In This Article
In This Article
Testosterone is a hormone most commonly linked with men. Women have testosterone, too, typically in smaller amounts.
When testosterone levels in men are low, it affects their health and well-being. Symptoms of low testosterone vary. Typically, it includes feeling less-than-your-best.
Testosterone is present at birth, but it increases during puberty. It’s the hormone most often related to sex drive. For men, it plays an important role in sperm production.
In addition, testosterone plays a role in:
Men with low testosterone have a condition known as low-T. Low-T produces a variety of symptoms, including:
Testosterone levels gradually decrease with age. It’s not natural or normal to not feel your best because of low-T.
If you suspect your testosterone levels are low, speak to your doctor. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help. However, not everyone is the same. Your treatment will depend on the cause of the issue.
There are other health conditions that cause a decrease in testosterone. These include:
Women experience low testosterone, too. Symptoms of insufficient testosterone levels in women include:
Other causes of low-T in women are:
Testosterone plays an important role in health. It is most commonly linked with:
Too much or too little testosterone affects both physical and mental health.
Men and women with sufficient testosterone levels feel healthy. As testosterone levels decrease, they’ll feel weaker and less vibrant. This is even when it's due to normal reduction with age.
Low testosterone plays a role in a man’s:
It is possible to supplement testosterone levels when needed. Speak to your doctor if you believe low-T is affecting your well-being.
Making healthy dietary and lifestyle choices can help you feel better. These might not boost testosterone levels, but they help you feel your best overall.
Feeling less than your best affects all aspects of your life. Testosterone triggers a variety of side effects. These side effects often lead to worsened feelings.
For example, if your testosterone is low, you’ll experience:
Low testosterone becomes a cycle of feeling unbalanced and unhealthy.
Testosterone therapy helps alleviate the problem. However, it’s important to understand the cause of the issue. You should also consider the side effects of testosterone therapy.
The most common cause of low testosterone is age. The older men get, the less testosterone their body produces.
Men of any age can have conditions that impact testosterone levels. The two most common include:
This is caused by an underactive testes. It manufactures insufficient levels of testosterone. This affects growth and overall health. It is usually hereditary. However, it might occur due to illness or injury.
Hereditary conditions that affect testosterone production include:
Damage to the testicles linked to low testosterone include:
This is due to injury to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. These are the parts of the brain responsible for testosterone production.
Diseases that trigger secondary hypogonadism include:
Additionally, these factors play a role in testosterone production:
A combination of several factors causes low testosterone. Someone could have a condition and age exacerbates the problem.
You and your doctor can discuss issues linked to low testosterone production. Then, you both determine the best course of action. Testosterone therapy is the most common form of treatment for low-T.
In many cases, lifestyle changes are enough. These can resolve issues with low testosterone.
However, if this isn’t the case, testosterone therapy is an option. TRT is most often given to adolescent males with hypogonadism. This triggers normal development. It ensures there is enough testosterone needed for growth and well-being.
Despite the effectiveness of TRT, it does trigger side effects, including:
Work with a doctor experienced with hormone issues. It reduces the risk of side effects. Most side effects are eliminated when TRT is carefully regulated.
There are conflicting studies about TRT. Some claim it increases a man’s risk of prostate cancer and cardiac issues. Research is still ongoing on this matter.
Testosterone supplementation is given to men with low-T. It is also used to treat hypogonadism. However, not enough data show that supplements are as effective as TRT.
Aging men with decreasing testosterone levels supplement to improve:
Unfortunately, studies show supplements may cause severe side effects. One found that men over 65 increased their risk of heart health problems. This is when using supplemental testosterone gel.
In a separate study, men under 65 doubled their risk of heart problems. This is when using testosterone supplements.
Risks increase when someone uses testosterone supplements to deal with aging. This is as opposed to using it to treat hypogonadism.
Other side effects of testosterone supplementation include:
Speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about your testosterone levels. You can:
In some cases, testosterone replacement therapy is the answer. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. It all depends on the signs and symptoms you’re experiencing. You and your doctor can discuss your options.
