While testosterone is not unique to men, (women have testosterone too!), the rise in testosterone associated with puberty is what in fact causes the vast majority of the changes we associate with puberty. When testosterone, and particularly bioavailable testosterone levels begin to decline, we start to see changes in some of the things you would expect, but others you wouldn't.

Learn about the Bio-T Test: the most effective test to determine low testosterone levels.

If we think about the changes that turn boys into men, it's not surprising that a partial reversal of the process (i.e. decreasing testosterone levels) would cause decreases in strength, muscle mass and sexual function. Less obvious would be the changes seen in red blood cell quantity and bone density. Similarly, some of the non-physical changes, such as irritability, lowered concentration and memory, also wouldn't immediately be associated with testosterone levels, but they are definitely part of the syndrome known as andropause.

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