Male Hormones 101 Flashcards
What are androgens?
Steroid hormones produced by testes and adrenal cortex
They are…
Made from cholesterol
Help sustain and maintain male sexual reproductive health
Have 2 effects on the body: development of male sexual characteristics & promote growth of muscles, hair, and bone
What are 4 androgens produced by men?
Testosterone, DHEA, DHT, and androstenedione
What is testosterone?
Most abundant sex steroid, produced in Leydig cells of testes
What is DHEA?
Hormone secreted by adrenal glands
What is DHT?
The most important & active hormone involved in genital tissue development and also plays a role in libido
What is androstenedione?
Andro - produced in the testes and adrenal cortex and effects estrogen & testosterone levels
Where are androgen receptors found?
In the brain as well as the:
Amygdala, cingulate gurus, frontal & prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, midbrain, preoptic hypothalamus, and temporal lobe
What is andropause?
Late onset hypogonadism (LOH) occurs in about 2% of male population.
-similar to menopause
-diagnosis requires both symptoms + serum T (testosterone) levels
-most common symptoms:
Decreased frequency of morning erections
Decreased frequency of sexual thoughts
Erectile dysfunction
What other hormones play an important role in male sexual health and function?
Prolactin, oxytocin, and thyroid hormones
What are the effects of stress on male hormones?
Long-term stressors can have detrimental effects from the hypothalamus to testicles:
Decreased testosterone, sperm production, and libido
Negatively impacts thyroid and hypothyroidism might be connected with low libido
What else might impact testosterone levels?
Obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes
What can improve blood pressure, memory, sleep, and libido?
Meditation
(Other positive effects:
Get some space from their minds
Control what’s going on inside to help cope with outside
Find mental and emotional balance
Strengthen the tone of the vagus nerve which regulates rest and digest nervous system)
What are the two types of meditation that you can teach to clients when developing a meditation practice?
Analytical - intuitively ponder a specific instruction in order to reach conclusion or feeling
Placement - focusing on an object (breath, positive feeling, etc.) in order to set the mood for the day
What are 6 ways to boost testosterone naturally?
Weight loss
Diet modifications (real food, healthy fats, low glycemic index fruits eaten with protein)
Exercise (HIIT)
Stress reduction & fun (low-key exercise, movement, mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, belly breathing
Sleep (6-8 hrs)
Vitamin D
