What Happens When a Man’s Testosterone is Low?

What Happens When a Man’s Testosterone is Low?

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone produced by the testicles. This hormone plays an active role in a man’s body with both physiological and psychological impacts.

It affects these central functions:

• Physical energy
• Sexual drive
• Fertility
• Muscle mass production
• Fat and red blood cell regulation

Men need to have balanced testosterone levels to have a well-rounded and healthy life. Premature dip of testosterone may lead to severe dysfunctions and bodily alterations. This condition might happen at any point in a man’s life.

Here are the symptoms a man with low testosterone levels will most likely experience:

Low sex drive: Men commonly experience a gradual decrease in their sexual desires with age. This happens as testosterone levels begin to go down as a man’s age crosses thirty. But when this hormonal imbalance occurs at an early stage, a man’s sex drive significantly drops.

Erectile dysfunction: The inability to maintain a firm erection for sexual intercourse is associated with erectile dysfunction. The disorder brings along a trail of both physiological and emotional issues. The struggle to get an erection affects the sexual potency of a man. It also leads to frustration and self-esteem issues.

Low sperm production: Low testosterone negatively affects the role of men in reproduction. The unhealthy sperm count upon ejaculation lowers a man’s fertility. Hence, most men with insufficient levels of this hormone produce low semen volume. There is also the added presence of weak sperm cells.

Dip in energy: Another physical symptom is extreme exhaustion. This symptom might leave the sufferers exhausted despite enough rest and sleep. Some men might experience constant lethargy, which dampens their physical activities and productivity.

Weight gain:The fall of testosterone levels increases body fat, a precursor to other health troubles. Aside from obesity, one may develop enlarged breast tissue or gynecomastia. The rise in a man’s estrogen levels increases higher fat in breast tissue. Estrogen is ideally the primary female sex hormone.

Excessive hair loss: Hair loss is one of the alarming symptoms of low testosterone. Premature hair loss in men affects the appearance and lowers self-esteem. Aside from a balding head, one may notice bald patches in other hairy parts of the body. Excess hair loss calls for a medical examination of the hormone levels in unaware men.

Decreased muscle mass: Testosterone plays a vital role in muscle mass development. A decrease in these hormone levels can cause loss of muscle mass. Although the function of the muscles remains unaffected, there can be a change in the appearance of the male physique.

Bone mass thinning: Testosterone is needed to strengthen bone density. Osteoporosis is a bone disease also found in men with low testosterone. The bones become brittle and prone to fractures and injuries. The fragility of the bones can prove fatal in older men.

Mental health problems: A man becomes emotionally and mentally vulnerable as physiological problems trigger self-esteem issues and frustration. Recurrent mood changes like irritability, frustration, and lack of motivation become frequent. Eventually, one may develop depression.

Reduced testicle size: Some men might experience a reduction in the testicular volume. The tissues in the testicles, scrotum, and penis shrink. The male genitals start looking smaller in size. Another symptom might include an unusual softness in the scrotum.

Other worrying symptoms: Low testosterone might further bring about memory loss and insomnia. There is also the risk of anemia due to low blood count. Following symptoms include abnormal heart palpitations and dizziness. Sleep apnea is another serious medical condition which disrupts breathing mid-sleep.

How to identify low testosterone level

A Man’s testosterone levels peak between adolescence to early adulthood. The male hormone levels go down by about one percent after the age of thirty.

Other than age, testosterone levels decrease due to diseases, injuries, and lifestyle. A simple blood test in the morning is usually required to check testosterone levels.

Normal testosterone levels may vary in individuals, depending on their bodily functions and other factors. The American Urological Association (AUA) provided recent guidelines on the average testosterone level in men at 300 nanograms per deciliter. Anything below the given range is considered low.

What food kills testosterone?

Lifestyle can raise significant concerns about testosterone levels. One’s diet plays an essential role in the fluctuation of testosterone levels.

Here are eight foods that kill testosterone levels:

Alcohol: Alcohol intake is one of the reasons for decreased testosterone levels in men. The role of alcohol intoxication in fluctuating hormone levels may vary. However, researchers conducted a recent study of 19 adults who consumed 30-40 grams of alcohol daily. Their testosterone levels dipped by 6.8% in 3 weeks.

Soy Products: Although soybeans have multiple health benefits, they have a role to play in decreasing testosterone. Such foods include soy protein, tofu, edamame, soy milk, and tofu. The richness in phytoestrogens in soy products heightens estrogen activity in the body.

Licorice root: This is a well-loved ingredient used in sweet foods and beverages. Licorice root is known to manipulate hormone levels in the body that potentially decreases testosterone. A study showed a drastic testosterone drop of 26% in 25 men in just a week. The subjects consumed 7 grams of licorice root daily.

Flaxseed: Flaxseed is known to be high in lignans, which are compounds that flushes out testosterone from the body. A study conducted on 25 men with prostate cancer confirmed the speculation. The subjects used flaxseeds as diet supplements. The results showed a large shrink in their testosterone levels.

Processed Food: Processed foods have added trans fatty acids in high quantities. They cause an array of diseases while also reducing testosterone levels. A study in 209 men showed a 15% dip in testosterone in those who consumed high trans fats. Such snacks also lower sperm count and affect testicular health.

Vegetable oils: Polyunsaturated fatty acids are a common ingredient found in vegetable oils like soybean, canola, corn, and cottonseed. A series of studies revealed a decline in the male sex hormone after consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Other foods: Some more foods that lower testosterone levels include – dairy products, mint, bread, desserts, and pastries.

Certain foods still require in-depth, solid research. However, men concerned about fluctuating testosterone levels might do well to monitor their diets.

The crux of the topic shows that men’s overall health largely depends on balanced testosterone levels.

This hormone profoundly impacts a man’s sex life and both physical and mental well-being. One should note that an excessive increase in testosterone level is not healthy either.

One should keep a tab on bodily changes and strive for normal testosterone levels.