Testosterone is a sex hormone often associated with men, though women have small amounts. If a man has a low level of testosterone, the symptoms can include erectile dysfunction (ED), and reduced bone mass and sex drive.
Testosterone production can also slow as a person ages, so its common that many older men have symptoms of low testosterone.
The American Urology Association define low testosterone as less than 300 nanograms (ng) of the hormone per deciliter (dl) of blood. They also reported that about 2 in every 100 men have low testosterone.
Below are common signs and symptoms of low testosterone in men. These symptoms can also be experienced by women. And, as with any personal medical needs, it’s always recommended to contact your doctor with any questions.
Decreased Libido
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in libido, or sex drive. While it’s normal for a man’s libido to decrease with age, low testosterone levels can also greatly reduce the desire to have sex. If low testosterone is the reason for a decrease in libido, it will be much more apparent than when a decreased libido occurs with aging. Since low testosterone can occur at any age, for a number of reasons, if you notice a change in your sexual desires, it’s beneficial to talk to your doctor about the possibility of testosterone imbalances.
Semen Reduction
Semen is the fluid that makes up the majority of male ejaculate. This type of fluid helps the sperm move toward the egg. Testosterone helps stimulate the production of semen, and reduced levels of semen can indicate a reduction in testosterone. It can also lead to trouble with fertility.
Reduced Muscle Mass
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.
Problems Sleeping
Millions of adults have trouble getting the recommended amount of sleep every night, regardless of if they have normal testosterone levels. When you add a low testosterone balance, it’s not uncommon to suffer even more. A lot of men who experience low testosterone also suffer from sleep apnea, which can make things even worse.
Problems With Erections
Low testosterone can make it difficult to get or maintain erections. Testosterone stimulates the penile tissues to produce nitric oxide, which starts several reactions that result in an erection. If levels of the hormone are too low, a man may not be able to get an erection.
The following are other factors that can cause erectile dysfunction:
- smoking
- thyroid-related issues
- high cholesterol
- stress or anxiety
- alcohol consumption
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
Treatment for Low Testosterone
If you’re experiencing any of these signs of low testosterone, it’s important to first talk to your doctor. Many of these symptoms are common and could be reflective of other problems. To ensure that you’re getting the proper treatment, a medical diagnosis is needed. At Mantality Health, our doctors will facilitate a series of tests, review your individual health history and provide a medical diagnosis to confirm if you are suffering from low testosterone, only will we proceed with treatment.
Get in Touch
These common symptoms can easily negatively impact your day-to-day life and while it can get discouraging, it’s important to remember that hormonal imbalance is something that happens and with the right efforts, can be alleviated. We are here to guide you in the right direction and answer all your questions so you can get your life back on track. Get in touch with us through our contact page as we are available for telemedicine!
