LOW TESTOSTERONE IN MEN
Testosterone: The building block of manhood
Testosterone, popularly known as the “male hormone” is at the core of male sexuality. Sexual health, Libido and reproductive functionalities are all dependent in some form upon testosterone.
From the onset of puberty, a healthy presence of testosterone facilitates proper development of male reproductive tissues and primary and secondary sexual characteristics (growth of facial hair, increased height and muscle mass, enlargement of penis etc). Testosterone controls the psychological aspects of a man as well, making a man confident, competitive open to new challenges. Thus testosterone truly is the driving force behind the psycho-sexual factors that make up the perfect man.
Low Testosterone in Men: A Rising problem
Over the last few decades, low testosterone in men has been a prevalent problem. Rightly attributed to factors like sedentary lifestyle, involuntary intake of xenoestrogen (fake estrogen!) and a junk food laced eating habit, the decline in the level of testosterone in significant and scary. Studies have shown that for a certain age group, the average testosterone level was 423 ng/dL at 2003, whereas it was 503 ng/dL at 1988, only 15 years prior. This steady and continuous decrease of testosterone has been proven to be a cause behind complex ailments that can altogether ruin a virile man’s sex life at its prime and alter his psychological balance, often causing depression and trauma. Low testosterone in men thus ceases to be only a physical problem, but also becomes an emotional issue that ca mark one’s personal life, relationship and emotional stability.
Low Testosterone in Men: A countdown of 10 Deadly Symptoms
Low Testosterone in Men can cause the following difficulties:
10. Hair Loss
Low testosterone in men not only affects the primary sexual functions but it can also hinder secondary functions as well. A dip in testosterone levels may lead to severe hair loss leading to balding. Low testosterone is also responsible for a decline in facial hair growth. If you want to grow a manly beard, make sure your T levels are up to the mark.
9. Skewed ratio of Good/Bad Cholesterol
Low testosterone in men is almost always accompanied with an increase in the amount of bad cholesterol LDL, in the male body. Cholesterol and testosterone are intrinsically linked together. Advent of LDL in the body ends up clogging the arteries by accelerating fatty deposits in the blood stream.
8. Loss of Muscle Mass
Testosterone helps to develop and maintain a healthy male physique with well developed muscular structure. Testosterone also helps in generating connective tissue and builds and strengthens muscle mass in men. Thus low testosterone in men effectively result in a continuous decline in muscle mass & it also creates chemical and physical disadvantages when you try to work out and gain the lost muscles.
7. Increase in Body Fat
Aromatose reactions can turn your testosterone into the female sex hormone estrogen as you age. This leads to a sudden acceleration in weight gain and fat starts to deposit around the chest and waist region. Gynaecomastia or the symptom of males developing fatty breasts is also due to this condition of dwindling testosterone and abundance of estrogen. Sudden weight gain and having “man boobs” can severely alter a man’s social life and emotional stability.
6. Lethargy and tiredness
If you are one of those males who takes daily vitamin supplements, maintains a healthy diet, leads an active lifestyle and still complain of all day long tiredness and drowsiness then it might be your T levels to blame. Testosterone makes a man more agile, active and a go getter. Low testosterone in men however gives rise to a sluggish and weary persona that is opposite of a virile and strong man. Low testosterone alters the psychosomatic functioning of the human body and any imbalance manifests as disorders of physical and emotional energies, leading to a diagnosis of severe irritability, depression and mood swings.
5. Osteoporosis & Bone Structure Integrity Loss
Bone density and strength is also a factor to which testosterone density contributes to. One of the secondary sexual characteristic, bone-mass is a crucial factor. Often in men over 30 years of age suffer from untimely and uncharacteristic Osteoporosis, which has now been linked with low testosterone in men by researchers. Out of the 2 million American men, who suffer from brittle and porous bone structure, majority reports to also having a low testosterone count?
4. Limp Libido
Testosterone is directly linked to urge to have sex in males. A deficiency in this hormone doesn’t only decreases the desire to engage in sexual activities, it also desensitizes the brain from being able to gain pleasure from such sexual activities. This limp libido can you make you unwilling to have sex & create great issues in a wholesome loving relationship.
3. Unsatisfactory Erections
Testosterone is known as the sex hormone as it not only brings about sexual urges but also helps in maintaining solid hard long lasting erection. Testosterone activates donor and receptor cells which ultimately lead to blood rushing in to the penis, causing an erection. Lack of testosterone deters the sexual stimulants and proper erections are thus not realized. The penis often stays flaccid or faces issues like low sensitivity and declining sensory touch.
2. Shrinking Genitals
Low testosterone in men often leads to penile shrinkage and a feeling of numbness in the gonad regions. Low testosterone results in lower stimulation in the testes. Due to the cumulative effect of low testosterone production and declined stimulation, the testicles shrink than their usual capacity. This in turn is believed to cause a lack of sensation in the penile tissues. Any physical touch fails to illicit satisfactory arousal.
1. Decreasing Semen Volume
Testosterone, along with FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) & LH (Luteinizing Hormone), facilitates the production of sperm cells. Testosterone sports almost a linear relationship with the amount of semen content produced. Less testosterone directly results to low semen content. While normal ejaculatory volume varies from 1.5 to 5 cc for a healthy adult male, a noticeable decrease in this volume is caused by low testosterone in men.
Conclusion
The building block of manhood, Testosterone is a crucial element for a man’s youth and sexual prowess. Any kind of a detrimental effect to T levels can also have serious implications to a man’s physical and emotional health. Keeping in mind that our modern lifestyle is detrimental to testosterone production, here are a few simple tips to boost the T levels in your body
- Cut down on xenoestrogen consumption. This fake estrogen like substance limits the effect of testosterone.
- Opt for juicing of natural fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, folic acid, nitric acid and active compounds. Pomegranates, Watermelons, Leafy vegetables all help counter low testosterone in men.
- Limit alcohol drinking and smoking to boost the testosterone production.