Reproductive
Testes (and ovaries/adrenals)
Testosterone
The main male sex hormone, also important in smaller amounts for women.
What it does
- Drives male development, muscle, bone and libido
- Supports mood and energy in both sexes
Too much
- Too much (or steroid abuse): acne, aggression, and in women, excess hair and voice change
Too little
- Low testosterone: low libido, fatigue, loss of muscle and mood changes
Keeping it balanced: Sleep, strength training, healthy weight and managing stress support testosterone.
Sources & references
Think a hormone may be out of balance?
The symptoms of hormonal excess and deficiency are non-specific — tiredness, weight change, low mood and poor sleep have many everyday causes. No hormone problem can be self-diagnosed from a symptom list.
Diagnosis needs blood tests interpreted alongside your history, sometimes repeated at set times of day because many hormones vary hour to hour. Speak to a GP if symptoms are persistent; seek urgent care for severe symptoms such as confusion, fainting, chest pain or extreme thirst with frequent urination.
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