Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in the human body, especially for men. It plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues. It helps to maintain muscle mass and sexual desire and is vital for a man’s overall health and well-being – both physically and mentally.
When your body doesn’t produce enough testosterone, a condition known as hypogonadism, the effects can significantly reduce your quality of life. It can affect everything from your mood and hair growth to more severe medical conditions like anemia and osteoporosis.
The only way to know if your testosterone levels have dropped is by having comprehensive lab work done by a qualified physician, but there are symptoms that may be more noticeable. Here are five warning signs of low testosterone that you should watch for.
Lower sex drive
Testosterone plays a significant role in your sex drive – in fact, it’s what fuels it. When your testosterone levels drop, you may find yourself less interested in having sex, and when you do have sex it may be less pleasurable than it used to be.
Hair loss
Hair loss in men can be caused by a lot of factors, including stress and genetics, but it can also be related to your testosterone level. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a converted form of testosterone, and as testosterone levels drop, DHT levels rise. This can cause hair follicles to shrink and die, leading to patchy hair growth and premature baldness.
Decreased muscle mass
Losing testosterone can also cause you to lose muscle mass. That’s because muscle cells have receptors for testosterone that help maintain muscle fibers. But without testosterone, this process stops and your muscle mass can’t be maintained.
Erectile dysfunction
Along with aiding a man’s sex drive; testosterone also plays a key role in achieving an erection. It does this by stimulating receptors in the brain that produce nitric oxide, the tiny molecule that helps spark an erection. If your testosterone levels are too low, your body won’t produce the nitric oxide, leaving you unable to achieve or maintain an erection.
Less energy
Testosterone doesn’t only help regulate your sex drive or maintain muscle mass – it also helps generate energy. When testosterone levels drop, you may experience sleeping problems like insomnia, increased problems with sleep apnea, and overall fatigue.
Think you may be suffering from low testosterone levels? Contact Eternity Health today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a rejuvenated life.
