Male Hormones
Hormones are the sweet naughty chemicals that go about changing our body, for good, but at times, for worse. Though when we speak of hormones, we think of a woman, sometimes in hysteria or agony. But if we paid any attention to those biology textbooks in grades 6 to 8, we would have known that hormones do so much more than make people look crazy! And even though these invisible troublemakers go berserk in female bodies, they do affect a male frame and mentality just as much!
It wondered me so much that my inquisitiveness took me to Dr. Yash Lapsiwala, an Endocrinologist who enlightened me on the different stages of the male hormonal cycle.
The Male Hormonal Cycle
Broadly, the male hormonal cycle is divided into four parts.
- Pre-pubertal stage (6-9 years of age)
- Pubertal stage (11-17 years of age)
- Adult phase
- Andropause (triggered around late 40s)
1. Pre-pubertal stage
the first being the pre-pubertal stage, which lasts from 6 to 9 years of age, where androgens and other hormones are nice to the boy, helping in his growth.
2. Pubertal stage
Then comes the notorious pubertal stage from age 11-17, which turns the life of a child inwardly upside down. Say hello to pubic hair, oily skin and hair, and body odour. The size of the testes and penis increase and the boy feels like a man. The psychological effects of such a hormonal rush also inhibit socially accepted manly qualities of bravery, aggressiveness, and adventurousness.
3. Adult phase
Now comes the ‘adult’ phase where the boy-now-turned-a-man would like more independence and freedom.
4. Andropause
And last, but the beast of all - andropause, (triggered around the late 40s) - A male counterpart of menopause where testosterone level drops and the man goes through many discomforts like mood swings, stress, low sex drive, etc!
Some researchers also claim that male hormones are regulated seasonally. That biologically, makes them prefer to reproduce before the chilly winter winds hit their parts. So their libido and testosterone levels are at their peak during spring and summer. No matter the spring and summer are considered the seasons of love!
In addition to that, testosterone levels are highest in the morning, reducing gradually during the day, and at their lowest at night, giving the reason for many steamy mornings!
Conclusion
Though many argue that the hormonal shift in men is quite gradual, giving small doses of it at a time, and that it doesn’t affect the male body as much as it does females. Though we cannot completely strike away the fact that socially men are expected to work all day, and the “apt manly trait” is for the males to not talk or pay much attention to their bodies and mental discomfort, which makes them less attentive to these factors of themselves. And it is also established and accepted that not wide research has been done on the topic like done for the woman, so the question mark about many male hormonal aspects still lingers.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Do Men Have Hormonal Cycles? | Hormonal Dermatology
Reviewed by Dr. Yash Yatish Lapsiwala (MD General Medicine, Consultant Diabetologist and Endocrine Specialist)
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