Word parts
What it means
Androgens cause male traits: a deeper voice, facial and body hair, and larger muscles. The testes make most of them; the adrenal glands and ovaries make smaller amounts. As drugs, testosterone and related androgens are used for low testosterone and delayed puberty. Side effects include acne, fluid retention, a high red cell count and liver problems, and they are sometimes misused to build muscle.
For the nurse
Teach clients using testosterone gel to wash their hands after applying it and cover the skin, because touching the area can pass the hormone to children and to people who are or could become pregnant.
At a glance
| Drug class | androgen (male sex hormone) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | andrógeno |
| Also written | androgens |
Related terms
testosterone
The main male sex hormone, made mostly in the testes and in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands.
andr/o
A word root that means male or man.
adrenal cortex
The outer layer of each adrenal gland, which makes the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
teratogen
Anything a pregnant person is exposed to that can cause birth defects in the developing baby.