Introduction
Male late-onset hypogonadism, or low testosterone (Low T), is a condition in which the testes (also known as testicles) do not produce enough testosterone (a male sex hormone).
Perhaps more than any other hormone, testosterone is notorious. The hormone called testosterone is what gives men their masculinity. Male characteristics like a deep voice, a muscular build, and facial hair are caused by it.
Early adulthood marks the peak of testosterone levels, which decline with age (between 1% and 2% per year starting in the 40s). As men enter their fifties and beyond, Low T, or a lack of testosterone, can result in unwanted symptoms like impotence or altered sexual desire, anxiety or depression, loss of energy, weight gain, anemia, and hot flashes.
If you believe you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned below that are interfering with your daily activities, consider Low T clinical trials to better understand the condition and identify potential treatment options that may help you.
Male late-onset Hypogonadism (Low T) and Infertility
Low testosterone occurs when a man’s testosterone levels fall below normal. It can affect fertility directly by causing decreased sperm production and indirectly by reducing his sex drive and causing erectile dysfunction. Low testosterone has an indirect effect on fertility by reducing sex drive, which can lead to a lack of desire to even have sex. It can also cause erectile dysfunction by causing a man to have fewer or weaker erections than before. This can make reaching climax or having sex frequently enough for reproduction difficult.
Testosterone, Mood, and Thinking
Testosterone is thought to support the maintenance of psychological characteristics representing positive and negative effects in a balance, which is perceived as a “good mood” and an enjoyable quality of life. Similarly, a decline in general ‘good mood’ and factors involved in overall quality of life have been described as a complex of symptoms associated with male late-onset hypogonadism.
Low Testosterone Affects Bones
A significant decrease in bone mineral density is one of the most noticeable clinical symptoms of testosterone deficiency in men. Male late-onset hypogonadism is linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Low testosterone levels can result in more bone mass loss over time, resulting in weaker bones as you age.
While low bone density in men is frequently asymptomatic, low testosterone frequently causes symptoms. These symptoms can alert you that you are at a higher risk of developing weak bones. If you have low testosterone, it’s critical to talk about preventative measures to help reduce bone density loss over time.
Low Testosterone and the Body
Testosterone helps to achieve and maintain an erection. It instructs brain receptors to produce nitric oxide, a molecule that aids in the initiation of a series of chemical reactions required for an erection to occur. When testosterone levels are low, it may be difficult to achieve an erection prior to sex or to have spontaneous erections, such as while sleeping.
Drop in Energy
Fatigue is a common side effect of low testosterone levels. You might feel as if you don’t have as much energy as you used to. You could also be extremely tired. Getting enough sleep may help you feel more energetic. Sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours every night.
However, many other factors, such as normal aging and depression, can deplete your energy.
Fuzzy Thinking
Testosterone influences more than just physical attributes in men; it also influences a variety of brain functions, including memory.
Brain fog, or a general decline in memory and focus, is one of the most obvious signs of low testosterone in men. Men are more likely to experience negative effects on cognitive functions as testosterone levels decreases.
Low testosterone levels can contribute to difficulty staying focused on specific tasks in addition to affecting working memory. This isn’t to say that forgetfulness is always a sign of low testosterone. However, if you’ve noticed a decline in your memory or ability to concentrate, it could be a sign that your testosterone level has dropped.
Low Testosterone and Muscle Changes
Testosterone is a potent steroid, which means it has a significant impact on your ability to gain muscle mass and increase your strength. When testosterone levels are low, as is the case in male late-onset hypogonadism, it is common for muscles to shrink and strength to decline.
Here’s the sad part, lower-than-normal testosterone levels may make regaining lost strength and muscle size more difficult than usual. Simply put, the more testosterone you produce, the easier it is to gain muscle.
If you’ve noticed a decrease in your strength, the sleeves of your shirts fitting loosely, or your progress in the gym stalling, it could be due to low testosterone production.
Low Testosterone and Low Sex Drive
A lack of sex drive is another common symptom of low testosterone. When your testosterone levels are low, it’s easy to lose interest in sexual activity, even when you’d normally be very interested.
Low testosterone’s sex drive effects affect sexual intercourse and masturbation, which means you might not think about sex at all. As you might expect, this can have a significant impact on your relationships and personal life.
Fortunately, when your testosterone levels return to normal, this symptom usually resolves the quickest, so you should notice an improvement soon after beginning treatment.
What Causes Low Testosterone?
A decrease in testosterone production in men can be caused by a variety of factors, including your diet and lifestyle, as well as your age. The following are some of the most common causes and risk factors for low testosterone:
- Metabolic disorders. Low testosterone can be cause or contributed to by certain metabolic disorders, such as hemochromatosis (extra iron buildup in the body).
- Abuse of alcohol Excessive alcohol consumption can have a number of negative effects on your sexual health, including decreased testosterone and other reproductive hormone production.
- Internal organ dysfunction. Damage to your liver (cirrhosis) and kidneys (renal failure) can impair testosterone production.
- Abuse of anabolic steroids, which are use to increase muscle mass and strength, can interfere with your natural testicular function, potentially resulting in testicular atrophy (loss of testicular size) and lower testosterone levels.
- Testicular injury or infection Injuries to the testes, such as physical trauma or complications from a lack of blood supply, can result in low testosterone. Infections of the testicles, such as orchitic, can impair testosterone production.
- Aging. Male testosterone levels fall by about 100 ng/DL every decade on average. This means that as you get older, your chances of dropping below a normal testosterone level increase.
How to treat late-onset Hypogonadism or Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone can be. If you suspect you have low testosterone, contact your doctor or make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in male sexual or hormonal health, such as an urologist or endocrinologist. Your healthcare provider may recommend testosterone therapy or suggest changes to your habits and lifestyle to treat low testosterone levels.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Testosterone replacement therapy entails supplementing your testosterone levels with synthetic testosterone. Your healthcare provider may prescribe testosterone as an injectable medication, topical testosterone gel, tablets, or skin patches as part of TRT.
Some forms of TRT involve implanting a small testosterone pellet under your skin and replacing it every few months.
Although testosterone therapy is usually effective, it can have side effects. During treatment, your healthcare provider will work with you to monitor your blood pressure, lipids, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and other important health markers.
Changes in Lifestyle
It is frequently possible to naturally maintain your testosterone levels by making changes to your diet, activity level, habits, and overall lifestyle.
A healthy lifestyle is an important component of healthy testosterone production in general. Getting enough high-quality sleep, eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, and exercising on a regular basis are all linked to healthy testosterone levels.
Your doctor may advise you to make lifestyle changes on your own or in conjunction with testosterone therapy.
The Takeaway
As men age, their testosterone levels gradually decrease. This can be caused by a number of factors mention above. A simple blood test can be use by a doctor to determine your testosterone level. If your symptoms are caused by low testosterone or male late-onset hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy is a common treatment.
If you want to know what your testosterone levels are or If you’re concerned about low-T symptoms or have tried therapies that haven’t worked, consult your physician or urologist. Feeling better begins with a discussion of your needs, goals, and lifestyle. If you want to learn more about this condition, consider a few Clinical Trials in Texas to gain a better understanding of how to manage the condition and potential treatment options.
