What is the purpose of estrogens and androgens?
Estrogens and androgens are hormones that play critical roles in regulating not only the reproductive system, but also have important effects on the muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Although estradiol is commonly thought of as a female sex hormone, it plays a critical role in men’s health. Estradiol is the primary hormone responsible for bone turnover and bone quality. It is also important for cognition and the regulation of certain central nervous system and metabolic functions. Testosterone is the predominant androgen in men and women. It is important for mental well-being and for masculine characteristics such as muscle size and strength, bone strength, sexual interest, potency, fertility and hair growth. The balance between estrogens and androgens must exist in order for the body to function optimally. Testosterone levels decline in aging men. While absolute levels of estradiol also decrease, the ratio of estrogens to androgens gradually rises in agin
