When you hear the word ‘testosterone’, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it men building muscles or athletes racing across the finish line? In reality, it is believed that testosterone plays various roles other than just developing muscles. Though it does contribute to aggressive behaviour and raging hormones, balanced testosterone can play a significant role in promoting one’s health.
People often talk about its association with male genetics, but the truth reveals that a woman, too, can produce 300 micrograms of testosterone per day. As per the American Diabetes Association, more than 13 million men residing in the U.S have been detected with low testosterone levels. Read further to get a comprehensive understanding of the causes and symptoms of low testosterone. Also, please find out the medical conditions associated with it.
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The importance of testosterone:
Testosterone is a type of hormone produced in the body. In men, it is formed in the testicles and is responsible for stimulating sperm production and sexual drive. It deepens a man’s voice and plays a meaningful role in boys’ evolution into men. Apart from that, it builds muscle, increases red blood cell levels, and promotes bone mass development. It drives physical processes and boosts mental capacity.
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The causes of low testosterone:
The production of this hormone decreases over time. This low testosterone could lead to a range of symptoms and complications. The decline begins at the age of 30. In medical terms, it is called hypogonadism. When a man’s testosterone drops below a level of 300 ng/dL, it’s considered to be low. When there is a signalling dilemma between the brain and a man’s testes, it reduces the level of testosterone that is being produced. This medical condition can occur for various reasons. Some causes include injury, infection, or loss of testicles. It also occurs as a result of pituitary gland dysfunction, inflammatory diseases, hemochromatosis (too much iron), chronic kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, and obesity. A few more causes include radiation or chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer in the genital area.
While women undergo a drastic drop in estrogen at a certain age, testosterone production in the male counterpart decreases gradually. Men can experience a broad range of symptoms of low testosterone if their testosterone levels fall below the normal level.
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The symptoms of low testosterone:
Some of the common traits faced by both men and women are depression and a decreased sense of well-being. It also causes lack of concentration, insomnia, reduced strength and endurance level, decreased sex drive, and loss of muscle mass. Though women experience weakening of bones called osteoporosis, low testosterone leads to reduced bone strength and bone loss. Older men with lower levels of this hormone are more susceptible to fractures in the feet, hips, ribs, and wrists. Both genders witness mood changes. Women go through it especially during their menopause and experience similar symptoms.
Men face certain symptoms such as decreased penis size, erectile dysfunction, reduced height, moderate stubble development, and a reduction in the quantity of body hair. Testosterone plays an indispensable role in a man’s libido. Low levels of this testosterone cause less desire to live a sexually active life. It doesn’t just help in erections, but also stimulates receptors and sends signals to the brain. This is to produce nitric oxide—a molecule that triggers an erection. Men with low testosterone will discern a reduction in the level of sperm during ejaculation. It also helps with sperm motility. The risk of becoming impotent is very high if not treated early.
Sometimes, though a man sleeps for plenty of hours, he may find it difficult to hit the gym. This is because of low energy levels and fatigue, which makes a person feel stressed and lethargic. Men with symptoms of low testosterone will notice a drastic decline in their muscle mass. This is especially in the arms, legs, and chest. To get rid of this, they start weight training at the gym, but the hormones make it difficult to regain the lost muscle mass. According to research, the genes that control body fat percentage also influence a man’s testosterone levels. Low testosterone level of a person causes a tremendous increase in body fat, which leads to an unhealthy physique.
Women who suffer from hypogonadism will see specific symptoms of low testosterone, such as an increase in breast size, imbalanced menstrual cycles, and lowered libido. In fact, an acute case of low testosterone called as central hypogonadism involves impaired vision, headaches, milky discharge from the breasts, and other problems caused by hormones. Sometimes in youngsters, it even results in delayed puberty.
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Available treatment for low testosterone:
If you are battling these symptoms, then you must see a doctor. Blood tests help determine a low level of testosterone, and there is treatment for it according to its severity. It can be diagnosed by measuring blood levels. As it keeps fluctuating throughout the day, several measurements have to be taken accurately. Usually, doctors recommend doing the test in the morning as it is the time of day when testosterone levels are at their highest. Most doctors prescribe testosterone replacement therapy. The treatment for low testosterone may include discussing your medical history with the physician, as well as laboratory tests.
Gels, creams, and subcutaneous implants are among the remedies known to boost hormone levels. Another method suggested is injection into a muscle or wearing a patch that gradually releases the desired hormone. Each technique has benefits and drawbacks that need to be discussed with your doctor. Men with prostate cancer are asked to avoid taking such medication because it could enhance tumour growth. Initially, the symptoms of low testosterone may not be completely visible, and you may tend to ignore them. But it could hamper and destroy your hormonal cycle. At a later stage, men may even have to operate and take out their testicles to avoid the risk of cancer.
Make sure the causes of low testosterone are not due to the current medication you are taking. Visit your doctor for a medical check-up to assess hormone levels in your body. Besides medication, another healthy way to deal with this issue is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercising, gaining healthy weight; avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and steroids can help maintain your testosterone level on a daily basis.
Amelia Smith
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