What are hormones?
- Testosterone and Androgens
An androgen is any natural or synthetic steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of "male characteristics" in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. This includes the embryological development of the primary "male sex organs", and the development of male secondary sex characteristics at puberty. Androgens are synthesized in the testes, the ovaries, and the adrenal glands.
Androgens are present in all people, regardless of gender or assigned-sex.
Besides testosterone, other androgens include:
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex from cholesterol.It is the primary precursor of both the androgen and estrogen sex hormones.
- Androstenedione (A4) an androgenic steroid produced by the testes, adrenal cortex, and ovaries. While androstenedione is converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, it is also the parent structure of estrone.
- Androstenediol (A5) a steroid metabolite of DHEA and the precursor to sex hormones testosterone and estradiol.
- Androsterone is a chemical byproduct created during the breakdown of androgens, or derived from progesterone, that also exerts minor masculinising effects, but with one-seventh the intensity of testosterone. It is found in approximately equal amounts in the plasma and urine of both AMAB and AFAB pepople. It may be useful for nonbinary AFAB people that desire mild masculinising effects, but no studies on the subject have been done, yet.
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) a metabolite of testosterone, and a more potent androgen than testosterone in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors. It is produced in the skin and reproductive tissue. It is useful for those seeking increased bottom growth
- Estrogens
- HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy
Getting Acsess to Hormone Replacement Therapy:
- Informed Consent
- Therapy-based Acsess