It is only natural that as you age, your testosterone levels drop. However, in some cases, men can suffer from extremely low testosterone levels. Not only that, but this can happen relatively earlier than anticipated. If you think that you may have this problem, you should know that it’s more common than you may think it is. 25% of men who are aged above 30, and about 40% of men who are aged above 45, have what is known as testosterone deficiency. When looking at those who are above 65 years old, you will find that the number of men who have testosterone deficiency increases drastically. Unfortunately, low testosterone levels can negatively impact your overall quality of life; testosterone deficiency can also greatly impact your mental and physical health. Thankfully, getting testosterone replacement therapy can help you normalize your testosterone levels. Read through our article to find out 6 telling signs that you need a testosterone replacement treatment.
As everyone knows, testosterone plays a fundamental role when it comes to sex drive or libido. As men age, their sex drive naturally declines. Determining whether your decreasing libido is a result of aging or something different can be tricky. Though, if you believe that your libido has diminished abnormally, and think that it might be too early for you to experience these kinds of changes, then your testosterone levels may be low.
Testosterone levels do not only control one’s libido but also play a huge role in a man’s ability to develop and maintain erections. While testosterone doesn’t directly cause erections to happen, it incites brain receptors to generate nitric acid. Nitric acid is the acid responsible for stimulating the chain of chemical reactions needed to cause an erection. Men may struggle to get an erection before sex or during any other instances if their testosterone levels are low. Though, keep in mind that high blood pressure, stress, thyroid issues, smoking, alcohol, stress, depression, and anxiety may all lead to struggles with achieving erections.
Testosterone also makes up a great factor in semen formation. Semen is a milky, organic fluid that helps with sperm motility. You can visit a testosterone replacement therapy clinic if you experience changes in semen. Men with low testosterone levels may notice that their semen levels have significantly decreased during ejaculation.
Apart from all the sexual elements that testosterone regulates, testosterone greatly contributes to a variety of other body functions. The majority of men go bald or start to notice their hair getting noticeable thinner as they age. While genetics and hereditary patterns are mostly responsible for balding, men with low testosterone levels may experience facial and body hair loss as well.
Men who have testosterone deficiency may experience changes in their energy levels and feel fatigued. If you find it hard to get motivated to exercise and feel tired frequently regardless of how much you sleep, you may need to check your testosterone levels. Those who suffer from low testosterone levels may also notice frequent mood changes. Your mental capacity and mood are highly affected by testosterone as it influences several physical bodily processes. Decreased focus, irritability, and depression are popular symptoms among men with low testosterone levels.
Testosterone is one of the greatest factors affecting muscle mass and building. In fact, many people take testosterone injections to aid in the regulation of fat distribution and work bodybuilding. Men with low testosterone levels may experience a reduced muscle mass. Studies show that although muscle mass is affected by testosterone, muscle strength and function remain unaffected. Testosterone deficiency may also lead to increased body fat. Particularly, men with low testosterone levels may develop enlarged breast tissues or gynecomastia. This may be because of the imbalance that occurs between estrogen and testosterone levels in men. Granted that decreased bone mass, or osteoporosis, is highly associated with and is eminent among women, men with testosterone deficiency may also experience a loss in bone mass. This is because testosterone aids in the production and strengthening of bones. Since older men have lower testosterone levels, they are highly susceptible to bone fractures and injuries due to the decreased bone volume.
Having low testosterone levels can be harmful in several ways. You may start to notice that several aspects of your life are changing as a result of diminished testosterone. Fortunately, testosterone replacement therapy is a great treatment option if you are struggling with testosterone deficiency.