Every human produces hormones that aid them in sex-related activities. Women produce estrogen and testosterone but they produce more estrogen while men produce more of the hormone called testosterone.
This hormone aids in the development of the male characteristics like a deepened voice, facial and body hair, broad shoulders and a masculine physique.
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone and it is responsible for the development of the significant sex organs in men, both inner and outer. Having a healthy average of testosterone level in your body aids you to perform various functions.
Functions of testosterone include:
Testosterone is known to play a vital role in fertility
Considering the fact that it is the essential sex hormone, this fact might not be a significant cause of surprise for you. Testosterone plays a vital role in the production of sperm in the testes of a man. Healthy levels of testosterone are responsible for the proper production of sperm in men.
Testosterone is closely related to personality traits
Having a well-to-do personality, has a lot to say about your testosterone levels. If you are someone who gets easily angry, frustrated, irritated or depressed for no reason then you need to have your testosterone levels checked.
If you assume that only women’s behaviors are greatly influenced by their hormone, well you would have to strike out that thought because that is not what it is. You could develop a high-risk taking behavior if you have high testosterone levels. This is to show that testosterone affects your mood and behavior.
Testosterone plays an exciting role in love
A healthy testosterone level enables a man to go through pair bonding periods like when he starts being a father effectively without a reduction in respect for his partner.
- It develops the sex organs in men, such as the penis and testes.
- It increases the level of libido in men
- Testosterone aids in the development of muscle mass and strength.
- Testosterone helps boost your bone density and strength.
Testosterone is a type of hormone which is known to naturally decrease over time. As men start to age, they begin to experience a lowered level of testosterone in their bodies.
They could begin to experience issues that signify that they might have low testosterone levels like:
Reduced sex drive
With a low testosterone level, men begin to experience a lack of interest in sex. They are less attracted to sexual activities and detest engaging in them.
Erectile dysfunction
Following a reduction in the testosterone level in man is erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection. And most men suffering from low testosterone levels are faced with the problem of erectile dysfunction.
It is important to note that testosterone does not single-handedly cause an erection. It causes receptors in the brain to secrete nitric oxide. This nitric oxide further triggers series of chemical reactions that result in construction.
However, there are other causes of erectile dysfunction like diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, smoking, depression, excessive consumption of alcohol and stress.
Low production of sperm
Knowing full well the various functions of sperm. It is imperative to say that without sperm, a man is regarded as infertile. Testosterone is the hormone that is responsible for the production of sperm in men.
Having low production of sperm is an indication that the level of testosterone in a man is small and unhealthy. Most men with low testosterone levels often experience a reduction in the level of sperm produced during ejaculation.
Loss of hair
This is very common among me with low testosterone levels. They begin to experience loss of hair and baldness. For women, they start to experience male pattern baldness. Although asides from low testosterone causing hair loss, genetics can also be a reason for baldness.
Fatigue
With a low level of testosterone, men cannot carry out their usual functions without quickly getting tired. Most men who suffer from fatigue during their old age are suffering from it because of their low testosterone levels.
If you noticed that you are still tired even after getting enough rest or you are too tired to exercise or perform some functions, then it is very likely that you are suffering from low testosterone levels.
Loss of muscle mass
A significant function of testosterone in the development of muscle mass in the human body. With a lowered testosterone level, your body cannot be well built. You would begin to experience a decline in your muscle mass as a result of low testosterone levels.
Excess body fat or obesity
Testosterone is a type of hormone that helps in stripping you of your body fat. If you have a low testosterone level, you might notice that you begin to add extra weight that you cannot quickly burn or you turn obese.
Mood changes
A significant symptom to show that you have a low testosterone level is the changes in your mood. With a lowered testosterone level, you begin to notice changes in your mood for no reason. You could feel irritated or depressed.
Affected memory
Another symptom that shows you have a lower testosterone level is your lack of ability to concentrate or recall activities. Research has proven that low testosterone leads to a decreased cognitive function, and they wane naturally with age.
Reduction in testicle size
A primary function of testosterone in the development of the male sex organ which is the testicle. With a decrease in your testosterone levels, you might begin to experience shrinkage in the size of your testicles, although there are other cases of reduced testicles that did not occur as a result of low testosterone levels.
Low blood counts
Testosterone has been said to play a vital role in the production of red blood cells. With a reduction in the testosterone level of a man, the creation of red blood cells begins to diminish, and this could lead to anemia.
Some of the signs that are accompanied by anemia include problems with sleeping, abnormal rapid heart rate, leg cramps, dizziness and problems with concentration.
Having low testosterone is often regarded as ‘off-balance’ because it is not the healthy or normal testosterone level expected of a man to produce. Low testosterone levels in men can cause grave dangers which can cost them their self-confidence and esteem.
The various side effects of low testosterone levels include:
Physical changes
With a lowered testosterone level, there are lots of adverse side effects for the physique of a man. Testosterone is known for increasing the muscle mass, growth of hair and formation of the masculine form in men.
In the physical body of a man, decrease in testosterone levels can lead to an increased body fat, a decrease in the muscle mass and strength in a man, fragile bones that can easily be fractured, loss of hair,tenderness or swelling in the breast tissues, effects on cholesterol metabolism.
Sleep disturbances
As a result of lowered testosterone levels, you can start to experience fatigue, insomnia, sleep apnea and various other changes in your pattern of sleeping. Low testosterone is a significant factor in the decrease in the amount of time you sleep.
Emotional changes
A significant effect of low testosterone levels in the various mood swings that occur with it. You could start to experience many feelings like depression, or even trouble with concentration and memory.
Men could begin to experience low self-esteem and low confidence in them. It is important to note that testosterone is closely related to the feelings a man expresses.
The feeling of depression and sadness is closely associated with low testosterone levels in men. Depression could arise from a lowered sex drive, irritability and fatigue that is connected with decreased testosterone levels.
Low testosterone can be caused by various reasons. Naturally, the testosterone levels in men begin to wane at the age of thirty.
Other causes of low testosterone levels include:
- Injury to the testicles
- Infection of the testicles(orchitis)
- Hormones used in the treatment of prostate cancer, steroids, medications and opioids inclusive.
- Testicular cancer
- Tumors or dysfunction of the pituitary gland.
- Chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer
- Obesity or excess weight gain
- Chronic kidney or liver disease.
- HIV/ AIDS
- Hormonal disorders
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Metabolic disorders like hemochromatosis, which occurs as a result of too much iron in the body.
Conclusion
Testosterone is known as the vital hormone responsible for the development of the physique and sex organs in men. Testosterone aids in the production of sperm, it increases the interest for sex in men, aids in the production of red blood cells and provides for a masculine form in men.
Testosterone levels begin to naturally wane with time as men start to age. Low testosterone levels can affect the body of a man in several ways. It leads to erectile dysfunction, lack of interest in sex, mood swingsand difficulty in sleeping. A decrease in the testosterone level of a man is normal and can be rectified.
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