Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

So the lower your levels, the less likely you’ll be to get or keep an erection. According to the American Urological Association, men with low testosterone levels have a higher prevalence of fatigue than men with normal testosterone levels. If you’re noticing it’s hard to get and keep an erection, it’s worth getting your testosterone levels checked. Plus, plenty of men walk around feeling crappy ginseng for testosterone – https://rm.com.pt – years, not even thinking their hormones could be to blame.

Testosterone surges during puberty and is critical in the development of distinctly male features — a deeper voice, facial and body hair, muscle strength, and sperm. Low testosterone can make it difficult to achieve or maintain erections. However, low testosterone itself is not always a direct cause of erectile dysfunction. People with high testosterone levels can find it difficult to achieve erections, and people with low levels the opposite. Testosterone plays a role in the development of muscle mass, and reduced levels of the hormone can result in a significant loss of muscle mass. It is a common misconception that only women and elderly males develop osteoporosis, which is not true.

The body relies on a balance of hormones to carry out everyday functions. Everyone can benefit from an unbiased, listening ear now and then. I’ve referred many patients to see a therapist whose concerns resolve without testosterone therapy. However, the quantity of testosterone in the medication may not be enough to raise levels, or the body may not be able to absorb them sufficiently. Around the time that menopause begins, a female may be more likely to have less testosterone because the ovaries are producing less hormones. When your testosterone level is low, you may not be able to get or keep an erection. When the cells are full of glucose, the body stores the excess in fat cells, which may lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

A shift in sleep patterns can be frustrating, and amplify the other signs of low testosterone on this list. In addition to low libido, a man may also experience difficulties in achieving and maintaining an erection. Joshua Calvert, M.D., is a urologist who specializes in vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, Peyronie’s disease, testosterone management, and male infertility. Emily Shiffer is a freelance writer specializing in health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness.

Most of the time, there is no apparent reason why a person has low testosterone. In this case, testosterone replacement therapy is a common and successful treatment. Testosterone is a type of hormone produced primarily in the gonads.

There’s a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Recognising the signs of low testosterone is therefore important for timely intervention. Testosterone is a vital hormone that supports male characteristics and overall health. Montefiore Einstein advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Some men go to their doctor’s office to receive testosterone injections. Frequency can vary from one injection every week to one injection every 10 weeks.

This slow decline is a natural part of aging, but some experience a drop so severe it leads to noticeable symptoms. Managing low testosterone involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical treatments tailored to individual needs and health conditions. Understanding its production and regulation helps in comprehending why deficiencies occur. The hormone is primarily synthesized in the Leydig cells of the testes, stimulated by the luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. Any disruption in this signaling pathway can lead to reduced testosterone production. There are also ways to help maintain your sperm production while being treated for low testosterone levels.

Fat cells produce an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen— and an imbalance in your testosterone and estrogen levels can increase body fat. High aromatase and estrogen activity reduces the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn reduces testosterone production. That’s because testosterone plays a starring role in the influence of fat distribution, bone density, and red blood cell production. It’s also a critical factor in building muscle and bone mass, producing sperm, and driving sexual desire and function. Some patients have come to us from low-T clinics with testosterone levels as high as 3,000.

A 2020 article suggests doctors may prescribe testosterone to menopausal females with low sexual desire if hormone replacement therapy alone is not effective in relieving symptoms. There is currently a lack of research into the treatment of low testosterone in females. Many doctors are much more concerned about high testosterone levels. However, many females with low testosterone levels do not experience these symptoms.

It’s also responsible for the development of the reproductive system and its function. For some men, improving sleep, reducing stress, and following a healthier diet can significantly boost testosterone levels. Strength training and regular exercise are especially effective. Testosterone levels typically peak in your late teens and early 20s.