What are the signs of high testosterone in men? Do they act or look differently from the average Joe? Read on to see what these signs mean for a guy.
Aside from a Y-chromosome and the thing between his legs, an abundant supply of testosterone is that one other blueprint feature that makes a man, well… a man. After all, it is named after another one of his defining anatomical features which is the testes. These 14 signs of high testosterone in men tell you what it means exactly.
While testosterone is a hormone that both sexes produce, men get a higher dose of the stuff than women. It highlights his various masculine features that we’re all familiar with: higher muscle mass, larger bone structure, copious amounts of hair, etc.
What does extra testosterone do?
And like all the other chemicals produced by the human body, having a little too much of the normal amount produces noticeable physiological effects. With the average male testosterone level at 35 nanomoles per liter, what usually happens if you get an extra drop?
Physical effects – Ever wonder why bodybuilders dope themselves with the stuff to achieve that Herculean body figure? Testosterone determines how physically masculine you look. This means that the more testosterone you have, the manlier you look.
#1 Stronger and more pronounced jawline. There is evidence that abundant testosterone levels shape your body like a Picasso painting: sharp and edgy. Men with above average testosterone levels have a squared and more pronounced jawline. [Read: What do you look for in a guy?]
#2 Wider facial area. Aside from the jaw line, extra testosterone also results in a wider and bonier facial area. So guys with an extra dose results in them having a wider face, sharp cheekbones, and a stronger chin.
#3 Larger Adam’s apple and a deeper voice. We all know that boys experience testosterone surges during puberty which brings about the changes in his body. One of these changes is the deepening of the voice caused by developing muscle and cartilage of the laryngeal area.
Therefore, a guy with extra testosterone has well-developed vocal cord muscles as shown by a big Adam’s apple and a deep, baritone voice.
#4 Higher bone density. Men with extra testosterone develop higher bone density, making their frame larger than other men. This can be noticed by measuring the back area. Men with normal testosterone can grow tall while maintaining an average frame but guys with higher bone density would have a “wider” frame than the rest. [Read: The 12 rules of attraction as explained by science]
#5 Wider shoulders. If you notice a guy who has never stepped inside a gym but still has that “inverted triangle” upper body shape due to broad shoulders, his body produces higher amounts of testosterone than normal.
#6 Lots of facial and body hair. The ability to grow a full beard alone is a sign of high testosterone levels. Testosterone and its derivatives are the ones responsible for accelerating facial hair growth so a little over the normal amount causes that annoying condition that requires a shave every day.
Guys with above average testosterone also are capable of growing their beards to lengths unlike their other brethren who must settle with a dainty mustache. [Read: Guys with beards: 12 reasons why they make the best boyfriends]
#7 Longer ring finger. A study found out that if a guy received a higher dose of testosterone while in the womb, his ring finger would be longer than the average guy. The ring finger of an average guy is usually shorter than the index finger so if the ring finger is noticeably longer than the index finger, that guy is gifted with high testosterone levels even before he was born.
#8 Increased strength. High testosterone means more muscle mass and more muscle mass means more strength. That’s why guys with higher testosterone have no trouble developing their muscles even with minimal workouts.
#9 Higher metabolic rate. Testosterone plays a large part in how your body uses and stocks energy. And since higher testosterone means that your metabolism is on overdrive, your body carries less fat and more muscle.
#10 Increased libido or sex drive. Testosterone is a sex hormone. And the more of this a guy has, the more susceptible he is to his urges. Males with above average testosterone have increased libidos, making them desire more sexual activity than the average guy.
In addition to this they also get frequent, harder, and longer erections. [Read: High sex drive: 15 scientific reasons why you have it and what to do]
The downside – while there are benefits from having too much testosterone, it also has inconvenient side effects.
#11 Male pattern baldness. Guys with higher testosterone levels develop male pattern baldness at an earlier age than their normal peers which is quite ironic as the same chemical responsible for hair growth is also causing hair loss. Take actor Jason Statham for example: large frame, edgy face, square jaws, muscles, and male pattern baldness as a cherry on top.
#12 Aggressive behavior. In general, men are more physically aggressive than women. Their physique is also built for it; a larger, more powerful body built for survival and competition. Testosterone plays a major part for this male trait and having too much testosterone makes a man more aggressive than the average guy.
For example, when a person gets angry, their body produces extra testosterone to prepare it for a fight or flight situation. So having a little extra testosterone makes a man more susceptible to fits of rages, picking fights, and physical violence. [Read: 30 alpha male characteristics that make you a real alpha]
#13 Confidence to the point of arrogance. Testosterone is also associated with causing feelings of confidence and well-being. This is quite understandable as original roles of our pre-historic male ancestors involve leading the tribe and making decisions, they need that confidence to do their job.
So if a guy has above average testosterone levels, he may have a tendency to become overconfident and arrogant. [Read: 9 subtle differences between a confident & arrogant man]
#14 Risk-taking behavior and impulsiveness. A side effect of being extra aggressive and overconfident, guys with lots of testosterone in their body take more risks and become more impulsive than their average counterparts.
If they think they’re the strongest of them all and fight or bully their way into anything, they make pretty bad decisions without thinking of the consequences.
[Read: The awesome omega male: What makes him better than the alpha]
What makes a man a man is testosterone. It is the male body’s messenger that tells all other body parts to develop in ways that will make one more masculine. And just like any other chemical in the body, a little dose of testosterone over the normal only emphasizes the already manly features with a few inconvenient side effects.
