Where is estrogen secreted in males?
Disease description:
I hope I can look more masculine. I’ve heard that men also secrete estrogen—could this affect my appearance? Where is estrogen produced in males?
In males, estrogen secretion primarily originates from the following two sources:
**Testes:** A small amount of estrogen is produced within the testes. Specifically, estradiol synthesis in the testes relies on testosterone (a male androgen) as a precursor, which is converted into estradiol by an enzyme called aromatase. Adult men produce approximately 30–40 micrograms of estradiol per day.
**Adrenal glands:** The adrenal glands in males can also secrete small amounts of estrogen. The adrenal cortex—organized into several concentric zones from inner to outer—includes the reticularis zone, which predominantly secretes sex hormones, including small quantities of both androgens and estrogens.
Although males do possess estrogen, their circulating levels are significantly lower than those in females. Excess estrogen in males may lead to various clinical manifestations, such as gynecomastia, voice softening, and testicular atrophy.