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19. Testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) :: Posted Thursday, May 24, 2001 by admin ::
Testosterone and DHT, a metabolic product of testosterone, are required in males for normal development in the womb and for development in adolescence of libido or sex drive. They are important in the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as pubic and facial hair, and the maturation of male muscle mass and skeletal integrity.
Testosterone is the male sex hormone associated with sexual drive, fertility, muscle growth, and male psychosocial attitudes. DHT, is more essential for the fetal development of the male reproductive system and the male genitalia. If in males, the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT is lacking during fetal development, then the female-appearing genitalia system will be formed although these men will be genetically males. These males appear physically as rather thin-hipped and small-breasted but highly attractive females. Normally, personality difficulties emerge since these men possess many male attitudes. At this point, genetic testing often reveals their basic male identity and hormonal therapy is often used to switch their body into a more male growth pattern.
However, later in life, a higher than normal blood DHT level appears to cause premature aging of the male reproductive system, male pattern baldness, and the prostate condition known as benign prostate hyperplasia which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. An enlargement of the prostate gland makes urination increasingly difficult in men as they age. The production of DHT in older men is not well controlled by biochemical feedback mechanisms and compounds such a saw palmetto oil or the Merck drug Proscar (finasteride) are used to reduce the body's level of DHT.
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