Five main hormones for men's health

Knowing your levels of key hormones can give you answers about your sex drive, mood, muscle mass, and energy levels. To help you understand which hormones to check, we'll take you through the important roles of hormones in men's health.

Men's hormones and their functions

 

Hormones are chemical messengers that carry information through the bloodstream to organs and tissues. We commonly label sex hormones as either male or female, even though both men and women produce them. However, each sex produces more hormones that distinguish the sexual characteristics of men and women.

The endocrine glands make hormones. They then travel through the blood to control important body functions. Men's hormones, often dominated by androgens (male sex hormones) like testosterone, are instrumental in developing and maintaining masculine characteristics.

We have over 50 hormones circulating in the body, working with proteins (like sex hormone binding globulin SHGB) to keep us functioning. They are the backbone of men's health, influencing everything from physical strength to emotional wellbeing.

Here are the five main hormones for men's health:

• Testosterone
• Oestrogen
• Prolactin
• Control hormones (LH and FSH)
• Cortisol

1. Testosterone

 

Testosterone is a sex hormone. Men primarily produce it in the testicles, while women produce it in the ovaries.

What is the significance of testosterone for men's health? 

Testosterone impacts sex drive, sperm production, bone and muscle mass, fat distribution, red blood cell production, and mood.

Low testosterone levels can cause a decrease in sex drive, less energy, weight gain, muscle loss, feeling down, and weaker bones. Factors contributing to testosterone deficiency include ageing, testicular injury, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, and stress.

In men, testosterone is responsible for:

• Changes during puberty (development of male characteristics, like the penis and testes, deepening of the voice, facial, and pubic hair growth)
• Maintaining bone and muscle mass
• Regulating body composition, including the muscle-to-fat ratio
• Sex drive (libido)
• Sperm production
• Red blood cell production

Symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Low mood or energy levels
• A reduced libido
• Loss of muscle mass
• Erectile dysfunction
• Male pattern baldness

Having low testosterone levels can impact both physical and mental health. Find out more about testosterone, as well as symptoms and treatment for low testosterone.

Raised testosterone levels can also have an impact on your health, most often seen with anabolic steroid use. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects of anabolic steroid use.

2. Oestrogen

 

Oestrogen is the collective term for a group of hormones. You may initially class oestrogen as only being important for women. You're right that oestrogen is primarily responsible for the development of the female reproductive system. However, this hormone is important for both sexes.

What is the significance of oestrogen for men's health? 

Men make small amounts of oestrogen, which is important for regulating libido, erectile function, and sperm production. Oestradiol is the strongest of the three naturally produced oestrogens. The testes produce oestradiol, a steroid hormone made from cholesterol, at low levels.  

Men can have higher oestradiol levels from too much body fat or as testosterone decreases with age.  

Oestradiol in men is essential for:

• Regulating libido
• Erectile function
• Sperm production

Symptoms of raised oestradiol include:

• Excess growth of breast tissue
• Loss of libido
• Infertility

3. Prolactin

 

The pituitary gland produces prolactin, which is important for reproductive health. Its primary purpose is to stimulate milk production in women after childbirth. In men, its function is less well understood, but it plays a role in reproduction and mood.

What is the significance of prolactin for men's health? 

Low prolactin levels in men are rare. However, raised levels in men can interfere with the function of the testicles and cause problems.

A significantly raised prolactin level affects around one in 200 adults. It is more common in men with impotence or fertility issues and women with absent periods [1]. It's fairly common to receive a mildly raised prolactin, the causes of which are often harmless and related to how you take the test. For example, eating a big meal, recent intercourse, or intense exercise can all lead to a raised result. Find out more about the causes of raised prolactin. 

Maintaining normal prolactin levels is important for hormonal balance and overall health. Usually, addressing the underlying cause is the first step. For example, medications, stress, and alcohol intake can all affect your prolactin levels.

Symptoms of raised prolactin can include:

• Reduced sex drive
• Lack of energy
• Erectile dysfunction
• Breast tissue tenderness and enlargement
• Fertility problems

4. Control hormones - FSH and LH

 

In men, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH) function as key control hormones for regulating the reproductive system. Specifically, they control the production of sperm and testosterone.

What is the significance of FSH for men's health?

FSH from the pituitary gland helps the testes make sperm by providing necessary nutrients and molecules for production. Elevated levels of FSH in men often indicate testicular issues.

Low FSH levels may indicate a pituitary gland problem and can lead to issues with sperm production and fertility. Elevated testosterone levels in the blood can also affect FSH levels, such as through anabolic steroid use or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

What is the significance of LH for men’s health?

LH from the pituitary gland stimulates the testes to produce testosterone. High levels of LH may point to decreased sex steroid production from the testes, which can affect fertility. 

Low levels of LH can be a sign of problems with the pituitary gland. If levels are not sufficient to support testicular function, this too may cause infertility.  

Raised testosterone (potentially from anabolic steroid use) can prevent the pituitary gland from creating LH. This may also cause a reduction in LH levels. 

Causes of raised LH:

• Injury to the testes
• Klinefelter’s syndrome (chromosomal abnormality)
• Mumps
• Previous chemo- or radiotherapy to the testes
• Stress (which can lower testosterone and cause a secondary rise in FSH)
• Tumour of the germ cells (the cells that produce sperm)

5. Cortisol

 

Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates many vital processes throughout the body. The adrenal glands produce cortisol in response to stress.

Almost every cell has cortisol receptors, allowing it to impact various bodily functions.

What is the significance of cortisol for men's health?

Studies show a significant relationship between high cortisol levels and low testosterone levels [2]. If you're curious about potentially experiencing chronic stress, you can check your cortisol level with our Cortisol Saliva Stress Test. 

Cortisol has essential roles, including regulating [3]:

• Stress
• Metabolism
• The body’s immune response

Persistently elevated cortisol levels, due to stress, adrenal gland tumours, or steroid use, can inhibit testosterone production and lead to Cushing’s syndrome.

Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of libido
• High blood pressure
• Thinning of the bones

Low cortisol levels can also impact the body, often due to conditions like Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient cortisol.

Symptoms of Addison’s disease include:

• Abdominal pain
• Physical weakness
• Weight loss

What are normal levels of male hormones?

 

Hormone	Low	Normal	High
Testosterone (nmol/L)	<8	12*-29	>29
Oestradiol (pmol/L)	<41.4	41.4–159	>159
Prolactin (mU/L)	<86	86–324	>324
FSH (IU/L)	<1.5	1.5–12.4	>12.4
LH (IU/L)	<1.7	1.7–8.6	>8.6
9am cortisol (nmol/L)	<133	133–537	>537

 

Testosterone levels between 8 and 12 nmol/L are considered low-normal. Treatment may be necessary based on symptoms and other factors.

*The low-normal threshold for men with diabetes is 8-14 nmol/L.

How to test male hormone levels

 

A blood test to check your hormones can help if you are experiencing symptoms like reduced interest in sex, erectile dysfunction, or reduced muscle mass. Testing can also be beneficial if you’re trying or planning to have children.

Our Male Hormone Blood Test gives you a comprehensive breakdown of the major male hormones and checks whether your levels are in the normal range for your age. Regular testing lets you monitor your hormone levels and understand how they change over time.

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References

1. Kinter KJ, Anekar AA. 2021. Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557634/?report=classic
2. Brownlee KK, Moore AW, Hackney AC. Relationship between circulating cortisol and testosterone: influence of physical exercise. J Sports Sci Med. 2005 Mar 1;4(1):76-83. PMID: 24431964; PMCID: PMC3880087.
3. Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/