Men have estrogen, too

Women are not the only ones who have estrogen. Men have estrogen, too. Both genders also have testosterone.

Estrogen and testosterone are important hormones for the body’s overall function. While the amounts differ in men and women, both must be present and in balance for optimal health.

Often called the “female” hormone, estrogen is higher in women than in men. It is vital to a woman’s sexual functions and female characteristics. In men, estrogen is especially crucial to male sexuality in the form of estradiol, the predominant form of estrogen. Estradiol is essential for modulating libido, erectile function, and sperm production. Much of the estradiol in men is testosterone that has been converted by the enzyme called aromatase.

A man’s estradiol level is normally 10-40 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml), depending on age and medical history. Estrogen increases as men age, which is not concerning unless levels become abnormally high. High estrogen levels can cause health problems, such as gynecomastia (abnormal breast tissue growth & sensitivity), erectile dysfunction, and infertility. Other symptoms can include reduced sex drive, fatigue, shrinking muscle mass, and loss of bone density (osteoporosis).

Testosterone

Men and women produce the same kind of testosterone, often called the “male” hormone. In men, testosterone is mainly produced in the testes. In women, testosterone is produced mainly in the ovaries and converted into female gender hormones.

Men traditionally have more testosterone in their system than women. Testosterone is the main male hormone (an androgen) that promotes the development and maintenance of male gender characteristics, such as facial hair and a deep voice. In men, testosterone is important for bone density, red blood cell production, muscle growth and strength, and sperm production. In women, testosterone is important for breast health, bone health, fertility, and menstrual health.

The normal testosterone level in adult men is 193-824 ng/dl (nanograms per decilitre), and less than 40 ng/dl in adult women, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Treatments are available for men and women with high or low testosterone.

Estrogen and testosterone contribute to the overall body function of men and women. Excessively high or low amounts of the hormones could signify an underlying medical condition. To ensure good health, lab tests can determine a person’s hormone levels.