Page 51 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

M ALE HORMONES 49

Testosterone Shared hormones

Testosterone is the game changer during puberty. It is converted Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are present in
in the testicles to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – the active form of both females and males, but in vastly different amounts.
the hormone – and is regulated by low levels of progesterone. Throughout their lives males produce some oestrogen and
It is DHT that causes the changes to a male’s body during progesterone and females continue to produce low levels
puberty. DHT works on target organs to help the genitals to of testosterone. In males, oestrogen controls body fat and
grow, pubic and body hair to develop as well as facial hair. It also contributes to the sex drive, while progesterone monitors
helps the prostate gland to grow helping semen production. The testosterone production. In females, testosterone is linked
amount of testosterone in the body controls the levels of DHT. to maintaining bone and muscle mass, and contributes to
the sex drive. Hormone levels differ between people and
change over a lifetime.

Oestrogen and progesterone
Testosterone

△ Getting bigger △ Hormone levels
Different levels of testosterone cause males to Males produce ten times more testosterone than females,
mature at different rates. but only half the amount of oestrogen and progesterone.

Other hormones
Hormones don’t just prompt the start of puberty and the development of sexual
characteristics. There are lots of different types at work in everybody, regardless of
sex, that control and coordinate many bodily functions to keep the body healthy.

Maintaining a Managing food processes Coping with stress
healthy body • Leptin regulates the appetite by • Adrenaline raises the heart rate and
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) keeps making the body feel full after eating. produces energy when a person
the body’s water levels balanced. • Gastrin triggers gastric acid in the is under stress.
• Melatonin allows the body to sleep at stomach, which breaks down food. • Cortisol manages the brain’s use of
night and stay awake during the day. • Insulin and glucagon control how sugars, providing more energy.
• Thyroxine determines how quickly or much sugar is released into the blood • Oxytocin enables bonds with other
slowly the body metabolizes food. after eating. people by reducing fear and creating
feelings of trust.

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