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fully learns from a protecting father role model and an ever-reassuring mother. But also what makes the man is the almost magical power of certain testosterone and estrogen hormone levels starting when the male fetus is within the uterus and just the right balance of these hormones continuing all through that fetus-then-baby-then-boy-then-man's life.
It is almost poetic to learn from recent scientific studies that even male sexual drive comes not just from testosterone, but rather from the right blend of testosterone AND estrogen. Experts say the male body makes estrogen from testosterone. Who would have guessed that maleness is all about a balance of hormones including estrogen?
Recently we have discovered that some men for various reasons have low testosterone and thus low estrogen levels too, sometimes resulting in fatigue, weakness, depression, and sexual dysfunction. It is nice to learn that treatment with inexpensive testosterone shots, or more expensive creams, gels, or patches, return most men to normal, and again the body turns some of that testosterone to estrogen making the correct balance.
Alas, too many men are old world, and have a tendency to deny and cover up those symptoms. Come on! A real macho man would have the simple blood test to make the diagnosis and set the stage to fix the problem.

Dr. Rick Holm wrote this Prairie Doc Perspective for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public.  "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. Visit us at OnCallTelevision.com.