androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən 

: a male sex hormone (such as testosterone)

androgenic

ˌan-drə-ˈje-nik 

adjective

Examples of androgen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unbalanced hormones and overproduction of androgens like testosterone can contribute to acne. —Mary Choy, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2025

For example, some researchers theorize that a poor diet may cause bacteria to leak out of your gut, circulate throughout your body, and activate your immune system, thereby causing a spike in insulin, which could cause the ovaries to release androgens. —Julia Ries, Outside Online, 27 Feb. 2025

Spironolactone works by blocking aldosterone and decreasing androgen hormone production (testosterone) in the skin.9 There are two forms of spironolactone used for acne: oral (taken by mouth) and topical (applied to the skin). —Mary Choy, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2025

Stress produces more androgens, which are linked with the production of more sebum. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

andro- + -gen, after estrogen

Note: The term was apparently introduced in a short article "The Nomenclature of 'Male Hormones'" by the American Medical Society's Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, published in the Journal of the American Medical Society, vol. 107, no. 3 (July 18, 1936), p. 212.

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing androgen

• androgen deprivation therapy
• androgen insensitivity syndrome
• anti-androgen

Kids Definition

androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən 

: a male sex hormone (as testosterone)

Medical Definition

androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən 

: a male sex hormone (as testosterone)

androgenic

ˌan-drə-ˈjen-ik 

adjective