Editing Androgen (section)

{{Short description|Any steroid hormone that promotes male characteristics}}
{{About|androgens as natural hormones|androgens as medications|Anabolic steroid|and|Androgen replacement therapy}}
{{Redirect|Androgenic|articles related to adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline (norepinephrine)|Adrenergic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
{{Infobox drug class
| Image = Testosteron.svg
| ImageClass = skin-invert-image
| Alt =
| Caption = Testosterone, the major androgen
| Width = 225px
| Synonyms = Androgenic hormone; Testoid
| Use = [[Hypogonadism]], [[transgender men]], [[performance enhancement]], [[bodybuilding]], others
| MeshID = D000728
| Consumer_Reports =
| ATC_prefix = G03B
| Drugs.com =
| Biological_target = [[Androgen receptor]], [[Membrane androgen receptor|mAR]]s (e.g., [[GPRC6A]], others)
}}
An '''androgen''' (from Greek ''andr-'', the stem of the word meaning {{gloss|man}}) is any natural or synthetic [[steroid hormone]] that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics in [[vertebrate]]s by binding to [[androgen receptor]]s.<ref name="Moini">{{Cite book| vauthors = Moini J |quote=Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, which stimulates or controls the development of masculine characteristics by binding to androgen receptors.|title=Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians|date=2015|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=978-1-30-568615-1|page=338|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P7vyBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA338}}</ref><ref name="Gylys">{{Cite book| vauthors = Gylys BA, Wedding ME |quote=Generic term for an agent (usually a hormone, such as testosterone or androsterone) that stimulates development of male characteristics.|title=Medical Terminology Systems: A Body Systems Approach|date=2017|publisher=F.A. Davis|isbn=978-0-80-365868-4|page=82|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wMttDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA82}}</ref> This includes the embryological development of the primary [[male sex organs]], and the development of male [[secondary sex characteristic]]s at [[puberty]]. Androgens are synthesized in the [[testes]], the [[ovaries]], and the [[adrenal glands]].

Androgens increase in both males and females during puberty.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fasthealthfitness.com/get-rid-of-pimples/ | title = 15 Ways To Get Rid of Pimples Overnight Natural | publisher=Fast Health Fitness | date = 2016-05-17 }}</ref> The major androgen in males is [[testosterone]].<ref name="Carlson 326">{{cite book | vauthors = Carlson N | title = Physiology of Behavior | publisher = Pearson | series = Reproductive Behavior | volume = 11th edition | date = 22 January 2012 | pages = 326 | isbn = 978-0205239399}}</ref> [[Dihydrotestosterone]] (DHT) and [[androstenedione]] are of equal importance in male development.<ref name="Carlson 326"/> DHT ''in utero'' causes differentiation of the penis, scrotum and prostate. In adulthood, DHT contributes to balding, prostate growth, and [[sebaceous gland]] activity.

Although androgens are commonly thought of only as male [[Sex steroids|sex hormones]], females also have them, but at lower levels: they function in [[libido]] and [[sexual arousal]]. Androgens are the precursors to [[estrogen]]s in both men and women.

In addition to their role as natural hormones, androgens are used as [[medication]]s; for information on androgens as medications, see the [[androgen replacement therapy]] and [[anabolic steroid]] articles.

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