Hormone Replacement Therapy
5 Signs of Low Testosterone Men Shouldn’t Ignore
Necessary for the development of male sexual characteristics, sperm production, and muscle mass, testosterone also supports a man’s general health and well-being. Testosterone levels are highest in older adolescent and young adult males. Around age 35, the testicles begin decreasing the production of testosterone due to age-related physiological changes involving the endocrine system. Sometimes called “androgen deficiency” or “low T”, declining testosterone levels in men often cause symptoms that significantly reduce the quality of life in older men.1, 2
5 Signs of Low Testosterone
- Erectile Dysfunction
If you are a man over 35, have never had problems with getting an erection and are gradually finding it more difficult to attain and keep an erection, you may be suffering from low testosterone. Doctors aren’t exactly sure how testosterone contributes to achieving an erection but know through research that men with low T experience more incidences of erectile dysfunction than men with normal testosterone levels.
- Lack of Interest in Sex (Low Libido)
Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for a man’s sex drive. Low libido may also play a role in why men with androgen deficiency have problems getting an erection. A chemical called nitric oxide is needed to facilitate erections and testosterone stimulates brain receptors that “tell” blood vessels to start releasing nitric oxide.
- Lack of Energy/Fatigue
Men over 45 who start feeling tired all the time even though they are getting enough sleep may be experiencing low T. Testosterone plays a major role in regulating metabolism during a man’s late teens and 20s. Without enough testosterone in the bloodstream, metabolism levels tend to drop, along with a man’s energy and stamina.
- Increased Body Fat/Loss of Muscle Mass
Men who remain physically active and eat a healthy diet may notice an accumulation of abdominal fat and reduced muscle mass if they have low T. Excess breast tissue is also a common sign of low testosterone.
- Changes to Mood and Cognition
Just like estrogen helps moderate mood and improve memory and concentration in women, testosterone is also partially responsible for a man’s cognitive and psychological health. Research shows that increasing testosterone levels in older men may improve aspects of cognition and memory.3
How to Increase Testosterone Levels Naturally
If you suspect low T is causing these symptoms, here are some tips that may help promote the production of testosterone:
- Get Enough Quality Sleep
During the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, testosterone levels are at their highest. Sleep is necessary for restoring and replenishing all physiological systems, including the endocrine system which is responsible for stimulating testosterone release. One study found that men sleeping for only four hours had significantly lower blood testosterone levels than men who slept eight straight hours.4 - Eating Well and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Obesity, smoking, and using drugs or alcohol can interfere with the ability of the testicles to produce enough testosterone to prevent symptoms of low T. Testosterone production certainly depends on your overall health but especially depends on the health of your circulatory and endocrine systems. Carrying too much weight, putting carcinogenic chemicals in your bloodstream and abusing addictive substances can all have a negative impact on a man’s testosterone levels.5 - Reduce Stress in Your Life
When the body is constantly under stress, whether physical or mental, a hormone called cortisol floods the bloodstream to help you respond to stress. Unfortunately, sustained high levels of cortisol can cause numerous health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, ulcers and low testosterone. The American Heart Association suggests spending time outside walking, hiking and just “getting away from it all” regularly to help reduce stress. - Bioidentical Replacement Hormone Therapy for Treating Low T
The easiest and most effective method treatment men rely on today to replenish testosterone loss after 40 is bioidentical replacement hormone therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural, plant estrogens that are almost identical chemically to testosterone, estrogen and other hormones. In addition, BHRT does not carry the health risks that synthetic hormones carry, such as cancer, blood clots and heart disease.
If you suspect you have low T, contact us today to learn more about the many benefits of BHRT.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16734-androgen-deficiency
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322647.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5079177/
Necessary for development of male sexual characteristics, sperm production and muscle mass, testosterone also supports a man’s general health and well-being. Testosterone levels are highest in older adolescent and young adult males. Around age 35, the testicles begin decreasing production of testosterone due to age-related physiological changes involving the endocrine system. Sometimes called “androgen deficiency” or “low T”, declining testosterone levels in men often cause symptoms that significantly reduce quality of life in older men.1, 2
5 Signs of Low Testosterone
- Erectile Dysfunction
If you are a man over 35, have never had problems with getting an erection and are gradually finding it more difficult to attain and keep an erection, you may be suffering from low testosterone. Doctors aren’t exactly sure how testosterone contributes to achieving an erection but know through research that men with low T experience more incidences of erectile dysfunction than men with normal testosterone levels.
- Lack of Interest in Sex (Low Libido)
Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for a man’s sex drive. Low libido may also play a role in why men with androgen deficiency have problems getting an erection. A chemical called nitric oxide is needed to facilitate erections and testosterone stimulates brain receptors that “tell” blood vessels to start releasing nitric oxide.
- Lack of Energy/Fatigue
Men over 45 who start feeling tired all the time even though they are getting enough sleep may be experiencing low T. Testosterone plays a major role in regulating metabolism during a man’s late teens and 20s. Without enough testosterone in the bloodstream, metabolism levels tend to drop, along with a man’s energy and stamina.
- Increased Body Fat/Loss of Muscle Mass
Men who remain physically active and eat a healthy diet may notice an accumulation of abdominal fat and reduced muscle mass if they have low T. Excess breast tissue is also a common sign of low testosterone.
- Changes to Mood and Cognition
Just like estrogen helps moderate mood and improve memory and concentration in women, testosterone is also partially responsible for a man’s cognitive and psychological health. Research shows that increasing testosterone levels in older men may improve aspects of cognition and memory.3
How to Increase Testosterone Levels Naturally
If you suspect low T is causing these symptoms, here are some tips that may help promote production of testosterone:
- Get Enough Quality Sleep
During the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, testosterone levels are at their highest. Sleep is necessary for restoring and replenishing all physiological systems, including the endocrine system which is responsible for stimulating testosterone release. One study found that men sleeping for only four hours had significantly lower blood testosterone levels than men who slept eight straight hours.4 - Eating Well and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Obesity, smoking and using drugs or alcohol can interfere with the ability of the testicles to produce enough testosterone to prevent symptoms of low T. Testosterone production certainly depends on your overall health but especially depends on the health of your circulatory and endocrine systems. Carrying too much weight, putting carcinogenic chemicals in your bloodstream and abusing addictive substances can all have a negative impact on a man’s testosterone levels.5 - Reduce Stress in Your Life
When the body is constantly under stress, whether physical or mental, a hormone called cortisol floods the bloodstream to help you respond to stress. Unfortunately, sustained high levels of cortisol can cause numerous health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, ulcers and low testosterone. The American Heart Association suggests spending time outside walking, hiking and just “getting away from it all” regularly to help reduce stress. - Bioidentical Replacement Hormone Therapy for Treating Low T
The easiest and most effective method treatment men rely on today to replenish testosterone loss after 40 is bioidentical replacement hormone therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural, plant estrogens that are almost identical chemically to testosterone, estrogen and other hormones. In addition, BHRT does not carry the health risks that synthetic hormones carry, such as cancer, blood clots and heart disease.
If you suspect you have low T, contact us today to learn more about the many benefits of BHRT.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16734-androgen-deficiency
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322647.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5079177/
