When is dihydrotestosterone elevated in women and men?

Dihydrotestosterone (5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone) is a potent steroid, similar in its action to androstenedione and testosterone. Dihydrotestosterone in women is formed from androstenedione, in men - from testosterone. In the synthesis of this hormone, an important enzyme, such as 5-alpha-reductase, also participates.

Metabolic conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone occurs in the tissues of male testes, in particular in the prostate gland. The hormone controls the formation of prostate cells and its epithelium, plays an important role in the formation of muscle mass during the growth and maturation of the male body and its sexual activity. Reduced levels of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone provoke impotence in men.

As it becomes clear, dihydrotestosterone belongs to the number of male sex hormones. And immediately the question arises, why do male hormones are needed for a woman's body? Nevertheless, they play an extremely important role in the life of a woman.

Dihydrotestosterone in women

For the production of hormones, including, and male - androgens, in the body of the woman adrenal glands are responsible. There are five such androgens in the female body - dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. In this case, only testosterone can exert a direct effect on women's organs and tissues. The first three are pro-hormones, so they can only show their activity by turning into testosterone. Dihydrotestosterone, in contrast, is a testosterone metabolism product.

Throughout life, the levels of each androgen in the female body change. If we talk about dihydrotestosterone, then its highest rate is observed during puberty, when girls begin to appear secondary sexual characteristics - an increase in the mammary glands, the appearance of pubic hair, etc. Therefore, this androgen, like all the others, "get together" Responsible for the correct sexual maturation of the female body.

If dihydrotestosterone is elevated in women, then depending on age, the likelihood of signs of hyperandrogenism is becoming more prominent: hirsutism (growth of hair on the whole body or some of its parts), clitoromaglia (clitoral enlargement), acne. The increase in dihydrotestosterone in adolescence in girls can cause the absence of menstruation, coarsening of the voice and the development of the skeleton by the male type. At a more mature age, dihydrotestosterone is elevated in women if there is hair loss, infertility and a number of other problems. Nevertheless, the increase in the level of dihydrotestosterone may not occur so often - only 5-8% of women.

Dihydrotestosterone in men

In men, an increase in the content of dihydrotestosterone in the blood can provoke prostatic hyperplasia and the onset of cancer. The increased release of endogenous testosterones promotes the accelerated growth of muscle tissue, baldness and acne on the skin. This is due to premature puberty and adrenal hyperplasia in adolescents. At the same time, unlike testosterone, dihydrotestosterone has a closer connection with androgen receptors in the tissues. Its greatest concentration is present in the skin of the genitals and hair follicles. Thus, with an increase in the level of dihydrotestosterone, baldness may occur or, on the contrary, excessive hairiness throughout the body.

The level of hormones in boys decreases in the first week after birth, rises at the end of the second month of life, then again slowly decreases. Its growth occurs even when the boy reaches puberty, which is clearly seen not only in blood tests, but also in the condition of the skin. In girls, the level of the hormone gradually decreases, beginning with the first month of life and up to the prepubertal age, after which it begins to increase. During pregnancy, as a rule, the level of dihydrotestosterone decreases. If during this period dihydrotestosterone is elevated in women, then there is a high probability of thrombophlebitis and adrenoblastoma.

The purpose of the hormone DHT

In cases where dihydrotestosterone is lowered in women, there is an additional reception. Indications for the appointment dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can serve as its congenital deficiency, hirsutism, decreased libido, impotence in men and so on. With strict control, the drug can be used to treat a benign prostatic tumor.

The hormone DHT is important in the formation of the central nervous system, since the nerve cells are endowed with androgen receptors. Dihydrotestosterone has a stronger effect on them than testosterone. The intake of these hormones supports the growth of receptors of nerve cells in the body for 24 hours. According to some scientists, this phenomenon is due to the copying of genes in DNA strings.

The effect of DHT on the central nervous system and skeletal muscles allows athletes to increase achievements in sports, adapt the body to strengthened training and build muscle. Often from athletes you can hear complaints about slow muscle growth when taking these medications. In this case, this may be due to the participation in the process of other hormones produced by the body and reducing the effect of testosterone in self-defense. In any case, DHT should not be considered a hormone that causes side effects.

The norm of dihydrotestosterone in the body of an adult male is considered to be 250-990 pg / ml, for women 24-450 pg / ml. There are a number of diseases in which dihydrotestosterone is elevated in women and men in the blood constantly. These include:

• Hirsutism, some types of adrenal cortex tumor;
• Adrenoblastoma and thrombophlebitis during pregnancy;
• Extragonadal neoplasm and virilizing tumor of ovaries in men;
• Testicular feminization.

With a decrease in the level of DHT in the blood can manifest such diseases:

• Gynecomastia;
• Down syndrome;
• liver failure;
• impotence;
• Myotonic dystrophy of the muscles, and many other diseases.