Sources of Testosterone
Testosterone, the male hormone, is familiar to most people, but few
people actually know what testosterone does to and in the body. If you want to learn more about your hormonal balance or the health of a loved one, it's a good idea to get more facts on testosterone to help increase your knowledge of the hormone and its effect on the body.
Testosterone is found in two main places in the body; for males, the hormone is produced in the testes, and for females, it is produced in the ovaries. Testosterone mainly serves the purpose of providing distinct sexual characteristics to males (especially beginning in puberty) including a deep voice and facial/chest hair.
Small amounts of testosterone can also be found in the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) in both males and females. Even though testosterone is considered a male hormone, it is also very necessary for women, though it is produced in smaller amounts for females.
Since testosterone is naturally occurring in the body, it's very effective for natural growth and development as well as healing. Some people (women especially) have to take hormone supplements to achieve balance in the body after undergoing surgery for cancer or menopause, and some women have undergone testosterone therapy to treat breast cancer, especially after it has spread to the bones.
If you think that you or a loved one would benefit from testosterone therapy, talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.
