Symptoms of low testosterone in men

Testosterone refers to the anabolic steroid androgen, which is the main hormone that nature has assigned to one of the important roles in the male body. Why is this hormone so important for the stronger sex?

Testosterone is produced by Leydig cells in the testes of the testis, as well as by cells of the adrenal cortex. Under the influence of this hormone, secondary sexual characteristics are formed in boys: the skeleton develops, the muscles grow, the voice timbre changes, and the male-pattern hairiness of the body occurs. Testosterone controls the male body and its capabilities throughout life, regulates spermatogenesis and is responsible for sexual desire and normal potency.

The human body is designed so that the content of testosterone in the blood of men changes with age. From about 30 years of age, the level of this hormone begins to decline. There are certain parameters by which you can establish low testosterone in men and its causes. The full functioning of the male body depends on the content of testosterone in the blood. The indicator of this hormone is considered normal in the range of 12-22 nmol / l. When the testosterone content is less than 5 nmol / l in the body of men, health problems begin.

Causes of Low Testosterone

A decrease in testosterone causes problems not only in the genital area, but also in the activity of the whole organism. Lack of this androgen in men is often related to age. At a young age, testosterone levels are at normal levels. After 50 years, with aging, there is a decrease in the production of the male hormone.

But for some, the decrease in testosterone levels begins much earlier due to:

• Constant and prolonged stay in a stressful state, leading to loosening of the nervous system;
• Lack of feasible physical exertion on the body;
• Unhealthy diet, overweight;
• Living or working in an environmentally unfriendly place, etc .;
• Bad habits like smoking and alcohol abuse;
• Some medications.

Such reasons for a decrease in testosterone cause a high release of adrenaline into the body, which blocks the production of the hormone.

A decrease in the level of androgen in a person can also be with an increase in blood pressure, shortness of breath, when the lungs do not cope well with inhalation and exhalation. Changes in heart rate, infectious diseases, kidney problems also contribute to a decrease in testosterone. If a person does not monitor his diet, then undigested fat appears, which, accordingly, leads to excess weight and an increase in blood sugar levels, as well as a high content of harmful cholesterol in the body. Diseases of the joints, in which osteoporosis can develop, a violation of the thermal conditions for finding the testicles of men can also cause a lack of testosterone.

Low testosterone levels in men determine their psycho-emotional state. Nervous stress, material difficulties negatively affect the production of testosterone and can lower its level. If a man is constantly in a state of stress, then the production of this important hormone may stop completely.

Testosterone deficiency can also be caused by medications and procedures. For example, in the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases, drugs are prescribed that reduce the production of male hormones. Genetic predisposition plays a role.

Signs of low testosterone in men

The lack of male hormone with its symptoms cannot go unnoticed. Its symptoms appear in the same way as in women during menopause: a feeling of hot flashes, fever, excessive sweating.

The first symptoms of a lack of testosterone in men

Here are the first symptoms that the stronger sex should be wary of:

Sexual attraction to the female sex disappears or decreases. Erectile function is impaired, spontaneous erections, which healthy men should have 3-4 times a week, decrease in the morning or are absent altogether.

Show low testosterone in men common symptoms:

• intimate problems arise, libido decreases.The presence of a psychological factor plays a more important role than the real difficulties of sexual activity, a person falls into a depression, loses his taste for life, is often absent-minded and forgetful, poorly controlling his attention;
• insomnia or wakefulness and sleep problems occur;
• bone hardness decreases, pains in the musculoskeletal system excruciate;
• physical strength and endurance decreases;
• shortness of breath with increased sweating;
• loss of consciousness of a short-term nature, weakness is felt throughout the body, complaints of rapid fatigue;
• coordination of movement is impaired, there are problems with joints, there may be injuries associated with osteoporosis;
• there are signs of shrinking testicles;
• decreased semen volume during ejaculation;
• blood pressure rises;
• suffer from frequent urge to urinate at night;
• muscle growth slows down;
• emotional state becomes unbalanced, mood often changes with a tendency to depressive state;
• concentration of attention is reduced, memory is impaired;
• the skin becomes dry, prone to increased formation of wrinkles;
• body fat appears, like in women, on the sides and on the thighs;
• there is an abnormal growth of the mammary glands (the phenomenon of gynecomastia);
• hair density in the armpits, face, pubis decreases, there may even be complete baldness;
• bone tissue loses its firmness and density;
• laboratory tests show anemia (low hemoglobin in the blood).

In addition to visible symptoms, decreased testosterone levels are characterized by factors affecting androgen levels. For some, when testosterone levels fall, the content of female hormones increases at the same time, i.e. estrogen in the body.

All these symptoms should make men listen to their bodies and think, and then seek medical help from a doctor.

Potential consequences of testosterone deficiency in men

Lack of testosterone in men can lead to various undesirable consequences. In adolescence during puberty, a deficiency of this hormone can lead to insufficient virilization. This means that the formation of a male-type body can be expressed in a weak degree. There may be an increase in fat deposits, insufficient muscle mass, poor body and armpit hair growth, narrow shoulders, and a high-pitched voice.

There are other manifestations characteristic of the formation of a female body.

In the boy's behavior, one can notice the increased emotionality inherent in the female sex, as well as vulnerability, excessive susceptibility, a tendency to a depressive state.

In mature and elderly men, low levels of testosterone production can provoke fragility of blood vessels and fragility of bones. Disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, in the functioning of the kidneys and genitourinary system are possible, and the risk of developing senile dementia also increases. In addition, problems on the skin with the appearance of acne may be troubling. Decreased libido, problems with potency and erection can lead men to infertility.

Preventive measures

If you follow certain life rules, you can come to a normal level of testosterone.

Normal levels of this hormone affect brain function, help maintain optimal weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis.

Manifestations of male hormone deficiency means that a person should pay attention to his health, organize a balanced diet and stop taking medications that negatively affect testosterone production.

With a testosterone deficiency, self-diagnosis and self-medication cannot be performed, ignoring the symptoms can lead to unpleasant consequences. Need advice from an experienced specialist, the attending physician will prescribe the necessary therapeutic procedures according to the indicators of the blood test for testosterone levels. With proper treatment, the hormonal background will return to normal, the state of health will improve.