Testosterone has different effects in men and women

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1. Testosterone effect in women

A new study reveals that high levels of the sex hormone testosterone can cause different health problems in men and women. Specifically, the researchers collected genetic data on more than 425,000 men and women. They found more than 2,500 genetic variations related to testosterone levels and the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) protein. The results were analyzed to see if there was an association between testosterone and certain diseases.
Although testosterone is a male sex hormone, a woman's ovaries and adrenal glands also produce small amounts of it. In women, high testosterone levels were associated with a 37 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes and a 51 percent increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that affects menstruation.

Testosterone in women may not be beneficial because it converts to estradiol - which is linked to breast cancer risk. High levels of testosterone in females have also been shown to increase visceral fat, leading to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

2. Testosterone effect in men

In men, high testosterone levels are associated with a 14% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. In other words, high levels of testosterone in men have a protective effect and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but more research is needed to elucidate the mechanism.
Men have high testosterone through increased lean muscle mass instead of fat, which improves insulin sensitivity and reduces the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. However, there is no recommendation for men to use testosterone supplements to avoid diabetes.

These are new findings on the impact of testosterone on health. In particular, the experts emphasized the importance of looking at men and women separately in studies. Because as mentioned, there is research that finds opposite testosterone effects on diabetes in both sexes.

3. Testosterone Supplement Therapy

Too much or too little testosterone is not good. Both men and women need to reach normal values ​​for this hormone. Although testosterone replacement in truly deficient individuals is essential, testosterone supplementation in men and women who already have normal values ​​has not demonstrated benefit.
Testosterone therapy always comes with potential risks, including increased red blood cell counts and rates of prostate cancer, especially in people with multiple risk factors.

Scientists need to do similar experiments on testosterone with other diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. Therefore, caution should still be exercised when promoting testosterone supplementation in men based on the results of studies for diabetes.
Obese men or those with type 2 diabetes would benefit more from lifestyle changes to improve testosterone levels. Namely weight loss, healthy diet and exercise. This approach is more recommended by experts than testosterone replacement therapy in men.

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Reference source: webmd.com