Testosterone is a hormone produced largely by men. The primary organ responsible for the production of the hormone is the testicles. The main role of the hormone is to determine the man’s sexual development, as well as, appearance. Additionally, testosterone stimulates the production of sperm and sexual drive.
One of the factors that cause a decrease in the production of testosterone is age. Research shows that about 2 in 10 men over the age of 60 experience low levels of testosterone. The surefire way to diagnose low testosterone levels is through a blood test.
However, there are other warning signs that a man’s testosterone levels are low or he’s suffering from hypogonadism.
1. Low Sex Drive
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Testosterone is a major contributor to libido in men. Even though a decline in sex drive is evident in some men as they age, the decline in the desire to have sex for men with low testosterone is distinctly drastic. Low testosterone causes a sharp decline in libido even in situations where a man would be highly interested. Various regions of the brain that affect sexual desire such as the amygdala have numerous testosterone receptors. Therefore, a drop in the hormone’s levels affects the process of attaining sexual desire.
2. Change in Memory and Cognitive Ability
Studies demonstrate that as testosterone levels diminish, so does the memory and cognitive ability of a man. There is also a limited degree of deterioration of visual motor skills in men with low levels of the hormone. More about Brain Supplements…
3. Difficulties with Erections
In addition to stimulating libido, testosterone also plays a vital role in attaining and sustaining an erection. The mechanism of action of the hormone is that it stimulates various receptors located in the brain to produce nitric oxide. The nitric oxide works by triggering subsequent chemical reactions that lead to an erection. More about NO2 Max…
In cases where the testosterone levels are low, the man experiences difficulties achieving erections before intercourse. Also, a man with low levels of the hormone rarely gets spontaneous erections such as those that occur during sleep.
4. Pain in the Nerves and Numbness
Modern research shows that testosterone and the various derivatives of the hormone, usually work to repair damage to nerves located in the peripheral nervous system. The studies show that testosterone is beneficial in treating neuropathy that is associated with pain and numbness. Therefore, a decrease in hormone levels leads to numbness and also a pain in the nerves. More about Decaduro…
5. Decreased Volume of Semen
Testosterone is an important component required for semen production. Men who have low levels of the hormone tend to have a suppressed volume of semen during ejaculation.
6. Decreased Penis Size
Due to an interruption in the steady levels of the hormone, tissues in the penis and testicles begin to shrink. Consequently, the penis may lose girth and length. However, the symptom is reversible through hormone replacement therapy.
7. Loss of Hair
Hair formation partly relies on the production of testosterone. Balding occurs naturally as men age. However, low levels of testosterone can cause additional and drastic loss of facial as well as body hair.
8. Lethargy
Scientific research shows that men who have low levels of testosterone tend to experience excess fatigue and suppressed energy levels. If a man feels tired all the time even after getting adequate sleep, then it is likely that the man has low levels of the hormone. Furthermore, testosterone helps a man stay motivated and alert. If the levels of the hormone decrease, then men tend to experience chronic fatigue and lethargy despite consuming foods rich in energy.
9. Decreased Muscle Mass
Testosterone is an important component in building muscle because it ensures the body maintains an anabolic state that helps the body continuously produce and assemble proteins responsible for building lean mass. Therefore, men with low levels of testosterone tend to experience significant challenges with maintaining muscle mass. In this case, low levels of the hormone cause the body to go into a catabolic state where muscle tissue is depleted. However, in such cases, the strength and function of the muscles are not adversely affected. More about Bulking Stack…
10. Increased Weight Gain
It is also common for men with low testosterone levels to experience an increase in body fat; especially around the waist. Essentially, men with low testosterone tend to develop enlarged breast tissue, an occurrence exacerbated by an imbalance between the estrogen and testosterone hormones. Also, endocrinologists posit that low testosterone makes it more difficult for men to lose weight. Therefore, such men not only experience significant weight gain but also encounter challenges losing it.
11. The loss in Bone Mass
Osteoporosis, a condition common in women, also affects men with low levels of testosterone. One of the functions of testosterone is to aid in the formation and strengthening of the bone. Therefore, men with low testosterone experience a reduction in bone mass and are prone to fractures. The reduced bone mineral density is caused by the interplay between estrogen, the health of the bone, and testosterone.
12. Sleep Problems
Men who have low levels of testosterone often experience sleep complications such as insomnia. The decrease in the hormone levels also interacts with other causative factors such as being overweight leading to further complications.
13. Emotional Changes
Men with decreased levels of testosterone frequently experience a change in mood. Since the hormone plays a significant role in various body processes, it has a negative effect on the mental capacity and mood of the man. Therefore, men with low levels of the hormone are susceptible to depression and irritability. Also, the productivity of such men is impeded by a lack of focus. Such emotional changes can affect a man’s stability and performance at the work and home setting.
In conclusion, it is evident that determining if a man has low levels of testosterone is a multifaceted process. The most reliable way to determine if a man has low levels of the hormone is through a blood test. Fortunately, there are different strategies applied to treat the condition with the most prominent method being hormone replacement therapy. Additionally, maintaining an active lifestyle can alleviate the severity of some of the symptoms. All in all, in some cases, the condition can be reversed.
