Androgen facts for kids
An androgen is a type of hormone that is often called a male sex hormone. Androgens help control and develop male features in animals with backbones, like humans. The most important androgen is testosterone.
Even though people usually think of androgens as male hormones, females also have them. They just have them in smaller amounts. Androgens are also like building blocks for another type of hormone called estrogens, in both males and females.
The amount of androgens in the body increases in both males and females when they go through puberty. These hormones are made in the testes (male reproductive organs), the ovaries (female reproductive organs), and the adrenal glands (small glands above the kidneys). Sometimes, androgens are also used as medications.
How Androgens Work
Changes During Puberty
When males reach puberty, their androgen levels go up a lot. These hormones help create the male features that develop during this time. These features are called secondary sexual characteristics.
Some of these changes include:
- Growing more body hair, like facial hair
- A deeper voice
- The growth of an Adam's apple
- Wider shoulders
- More muscle mass
Building Muscles
Males usually have more skeletal muscle than females. Androgens help make muscle cells grow bigger. They do this by working with different types of cells in the muscle tissue. This helps to build stronger and larger muscles.
Effect on the Brain
The amount of androgens in your body can affect how you behave. This is because some brain cells, called neurons, can sense these hormones. Androgens can even change the way the brain is built in some animals. This helps create some of the differences between male and female brains.
See also
In Spanish: Andrógeno para niños
