, but females are more sensitive to the hormone.
According to studies, women in love have higher testosterone for the few months after a relationship starts than women who are single or in long-term relationships.
The opposite is true for men; those newly in love have lower testosterone than men flying solo or with a long-term partner.
Testosterone may help blast that gut.
Men whose levels of testosterone are below normal may lose their spare tire when treated with testosterone.
“Most of the studies show there’s a reduction of abdominal obesity in men who are given testosterone,” says…