What is the most important male sex hormone?

Testosterone is recognized as the most important male sex hormone due to its critical role in the development and maintenance of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics. This hormone is primarily produced in the testes and is essential for processes such as sperm production, the growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice during puberty, and increased muscle and bone mass.

Testosterone also influences libido, mood, and energy levels in males. Its effects are systemic and impact not just reproductive health but overall physical health as well.

In contrast, estrogen and progesterone, while crucial for female reproductive health, do not play the same pivotal roles in male physiology. FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, is important for regulating sperm production but functions under the influence of testosterone and does not independently define male sexual characteristics. Therefore, testosterone is the hormone that is central to male sexual function and masculinity.