Testosterone is just a male sex hormone.
Fact
Fiction
MYTH!
Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone: It’s also the most abundant hormone in women’s bodies — crucial for female development and well-being. It helps support ovulation, for instance. And testosterone isn’t just a sex hormone, either. In men and women, testosterone receptors are found in almost all tissues, and it contributes to lean body mass, bone health, cognitive function and mood, among other attributes.
Testosterone therapy in women: Myths and misconceptions. Glaser R, Dimitrakakis C, Maturitas, 2013:74(3); 230-34
MYTH!
Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone: It’s also the most abundant hormone in women’s bodies — crucial for female development and well-being. It helps support ovulation, for instance. And testosterone isn’t just a sex hormone, either. In men and women, testosterone receptors are found in almost all tissues, and it contributes to lean body mass, bone health, cognitive function and mood, among other attributes.
Testosterone therapy in women: Myths and misconceptions. Glaser R, Dimitrakakis C, Maturitas, 2013:74(3); 230-34
Testosterone drives male aggression.
Fact
Fiction
MYTH!
One of the most common myths is that higher levels of testosterone cause aggression. The fact is that key placebo-controlled trials in which neither the research subjects nor the investigators know which people are getting testosterone have shown that even extremely high doses of the hormone don’t increase hostility, anger or aggression in men.
And when it comes to testosterone produced by people’s own bodies, the studies linking testosterone to aggression and violence are badly flawed because of imprecise measures and poor statistical practice.
Effects of testosterone on mood, aggression, and sexual behaviors in younger men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. O’Connor D, Archer J, Wu F J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun; 89(6):2837--45
MYTH!
One of the most common myths is that higher levels of testosterone cause aggression. The fact is that key placebo-controlled trials in which neither the research subjects nor the investigators know which people are getting testosterone have shown that even extremely high doses of the hormone don’t increase hostility, anger or aggression in men.
And when it comes to testosterone produced by people’s own bodies, the studies linking testosterone to aggression and violence are badly flawed because of imprecise measures and poor statistical practice.
Effects of testosterone on mood, aggression, and sexual behaviors in younger men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. O’Connor D, Archer J, Wu F J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun; 89(6):2837--45
Testosterone can supercharge your sex life.
Fact
Fiction
MYTH!
Researchers haven't unraveled the mystery of just how testosterone increases libido. It's normal for men's sex drive to slowly decline from its peak in their teens and 20s, but libido varies widely between men. What one man might consider a low sex drive, another might not. Also, sex drive changes within each man over time and is affected by stress, sleep, and opportunities for sex. For these reasons, defining a "normal" sex drive is next to impossible. Low testosterone symptoms don't always include feeling like you have no sex drive. Some men maintain sexual desire at relatively low testosterone levels. For other men, libido may lag even with normal testosterone levels.
MYTH!
Researchers haven't unraveled the mystery of just how testosterone increases libido. It's normal for men's sex drive to slowly decline from its peak in their teens and 20s, but libido varies widely between men. What one man might consider a low sex drive, another might not. Also, sex drive changes within each man over time and is affected by stress, sleep, and opportunities for sex. For these reasons, defining a "normal" sex drive is next to impossible. Low testosterone symptoms don't always include feeling like you have no sex drive. Some men maintain sexual desire at relatively low testosterone levels. For other men, libido may lag even with normal testosterone levels.
Testosterone can improve athletic performance.
Fact
Fiction
MYTH!
In sports, testosterone shots or creams are supposed to be magic bullets that spur athletes to train harder, run or bicycle more quickly, jump higher, swim faster, hit a baseball farther, recover sooner. Certainly, the idea that taking doses of the hormone gives competitors an unfair advantage was behind the scandal over Floyd Landis, the 2006 Tour de France winner who officials say tested positive for elevated testosterone on the day of his comeback during the final stage of the race.
Scientists who study testosterone are not convinced that taking testosterone improves endurance or overall athletic performance. Unlike a caffeinated sports drink, testosterone does not provide an instant jolt, but works over time to bulk and fortify muscles.
Some athletes have illegally use anabolic steroids, the muscle-promoting drugs or hormonal substances that are chemically related to testosterone, in the form of injections, skin patches, creams or pills. While these steroids can stimulate muscle building, they will not transform couch potatoes into Olympic athletes.
MYTH!
In sports, testosterone shots or creams are supposed to be magic bullets that spur athletes to train harder, run or bicycle more quickly, jump higher, swim faster, hit a baseball farther, recover sooner. Certainly, the idea that taking doses of the hormone gives competitors an unfair advantage was behind the scandal over Floyd Landis, the 2006 Tour de France winner who officials say tested positive for elevated testosterone on the day of his comeback during the final stage of the race.
Scientists who study testosterone are not convinced that taking testosterone improves endurance or overall athletic performance. Unlike a caffeinated sports drink, testosterone does not provide an instant jolt, but works over time to bulk and fortify muscles.
Some athletes have illegally use anabolic steroids, the muscle-promoting drugs or hormonal substances that are chemically related to testosterone, in the form of injections, skin patches, creams or pills. While these steroids can stimulate muscle building, they will not transform couch potatoes into Olympic athletes.
