By Grant Mya
Low Testosterone is an early type of male alopecia and is often referred to as hypogonadism. Low testosterone causes a variety of physical changes which include: reduced sexual desire. lowered facial and body hair production (including total baldness). decreased libido.
Physical symptoms of low testosterone production include the inability to develop and maintain an erection, inability to achieve orgasm, decreased muscle mass and strength, and the decrease in libido. Sometimes symptoms are only present in one or the other areas. The low testosterone production can affect the way the body responds to physical and emotional stressors such as depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, fatigue, and injury. As men age, testosterone production naturally slows down which causes the symptoms mentioned above to occur.
Because men begin to lose physical strength and muscle mass as they age, they also experience a decrease in muscle mass and strength which further decreases their ability to perform sexually. As a result, low testosterone levels commonly cause erectile dysfunction in men and decrease libido by lowering the levels of the “feel good” hormones, serotonin and endorphins. In addition, the use of illegal drugs and alcohol can deplete the levels of testosterone in the body. This can further impair the body’s ability to function properly. In short, testosterone production and function decline as men get older.
Low Testosterone or Hypogonadism often affects sports players, truck drivers, construction workers, and astronauts. Astronauts suffer from this condition during long space missions. Truck drivers can be injured at work while driving because it decreases their ability to perform simple tasks such as pulling a trailer. It also affects their reaction time, because the lack of testosterone makes it difficult for them to think and control their actions. Low levels of testosterone also affect the amount of energy people have, making it difficult for them to exercise and do physical activities.
Low Testosterone and Sleep Apnea It is believed that low testosterone levels can contribute to the development of sleep apnea. This sleep disorder is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, which can lead to a shallow and wake some sleep. Apnea sufferers often experience daytime sleepiness and have large amounts of fatigue during the day. This can contribute to weight gain, high cholesterol levels and other physical changes that are associated with decreased energy. Low levels of testosterone are known to contribute to these symptoms.
Low Testosterone and Muscle Mass With age, the amount of testosterone produced by the body declines. The decreased production can be attributed to a decrease in the number of natural receptors on the muscle cells, which make it difficult for the muscle cells to absorb testosterone. Therefore, there is an increased need for testosterone supplementation to help increase muscle mass. Many health experts believe this condition is the most common cause of man boobs. A doctor can determine if there is a deficiency of testosterone in the body by testing the muscle mass in the chest, although this test cannot confirm the diagnosis.
Testosterone, androgen, is secreted in male sex organs. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics like breast development and voice deeper than female. Testosterone is produced by the pituitary gland and is essential for normal sexual development in men. The male reproductive system also produces the hormone in small quantities. The primary function of testosterone is to produce the male characteristics like voice, body hair growth, and testicular mass. When the level of testosterone is low, disorders related to male sex organs are also likely to occur. Consider that the symptoms may actually be another dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. There may be ways to resolve symptoms more easily, like premature ejaculation exercises for men to delay orgasm if the underlying issue is PE for example.
In males, low testosterone can be found in the brain, testicles, scrotum, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Testosterone is produced by the body and controlling testosterone levels naturally is more usual than taking prescription testosterone pills. Doctors usually measure testosterone in ng/dl. The following tables exhibit healthy levels of testosterone in males.
Bodybuilders and weightlifters are prone to low testosterone because they expose their testicles to extreme physical stress. Excessive strength training, anabolic steroids, and sudden weight loss all result in reduced production of testosterone. Sperm count in men is also affected by low testosterone as sperm production is affected by an accumulation of luteinizing hormone. Testosterone helps to stimulate the production of sperm, so a low level of it may result in infertility. As for the testicles, testosterone helps to control gonadotropin secretion and the pattern of luteinizing hormone that mark the release of the baby’s sperm.
Depression, diabetes mellitus, and high levels of blood pressure can also lead to low testosterone. These are mainly due to abnormal thyroid functions and the medications used to treat hypothyroidism. Poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are also causes for low testosterone. Hair loss is a common manifestation of low testosterone, since this hormone helps to keep hair tufts. When this hormone is in excess, the hair becomes brittle and weak.
Another cause of low-to testosterone is infection or surgery. Certain diseases like Addison’s disease, pituitary gland tumors, and cysts on the ovaries can alter the normal functioning of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testicles, and adrenals. Cysts produced primarily by infections can cause low testosterone production. Testosterone production is most sensitive in the gonads. Thus, gonadectomy increases sexual dysfunction and impairs fertility.
Sudden declines in body weight and muscle mass can lead to decrease in testosterone. Decreased levels of the hormone may also be caused by decreases in the ability of red blood cells to transport calcium. Muscle mass, red blood cells, and bone density all contribute to maintaining optimal testosterone levels. Because muscle mass and red blood cells help to build and repair tissues, they are also important for body maintenance.
