Testosterone has, for long, been coined as the “male hormone.” Although both men and women have certain levels of testosterone, in males, it is more predominant. The male hormone is vital for overall male well-being and sexual health. It’s the hormone that plays a major role in turning boys into men, bringing about changes such as muscles, facial hair, and deeper voices. In already matured men, it aids in controlling sperm production and sex drive.
Unfortunately, as men age, testosterone levels might begin to dip and deter with normal sex drive and sperm count. Low hormonal levels in males trigger a few symptoms that lower your quality of life in various ways. You might want to pay attention to these signs that should tell you it’s time to see a doctor. The good news is that low hormonal levels are treatable.
Decreased libido
You may know libido as the sex drive that is responsible for the desire to satisfy sexual tension. It’s normal for a man’s libido to reduce as you age. However, low testosterone levels have a much huger impact on sex drive compared to aging effects. Reduced libido triggered by low libido can occur at any age, which makes the effect more apparent. If you feel you have an unusual reduced sex drive, consider seeking professional help from a doctor to test the possibility of hormonal imbalances.
Issues with erections
Low hormone levels in males can make it hard to maintain or even get erections. The hormone testosterone is responsible for stimulating the penile tissues that produce nitric oxide, critical for building up an erection. With incredibly low testosterone levels, you may not get an erection, also known as erectile dysfunction. Apart from low hormone levels, other factors that may trigger erectile dysfunction include smoking, diabetes, stress, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Whatever the reasons for finding it hard to get and maintain erections, you should see a doctor immediately.
Hair loss
Hair loss at some point in life is a prevalent problem in both men and women. In men, it’s one of the most apparent signs of low testosterone levels. The hormone is vital for maintaining your body and facial hair. If you notice your hair thinning or disappearing for some unknown reason, it could be your body communicating that your testosterone levels are dipping.
Low semen count
As earlier stated, testosterone is primarily tasked with sperm production. With low hormone levels come low sperm levels. Some individuals go as far as being threatened with no sperm count at all. Most victims rarely have an idea until it’s time to have a baby. If you and your partner are having trouble trying to conceive, you might want to head into the doctor’s office to have your testosterone levels checked.
Unexplained fatigue and trouble concentrating
With the long hours you put to work, raising your family, and working overtime, everyone seems exhausted. Nonetheless, low hormone levels could be the main culprit for the recent unusual sense of fatigue. You may also notice that you have a hard time concentrating for a long time despite taking 7-8 hours of sleep. Perhaps you need to see a doctor if you’ve been fatigued for weeks without showing signs of depression, stress, or extreme physical activity.
Reduced muscle mass
We understand that other reasons trigger reduced muscle mass, such as medical conditions, lack of exercise, or a bad diet. Low hormone levels are also to blame for decreased muscle mass. You may notice that even despite your efforts to visit the gym daily, low testosterone levels will provide counterintuitive results.
Increased body fat
Men’s food intake goes into building muscles, thanks to adequate levels of testosterone in the body. When you register low hormone production levels, your food intake gets redirected to being stored as fat rather than muscle mass. In some individuals, chances of developing gynecomastia become common. You may notice your breast tissues increasing to unusual sizes as the testosterone and estrogen levels fall out of balance.
Other signs include loss of bone mass, leading to osteoporosis, reduced testicular sizes, mood swings, and loss of memory. You know what they say, “You know your body best.” If you begin to notice any of these signs of reduced testosterone levels, don’t struggle alone. Call us today at (205) 352-9141 to make an appointment with our top specialists and let us reverse these effects. We are here for you.