Testosterone is one of the most essential hormones in the body. It serves critical functions in both the male and female body, although it is found in higher concentrations in the male body. In fact, men have up to twenty times more testosterone than women.
This hormone is responsible for sex drive in men. It also increases strength and endurance during exercise, thus increasing muscle mass and enhancing athletic performance.
Even more important is the fact that the hormone influences the psychological well-being of men. High levels of testosterone are associated with optimism and a positive outlook towards life.
Unfortunately, however, the body does not always have high levels of testosterone. Depending on the cause of the low testosterone levels, the testosterone levels sometimes plummet drastically while at other times they may decline gradually.
Regardless of how fast or slow testosterone levels decline, one thing is certain…the repercussions are undesirable. To illustrate this point, all one needs to do is consider the critical functions that this hormone plays in the body.
For instance, low testosterone levels translate to a low sex drive, little endurance during exercise, and a decline in the body’s energy levels.
Additionally, those who suffer from low testosterone levels also exhibit symptoms such as depression, sour moods, and lack of self-drive.
What Causes Low Testosterone In Men?
The billion dollar question remains: what is the exact cause of low testosterone levels in men?
Although giving an exact answer to the question may be a somewhat cumbersome task, there are various factors that have been proven to contribute to a steady and sometimes abrupt decline in the levels of testosterone.
These factors include the following:
1. Age
One of the most common causes of low testosterone levels in men is age. Testosterone levels peak during puberty and in a man’s youth. The hormone is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics which are characteristic of puberty.
After that, the levels of this hormone begin to drop gradually, year after year. By the time a man is in his fifties or sixties, the levels of testosterone in his body are generally very low.
This is casually referred to as Andropause, and it is humorously regarded as the male version of menopause.
The decline in testosterone levels in men as they age can take a toll on them. For one thing, the low levels of the hormone affect their desire to have sexual intercourse, which is often embarrassing to many men.
Secondly, the drop in testosterone levels affects their approach towards life, and many of them may end up being depressed. As such, men who begin experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone levels are encouraged to visit their health care provider.
The condition can be treated using hormone replacement therapy, which can work wonders for their testosterone levels.
2. Injury To The Testicles
Another cause of declining testosterone levels is injury to the testicles. Testicles are vital in the production of this hormone. If they are injured, it will negatively impact on the amounts of testosterone produced in the body.
Sadly, the testicles are very vulnerable to injury. They can be injured during any number of activities. This is especially true for those who engage in sports, and more so those energy draining and somewhat risky sports.
One cannot even begin to explain the intense physical pain that accompanies an injury to the testicles. Even worse is the fact that this injury also affects hormonal balance and especially the production of testosterone.
It is for these reasons that one needs to visit their doctor after suffering an injury to the testicles.
And even when the physical pain abates, be sure to seek medical guidance to counter the possible harm that might be done to the testicles in relation to hormone production.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, always wear athletic supporters every time you are out on the field playing a sport that could cause possible testicle injury.
You certainly don’t want to find out just how costly and painful an injury to the testicles can be.
3. Infection And Inflammation
While still on injuries, it is important to know that infections and inflammations around your sexual organs can adversely affect your testosterone levels. As such, be sure to consult your healthcare provider the instant you notice an infection around your genitals.
The earlier it is dealt with, the less harm it will do you.
4. Obesity
You will be shocked to learn that putting on too much weight can actually affect your testosterone levels. How, you ask? Well, it all goes back to how active a lifestyle you have.
It is an undeniable fact that as you put on weight, you generally tend to be more inactive. Becoming obese is triggered by a number of intense physiological activities, all of which adversely affect your body’s ability to produce testosterone.
Thus, the more weight you add, the more your testosterone levels are likely to decline.
5. Questionable Performance Enhancement Drugs
Another common cause of dropping testosterone levels is the use of performance enhancement drugs. Everywhere in the world, men are obsessed with attaining a certain body shape. They want to have pronounced muscles and perfectly shaped abdominal muscles.
You will be surprised to learn the lengths to which some are willing to go in order to attain that particular body shape. Previously, all it took for men to achieve the standard looks of the time was rigorous exercise.
Today, men have to put in long hours at the gym and also use performance enhancement drugs.
While there are generally no serious side effects that are associated with using performance enhancement drugs, one has to be careful with the brands of such drugs that they use. It is imperative that you use only quality, trustworthy, tried and tested drugs.
Drugs of questionable quality will often enhance the levels of one hormone at the expense of all others, thus wreaking havoc in your body. Hormonal imbalance seems like too heavy a price to pay in order to attain a given body shape, doesn’t it?
Low Testosterone in Men Conclusion
If you have been experiencing the signs and symptoms that accompany low testosterone levels, do not hesitate to seek treatment. Many men are afraid that they will be shunned and stigmatized if they are open about their condition.
Nothing could be further from the truth. So long as you have a strong support system, there is nothing to worry about.
You will simply undergo treatment to regain hormonal balance and the discomfort that accompanies low testosterone levels will be a thing of the distant past. In any case, ignoring the problem will not do you any good. In fact, it will only make things worse and harder to treat.
